Formation of a hedge from spruce. Planting a hedge from spruce with your own hands

A hedge looks much more aesthetically pleasing than a fence made of boards, corrugated board, chain-link mesh. For its formation, you can use different plants, one of the suitable options is spruce.

Advantages and disadvantages of spruce hedges

A spruce hedge is an option that is not without undeniable advantages:

• year-round decorative (spruce - evergreen tree);
• durability (the life span of most varieties reaches 300 years);
• a wide range of varieties (you can form both a border and a high hedge, the length and color of the needles, the shape of the crown vary);
• crown density (spruces reliably protect the site from the penetration of neighboring pets, strangers, “extinguish” gusts of wind, trap street dust, car exhaust, prevent snow, muffle sounds);
• growth rate (after 10–15 years of active growth, its rate slows down sharply, the need for pruning practically disappears);
• frost resistance to at least -30 ° C, often up to -45 ° C (spruces successfully survive almost throughout Russia, there is no need to cover them for the winter);
• unpretentiousness in care;
• health benefits (coniferous trees secrete phytoncides useful for immunity) and a wonderful aroma.

A spruce hedge can be both a low curb and a blank fence

The disadvantages of such a "green fence" are also present:

• fire hazard (spruce wood impregnated with resins and essential oils can flare up from the slightest spark);
• the inability to quickly fill a hole in the hedge, formed as a result of the death of a tree;
• the tree's dislike for heat (in the southern climate, the hedge needs abundant watering, often the needles burn out in the sun);
• branched root system (nothing can be planted next to the hedge, if any plants are “strangled”);
• possible shading of the site (refers to tall spruces, crown density is an advantage, it is also a disadvantage).

In a hot dry climate, eating does not feel too comfortable

Video: what a spruce hedge looks like

Suitable species and varieties for the formation of hedges (list and photo)

When choosing the type of spruce for a hedge, they take into account mainly its ability to tolerate regular pruning. Due to the varietal diversity, such a “fence” can be entered into almost any landscape design.

Prickly spruce (including blue species)

The main feature is beautiful needles. Shades range from "dusty" khaki to silver or dove blue:

Gray spruce (Canadian)

A very unpretentious tree that survives in almost any conditions and does not require special care. The needles are short - 1–2 cm:

• Albert Globe. The rounded crown eventually turns into a pyramidal one. Limit dimensions - height 1 m and width 0.7 m. The needles are light green, very dense, from a distance it looks like a continuous surface.

  Spruce Alberta Globe is distinguished by the density of needles on the branches

• conica. Mature spruce - an almost regular dome up to 2 m high and base width up to 1.5 m. It does not need to be formed. Lateral shoots are densely arranged, the needles are bright green.

  Conica spruce does not need the help of a gardener to form a crown

• Sander's Blue. Slow-growing spruce, reaching a width of 0.7–1 m and a height of 1.3–1.5 m by the age of 10. The crown is cone-shaped, becoming loose in dense shade. Young needles are bluish-silver, old ones are gray-green.

  Sander's Blue is one of the world's most popular ornamental spruce varieties.

Norway spruce (trees familiar to the Russian eye)

The most common option among Russian gardeners. The most frost-resistant, tolerates pruning:

• acrocona. A tree with a wide pyramidal crown (the height of an adult spruce is about 4 m, the diameter of the base is 2.5–3 m). The plant is decorated with numerous raspberry-purple cones that form at the ends of the shoots. Young needles are grass-colored, then darken greatly.

  Spruce Acrocona forms a crown in the form of a wide pyramid

• Ohlendorffii. Slow-growing spruce, height - 1.5–2 m. The rounded crown gradually turns into a pyramid. The needles are dense, bright green, sometimes with a golden sheen.

  The Ohlendorffii spruce changes its crown shape as it grows.

• Frohburg. A very original “weeping” spruce 2.5–4 m high. The branches seem to fall to the ground and spread along it, forming a kind of lush plume. The needles are short and hard, grassy-green in color. Decorative greenish-purple cones add.

  Frohburg spruce - a very original achievement of Swiss breeders

Video: the most decorative varieties and types of spruce

Hedge planting procedure and preparation for it

Spruce successfully takes root in the substrate of almost any quality, but loamy or sandy loamy acidic soil is ideal for it. The necessary acid-base balance is achieved naturally, due to the decay of falling needles and particles of bark. The worst option for a tree is highly nutritious dense or clay soil.

Propagation by seeds for decorative fir trees is not suitable - varietal characteristics are not transmitted in this way. Therefore, seedlings will have to be bought. It is better to purchase 3-4-year-old specimens - they take root faster in a new place and start growing.

Spruce, like any other seedlings, should be purchased from trusted suppliers with a solid reputation.

Spruces are planted with the onset of a dormant period. The tree has two. The beginning falls on April-May and September-October.

Do-it-yourself hedge planting procedure and scheme

The disembarkation procedure itself looks like this:

Immediately after planting, the spruce seedling is watered and the soil is mulched - its root system does not tolerate drying out

The scheme of planting a hedge depends on the dimensions of the selected spruce variety. Most often, trees are planted in two rows in a checkerboard pattern:

• Border (height - 40–50 cm). Between seedlings leave 30–40 cm, between rows - 40–50 cm.
• Fence (height 1.5–3 m). About 0.8–1 m between spruce trees with a row spacing of 2–3 m.
• Wall (3 m and above). Tree spacing and row spacing 3–4 m wide.

The distance between adjacent fir trees in the hedge and the row spacing depend on the size of the trees.

The nuances of caring for the "green fence": how to water, cut and feed

Spruce is an unusually non-capricious tree. But care is required even for her, especially if the climate for the plant is not very suitable:

• Watering. In cool weather, natural precipitation is sufficient. In the heat of spruce, it is necessary to water once a week, spending from 10–15 to 50–70 liters per tree, depending on its size. Once every 2-3 weeks after watering or rain, loosening to a depth of 10 cm is recommended.

  The intervals between spruce waterings are adjusted, focusing on the weather outside.

• Weeding. As a rule, if it is not needed, its root system takes away water and nutrients from other plants, a dense shadow from the crown exacerbates the situation.
• Application of fertilizers. Young spruces (up to 10–15 years old) are fed 3–4 times annually from April to August at approximately equal intervals with nitrogen fertilizers (30–40 g, diluted in 10 liters of water, per tree at a time). In mid-autumn, phosphate fertilizers are applied (50–70 g for the same volume). Mature trees in May and October are fed with special fertilizers for conifers.

  Fertilizer for conifers - a complex tool that takes into account the specific needs of such trees in macro- and microelements

• Pruning. Spruce cutting begins when it reaches the desired height. Depending on the growth rate, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a year (at the end of winter and in June-July). Prior to this, the top is pinched annually so that the spruce grows more actively in width, all side shoots are shortened by 30–50%. Then they are cut annually by about a third of the annual growth, until the crown reaches the required width and density. Then you only need to maintain the resulting configuration, limiting yourself to selective shearing of lateral growths, plucking out the central buds from them and not touching the main branches. Do not forget about sanitary pruning (removal of broken, dried, twisted branches). Remember that the spruce crown (with the exception of dwarf varieties) should be pyramidal. Otherwise, the lower branches will not have enough light, the fence from below will “go bald”.

  A spruce hedge is a wide variety of options. Its varieties vary in height, density, shape of the crown of the tree, shade of needles. In care, the plant is not particularly capricious, but there are some nuances that you need to know about in advance.

A spruce hedge can become an original decoration of a summer cottage. You can plant plants yourself, without resorting to the services of a gardener. Caring for a hedge is very simple, and this is what has become the reason for its high popularity among gardeners.

Spruces can be planted both to create single plantings and to obtain solid hedges. The height of the trees is different, and if it is necessary to make a fence, it is better to give preference to low-growing plant species. A Christmas tree is perfect, it is unpretentious.

Carefully choose a place for a hedge. It is best to plant spruces on the north side, then the site will not be shaded. This will create protection from the wind, enhance snow retention in the winter.

Benefits of a hedge

Why is it worth making a hedge of fir trees, because they grow long enough? There are several reasons, the following can be distinguished:

1. The color of the trees is rich and fresh. Regardless of the season, there will be an evergreen fence on the site.
2. Even in severe frost, the sites framed by such a fence look beautiful.
3. Buying seedlings is not difficult. Garden shops offer quality planting material.
4. A hedge can be grown in a few years. These trees are great for harsh climates. At the same time, it is not necessary to insulate the seedlings, they will even endure severe frost.
5. The fence will protect the space around the house not only from the prying eyes of strangers, but also from noise. In addition, a hedge of Christmas trees will become an obstacle to the penetration of dust.

Such a fence will serve for decades, becoming more beautiful from year to year. It does not have to be updated, you just need to look after the plants. Since spruce is a shade-tolerant plant, the fence can be made on the shady side of the summer cottage.

What types of trees are worth buying for a fence? You should choose based on your own preferences. There are many varieties of spruce, and the needles of the trees are not always green. There are plants with golden needles. Blue spruces look very impressive. The needles, which have a yellowish tint, look beautiful.

If you mix seedlings or plant them according to the scheme, moving from one variety to another, you can get a surprisingly beautiful hedge. But it should be remembered that a hedge from an ordinary spruce requires care.

Among the varieties that gardeners use to form green fences are purple and Siberian spruce. Gardeners prefer gray and thorny spruces. They love these plants because the trees allow you to create original hedges.

How to choose seedlings

Before choosing plants for a future fence, it is necessary to determine its height, purpose and location. A fence of plants, having the form of a trellis hedge, is planted in 1 or more rows. Such a living fence will have a dense structure, reach a height of 2 m. As a rule, such a fence is planted along the border of the garden, closing the sides.

For zoning the territory, you can make low fences up to 1.5 m. They can be openwork, not very dense.

When choosing varieties, it is necessary to take into account their ability to tolerate pruning. You can form spruces with your own hands, creating fences of different types. Plants can be given a square or oval shape, trapezoidal and triangular hedges look spectacular.

When buying planting material, you need to look at how an adult plant looks. To create green hedges, gardeners prefer common spruce. Many ornamental varieties of this species are sold in stores and nurseries. You can choose plants of different heights, you need to pay attention to the shade of the needles and appearance.

Spruce lives up to 300 years, every year the tree grows by 50 cm, it adds from 10 to 15 cm in width. Having reached the age of 10–15 years, the plant slows down its growth. Spruce tolerates shade well, so it can be planted near high fences, buildings, or in other shaded places.

It must be remembered that young Christmas trees can get burned from direct sunlight. The tree prefers acidic soil, grows well on loamy and sandy soils. Norway spruce does not tolerate stagnant moisture; excessive salinity of the soil is detrimental to it. Strong drying of the earth should be avoided.

How to make landings

If there is a desire to grow spruces from seeds, then you should not waste time on this. It will not work to get planting seeds with the desired decorative properties. Therefore, it is better to immediately purchase seedlings or buy small trees.

There are several landing options, it is worth listing the following:

1. Chess order. Seedlings are at a distance of 1 m, the plants are displaced relative to each other.
2. Linear way. Christmas trees are planted in a row, when planted in 2 rows, the plants are placed opposite each other.

Spruces should be planted in autumn when the soil is still quite loose. The ground must be moist. The procedure is carried out as follows:

1. A cord is pulled along the selected site. This is necessary so that the future fence is even.
2. They dig a trench to a depth of 50 cm, the width is determined by the size of the root system of the trees. The bottom needs to be well loosened. If groundwater comes close enough to the surface, the trench is made deeper, and drainage is poured to the very bottom. It can be made from broken bricks, gravel or expanded clay can also be used. On the drainage spread the earth, which was previously raised from the trench.
3. They make a chatterbox out of clay. Before planting, the roots of the seedlings are dipped into the mixture, so the root system does not dry out. After that, the trees are placed in a trench, gently straightening the roots. The soil should be slightly moist.
4. Trees are covered with peat, compost can also be used. It is necessary to ensure that the root neck of the seedlings is on the same level with the ground. It can be deepened by 2 cm.
5. The soil around the Christmas trees should be compacted, and then watered well. Make mulching, it can be done using sawdust or peat. In addition, gardeners use grated bark or wood chips for these purposes.

Newly planted trees do not require special care, but regular watering should be provided to the plants. Remove weeds in time, loosen the ground at the roots. These are the main care steps.

Spruce is unpretentious, so you do not have to spend a lot of time caring for a green hedge. But to achieve a magnificent appearance, do not forget about top dressing. The first time the plants are fed in early May, the second time microelements are applied to the soil in September. It is best to buy ready-made fertilizer intended for coniferous plants. Do not forget about prevention, to protect plants from pests. It is necessary to process spruce with special preparations.

Immediately after planting, plants should not be engaged in their formation. They should have enough time to take root. The extra load will hurt. Only sanitary pruning can be done if there are prerequisites for this.

When the trees grow up, you will have to allocate more time to care for them. At the end of June, it is worth introducing additional top dressing with nitrogen fertilizers.

Pinching small branches is allowed only after the trees grow up. This is required to make the crown denser. Apical shoots are shortened in May or June. Similarly, it is worth doing with annual shoots.

In order to give the side branches the desired shape, they can be cut to 1/3 or even 1/2 of the length. The tops should be cut only if the trees have reached the planned height. This procedure stops the growth of fir trees this year, but thanks to it, new buds appear. Of these, new shoots will appear next year, the plant will bush.

You should pinch the trees until the green fence acquires the desired density. The procedure is performed every year. When pinching twigs, the shape of the hedge should be taken into account.

Conclusion

There are many advantages of green fencing, but first of all, it is worth mentioning the spectacular appearance. In addition, there are many other practical points. Since many gardeners dream of being fenced off from their neighbors, but do not want to build an impenetrable fence, fir fencing is a great option. This hedge looks completely natural.

Coniferous hedges look great and are very functional: dense and prickly, they protect the site from both unwanted eyes and intruders, and also enrich the air with phytoncides. However, depending on the density of planting and the type of plant, you can give the hedge the most diverse look.

In I shared the secrets of laying a hedge of coniferous plants. And today we will choose the best contenders for its creation, pay attention to their features. We will divide hedges into molded and free-growing ones.

Plants for molded hedges

Prickly spruce

Prickly spruce (Picea pungens) tolerates shearing well and can form impenetrable thorny hedges and walls. In this case, the plants should be placed in a row after 1 m.

Prickly spruce grows slowly, but, unlike common spruce and other conifers, it tolerates urban conditions (smoke, gas, dust, soot), although it can also be damaged by aphids and red spider mites. It is to this type of spruce that most of the decorative forms of the so-called e. blue, or silver, belong.

Norway spruce

Norway spruce (Picea excelsa, syn. P. abies) also tolerates shearing very well. But with a dense landing (after 40 cm), it forms high and dense living walls that can not be cut.

In terms of branching density and impermeability (even for small animals), this is the best of the hedges. The crown starts from the ground and does not show signs of thinning, probably because it grows slowly in the first 10 years.

For borders, you can use decorative forms:

• "Echiniformis" - a dwarf form 0.2 m high, gray-green needles, sometimes yellow-green;

• "Gregoryana" - height 0.6-0.8 m, gray-green needles.

Common juniper

Common juniper (Juniperus communis) can be used for both molded and free-growing hedges and walls, undersized forms for borders.

And from the found decorative forms:

• for curbs suitable "Compressa" (dwarf with a dense columnar crown, up to 0.8 m high, grows slowly);
• for free growing- "Hibernica" (the crown is narrow, columnar, for which it is called northern cypress);
• and from "Depressa Aurea" with multi-colored needles (in late spring - golden yellow, then - bronze, in winter - green), you can create spectacular colorful hedges.

Planting density in a single-row living wall is 0.8-1.0 m. Juniper is valued as a soil-protective and soil-improving species. Grows slowly. Durable. Little is damaged by pests, but one of the rust fungi can develop on the needles.

Red cedar

Juniperus virginiana (Juniperus virginiana) tolerates shearing well and holds an artificial shape, therefore it is suitable for hedges and walls formed by a shallow haircut from the sides (at the same time, a significant part of the cones remains on the branches, which enhances the decorative effect of the hedge).

This species is undemanding to the soil: it can grow on dry, infertile, calcareous, waterlogged, tolerate slight salinity. Racks in urban conditions. Little is damaged by pests, however, one of the rust fungi that are dangerous for pears can develop on the needles. Lots of decorative shapes. The pyramidal shape of this juniper can replace evergreen pyramidal cypress in places where it does not grow. It is very decorative due to small bright blue cones, which cover bright green branches in abundance.

Juniper Cossack

Juniper Cossack (Juniperus sabina) perfect for single-row wide borders. In this case, plants should be placed with a minimum planting density (40-50 cm), and as they grow, regular strong pruning of protruding branches should be carried out.

This species is especially promising as a soil-protective rock on crumbling slopes and slopes. Prevents the germination of weeds, quickly creates a dense cover due to layering and seed propagation. Drought-resistant, can grow on rocky, sandy and even chalky and saline soils. Little is damaged by pests, but one of the rust fungi can develop on the needles.

It is interesting to use decorative forms of this type:

• "Tamariscifolia" - the height of the bush is 1 m, the needles are light green, with a bluish tinge.

• "Buffalo" - height 0.4-0.8 m, emerald green needles.

Photophilous, but tolerates partial shade. It is undemanding to the soil.

Thuja western

From western thuja (Thuja occidentalis) you can create any shape, as it perfectly withstands a shaping haircut. For a hedge, it is planted after 40-50 cm; for living walls - after 0.8-1.0 m.

After 7 years of annual shearing, it forms a fairly dense and very decorative wall, green from the ground itself. When laying a living wall from a columnar shape of a thuja, a shaping haircut of the sides is not required. It grows relatively slowly. It is undemanding to the soil, but develops better on fertile moist loamy, sandy and sandy soils. Gas-resistant, not afraid of winds. Quite resistant to pests and diseases.

In addition to the main view for hedges, you can use the following decorative forms:

• "Holmstrup" - conical crown, height up to 4 m;

• "Smaragd" - conical shape, moderate growth;

• "Fastigiata" - a columnar form that replaces the evergreen pyramidal cypress in the northern regions, the needles do not turn brown in winter;

• "Rheingold" - height 1-2 m, young needles - pink, in summer - golden, in winter - bronze);

• "Columna" - narrow columnar form, strong growth;

• "Brabant" - columnar form, growing rapidly;

In dry areas it is better to use thuja orientalis (Thuja orientalis), or oriental flathead.

In the more southern regions of Russia for molded coniferous hedges, along with the species mentioned above, you can use yew berry and Lawson's cypress.

Yew berry (Taxus baccata)

Since the Renaissance and until now, yew has been considered the best material for topiary art - it withstands well any shaping and curly haircut. Suitable for single row borders, hedges (low forms) or living walls (high pyramidal forms requiring almost no form cutting). Grows very slowly. In the first 3-4 years, it grows by 1-3 cm. It is very durable (lives up to 4 thousand years). Wind resistant, tolerates dusty and gassy atmosphere. Resistant to pests and diseases, sometimes can be damaged by root rot. Especially decorative during the fruiting period (from August to November).

Particularly effective forms:

• "Fastigiata Robusta" - a columnar form 4-8 m high;

• "Fastigiata Aurea" - a columnar form up to 6 m high with golden needles;

Lawson's cypress

Due to the variety and abundance of forms (especially in the color of the needles) Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)- one of the most popular conifers in Europe for hedges. It tolerates shearing well and can form molded colorful hedges and walls. Narrow-conical, columnar and dwarf forms are suitable for free-growing plantings.

Decorative forms:

• "Ellwoodii" - the crown is conical, the needles are bluish-gray in youth;

• "Alumii" - narrow conical crown, bluish-gray needles;

• "Columnaris" - a columnar form with bluish-green needles; when planting, placing plants in a row after 30 cm;

• "Golden Wonder" - height up to 2 m, distance between plants - 1 m;

Until the age of 5, cypress grows very slowly, later - much faster. Gives abundant root shoots. Relatively drought-resistant, undemanding to soil fertility; satisfactorily tolerates urban conditions; quite resistant to pests and diseases.

Plants for free growing hedges

Spruce gray conical

Gray conical spruce (Picea glauca var. albertiana)"Conica" forms beautiful thorny hedges when planted in a row every 1 m.

This is a compact dwarf tree 2-6 m high with a dense, strictly pyramidal crown. Grows slowly. Photophilous, rather drought-resistant, prefers neutral or slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Sensitive to smoke and spring sun. Can be damaged by aphids, red spider mites.

Siberian fir

Free-growing living walls can be created from Siberian fir (Abies sibirica).

It is especially decorative in spring - the purple color of young cones and the brownish or yellow-red color of male strobili. Prefers fertile, moderately moist soils; sensitive to flue gases and soot. Quite resistant to pests and diseases.

mountain pine

Mountain pine (Pinus mugo) recommended only for free-growing hedges and borders, as shearing does not increase branching and crown density.

Planting with a distance between plants of 0.5 m. It grows slowly. It is undemanding to soils, drought-resistant, satisfactorily tolerates urban conditions. Resistant to pests and diseases. It is especially decorative during the flowering period, when the crown is strewn with large yellow and pink male strobili.

I hope that among these plants you will find those that will please you and will decorate your site for many years!

Among the various types of hedges, spruces planted in one or more rows are one of the most common options. Beauty, usefulness and economic benefits are the components of its popularity. A spruce hedge is not only beautiful, but also practical. Making this at your dacha is not difficult if you follow certain rules.

An example of a fir hedge

Spruce varieties

Not any type of spruce is suitable for creation. Each variety has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose wisely.

Hedge device option

Prickly spruce

Blue, or prickly spruce stands out among other varieties with an unusual color of needles. It can be from bluish-blue to greenish-gray with silvery tints. Blue spruces grow up to 25–30 meters in height, but there are also dwarf varieties. Young trees have a conical crown shape, while older trees have a cylindrical crown. In Russia, prickly spruce is poorly received, however, the use of special dressings based on cones during planting can significantly improve survival rates.

Eastern spruce

Oriental spruce, originally from the mountainous Caucasus and Asian countries, has small needles, up to a centimeter long. Oriental spruce does not tolerate frosty winters, and when planting prefers shaded places with good soil moisture. It grows very slowly and lives up to 400-500 years. In nature, Oriental spruce can reach 65 meters in height.

Gray spruce

Canadian, gray or white spruce in nature can reach a height of 15–20 meters. The length of the needles is from 1 to 2 cm. In the upper part of the tree, the crown has a blue-green tint, and in the lower part it is bluish-white. The dwarf variety Alberta Globe has a spherical shape, while other types of Canadian spruce more often take the form of a cone. This species is considered winter-hardy and very unpretentious.

Siberian spruce

Siberian spruce grows in the forests of Siberia, Kazakhstan, Northern Europe, Mongolia and China. The crown has a pyramidal shape, mature trees reach 30 meters in height. Siberian spruce does not like sandy and swampy soils, it tolerates frosty winters well. Siberian spruce grows for a long time, young seedlings take root with difficulty.

Spruce purple

Purple spruce comes from the highland forests of China. It got its name because of the purple hue of the cones.

It looks like a purple spruce

A dense crown with small, often located needles in an adult tree has the shape of a cone. In height, purple spruce can reach 15–20 meters. Purple Spruce loves the light, but grows quite well in the shade, prefers neutral soils, and tolerates low temperatures well.

Norway spruce

Ordinary, or European spruce is widespread in Central Russia. It can reach a height of 30–50 meters. The needles of European spruce are quite long, up to 2.5 cm. The tree prefers sandy and loamy soils without excessive moisture. The annual growth is about half a meter in height, therefore it is considered a fast-growing species. Low temperatures down to -45 ° C are not terrible for spruce, but spring frosts are very sensitive for the tree.

Benefits of fir hedges

It has a number of advantages over other types of live fences:

• Evergreen trees will please the eye of the owner of the site both in winter and in summer;
• Some varieties have very colorful buds when they bloom, which also adds to the aesthetics of the green fence;
• A few years after planting, a hedge of Norway spruce or other fast-growing species will become impenetrable. This ensures not only protection from prying eyes, but also from the penetration of outsiders into the territory;
• Most types of spruces grow in one place for a very long time, without requiring special care;
• The needles of fir trees emit useful phytoncides, so the air next to them is always fresh;
• A fir fence perfectly retains snow and prevents the penetration of wind.

Spruce is a plant that is great for organizing a hedge in a summer cottage.

The process of growing a living fence from spruce

To speed up the process of hedge formation, choose fast-growing varieties, such as Norway spruce. It is also possible.

Growing methods

There are three ways to grow an adult beauty Christmas tree:

1. Plant seeds.
2. Plant seedlings.
3. Plant cuttings.

The first method of spruce propagation is the most time-consuming and long. Small plants need special care: a clear watering system, maintaining the right temperature, constant care. In addition, the germination of different varieties of spruce from seeds ranges from 10 to 95%. A procedure such as seed stratification helps to increase this indicator.

This process involves imitation of natural growing conditions: placing the seeds in the sand in the fall and keeping them in the winter in a cold place. In the spring, the planted seeds are moved to a bright, warm place where they sprout.

This is how young spruce seedlings are grown in the nursery

At this time, it is important to produce timely watering of plants, maintaining a constant moderate soil moisture. The grown sprouts are transplanted into the ground at the end of spring and covered with a film or placed in a greenhouse. The situation is much easier with planting seedlings. They are sold in any nursery, and they can be planted in a permanent place immediately after purchase. Care for young trees comes down to periodic watering and pruning in the future. Reproduction of fir trees is also possible with the help of cuttings.

A cut of the top of a spruce at the age of five to eight years is made in spring or autumn. At the same time, about 20 cm of the plant is cut off (one-year-old shoot).

The end of the cutting is cleared of needles, after which it is planted in a greenhouse and shaded. Before planting the cuttings in the soil, the plant is treated with growth stimulants or a solution of potassium permanganate. Landing is made at an angle of 30 °. Plants are watered in the spring and summer every day, and in hot weather up to several times a day.

Coniferous hedge from Norway spruce

A coniferous fence made of common spruce is the best option for those who are not accustomed to waiting too long for the result. A fairly fast growth of this variety allows you to get a fairly dense hedge in a few years.
The process of forming a fence consists of several stages:

1. Site preparation.
2. Purchase of planting material.
3. Landing.
4. Spruce hedge care.

Let's consider each of the stages in more detail.

Site preparation

The landing site must be carefully prepared. The selected area must be cleared of other plantings. Holes are dug along the perimeter half a meter deep. The width of the pits depends on the age of the plant and the size of the root system. The distance between the pits should be at least one meter, and in the case of tall varieties it can be up to 2–2.5 meters.

Spruce hedge planting scheme

When choosing a place, it should be borne in mind that the common spruce loves sunlight, although it develops well in the shade. The growth of trees in places with heavily polluted air will be slowed down, and plants may be subject to various diseases. Especially suffers from gas pollution and smoke needles.

Spruce grows best on fertile soils of normal moisture, so you will need to pre-fertilize the soil before planting seedlings. Spruce does not tolerate stagnant water, as well as overdried soils and soils with excess salts. More suitable for coniferous trees is loamy or sandy loamy soil with a slightly acidic or acidic environment and good drainage. You can fertilize the soil with a layer of peat or compost poured into the ditch on top of the fertile layer. It is also important to provide comfortable drainage.
To do this, put a layer of broken brick or specially purchased drainage material on the bottom of the pit before fertilizing.

In landscape design, hedges are very popular. But fir-tree hedges have recently become especially attractive, such original and useful site decorations have a huge number of fans. A spruce hedge can be planted by hand, its creation is not so difficult. Christmas trees are great not only as single plantings, but also for creating original living fences. The height of these plants is different, and if desired, low-growing tree species can be chosen for such a hedge. It is best to place a hedge of Christmas trees on the north side so as not to shade the garden, thus creating protection from snow and wind in winter.

Spruces are slow growing evergreens with many benefits. For example, the color of plants is always green and fresh, regardless of the season, and even in the cold season, the site looks beautiful and solemn. It is not a problem to buy planting material, it is usually sold in nurseries, in special stores for gardeners.

What varieties of spruce are suitable for hedges?

In our climate, spruce is ubiquitous, and hedgerows are common. It should be noted that spruce needles are not always colored green. There are varieties of Christmas trees with needles of a golden, blue, yellowish hue. If you mix several varieties in one hedge and plant them according to a certain pattern, you get a surprisingly beautiful living composition. But it should be remembered that this requires timely care, which mainly consists of pruning.

Among the most common varieties used for spruce can be called oriental, gray, Siberian, prickly, purple. Many people like prickly spruce, the hedge from it is special, as it has needles of the original blue color.

Spruce hedge benefits

Among the huge number of benefits that such a fence provides you, first of all, one should name the amazing beauty of the fence, in the creation of which nature itself participates. In addition to purely aesthetic qualities, there are many purely practical amenities. In particular, many people dream of simply isolating themselves from the curiosity of passers-by and neighbors, and having an impenetrable high fence. Nevertheless, not everyone wants to surround themselves with a powerful concrete or brick wall, just as not everyone is attracted by a pile of metal.

Therefore, it is quite natural that the choice falls on a live fence made of common spruce. This is the best option. Coniferous plants are good because they are beautiful all year round, and even autumn does not seem sad when your house is surrounded by lush green fir hedges. As for the long-term, then in this case you win, because such a fence will delight you for decades, becoming more and more beautiful year by year. It does not need to be updated every season, and this is its significant difference from the usual fence.

hedge functions

In addition to the fact that thanks to the spruce fence, the house and the plot will be reliably protected from prying eyes, such a fence perfectly performs some other functions. Hedges can be used to mask dull landscapes outside the home or make unsightly buildings less visible on the property. At the same time, it is easy to arrange a pleasant, peaceful environment for relaxation on the site, in which you will feel at ease.

More practical functions include snow retention, besides, the dense interlacing of branches will not allow uninvited guests to enter the territory. The reliable barrier from wind, dirt, gases, noise is provided. With the help of common spruce, you can protect the air in the area from various pathogenic plants. Phytoncides help with this. Coniferous trees have a considerable height, and their greenery is dense and thick, so it always looks exceptionally beautiful. If desired, you can give such a fence any shape.

Necessary materials for creating a spruce hedge

To create a hedge from spruce, you need to have the usual gardening tools, which are available in almost every household, and of course, planting material. Here the question arises, what plants to choose so that the spruce hedge does not disappoint you? Some believe that it is more practical to plant mature plants so that a hedge is formed as soon as possible. But it is important to know that four-year-old seedlings of common spruce are no less suitable for this purpose. Firstly, their cost is lower, and secondly, they take root much better and begin to grow actively.

Plants should be planted in autumn in moist soil, the consistency of the soil should be porridge-like. A ditch should be dug along the entire length of the hedge, approximately 50 cm deep. The width should be commensurate with the root system of the seedlings. The top layer of soil, which is more fertile, is always dumped to the bottom of the ditch, then peat or compost is added. When planting seedlings, make sure that the root neck is planted no deeper than a couple of centimeters.

Of course, you need a thick hedge, so a distance of no more than 1 m should be left between spruce seedlings. During the entire first year after planting, the hedge needs to be watered, otherwise the needles will begin to crumble, especially in hot summers. At the same time, you need to find time to weed the weeds, otherwise they will take food and moisture from the seedlings. Soil loosening is carried out to a depth of 10 cm.

In order for your hedge to grow better, it is advisable to fertilize during the first three years, for this nitrogen fertilizers are used. Phosphate fertilizers are applied in autumn. Shearing plants begins from the second year after planting, and for this you need to purchase special garden shears. What is this haircut for? A hedge from a Christmas tree will take on a well-groomed appearance, the growth of side branches will increase, so in the lower part such a fence will not look bare.

When to prune?

Spring is the best time to prune Norway spruce seedlings in hedgerows. During this season, the branches grow quickly, and the cut is covered with fresh greens. You can prune in the fall, before the end of leaf fall. In addition, throughout the season it is desirable to remove dry twigs and some shoots that are characterized by weak branching.

If the hedge is regularly maintained, it will always be neat and will become a real decoration of your site. It is important to look after not only the upper part of the plant, but also the roots, periodically weed, mulch. In addition, for preventive purposes, you need to spray the hedge against pests and diseases with special preparations that can be purchased at gardening stores.

To create a noble hedge from ordinary spruce, in the first stage you will need the following tools:

• garden shovel (for digging a trench in which plants are planted);
• rake (for leveling the soil around plantings);
• pegs and propylene cord (to determine the straight line of the future hedge);
• garden trolley (for delivery to the planting site of seedlings and removal of stones or debris from the site);
• gloves (to protect hands from scratches during work).

In the future, to care for the hedge, you should purchase:

• garden pruner (for cutting branches);
• hoe (for loosening the soil around the Christmas trees);
• long watering hose.

In addition, it is advisable to prepare the necessary fertilizers in a timely manner, as well as means of protecting coniferous plants from diseases and pests.