Pine ordinary how to identify a diseased tree. Scotch pine classification

Scotch pine (Pinus silvestris) is a tree with extraordinary properties. Description of Scotch pine, its features. Why does pine often grow where many other trees cannot survive? How is our common pine used, including for medicinal purposes?

Greetings, dear reader!

Botanical names sometimes seem surprisingly unfair. Scotch pine is ordinary except for its commonness for us, even commonplace. What could be more familiar and simpler than a simple pine tree?

Meanwhile, the tree is amazing, even unique. According to its features, according to its meaning for a person. Already the widest distribution of pine can say a lot. After all, it grows from Spain to Eastern Siberia, to Lena and Altai. From south to north - from the subtropics to the forest tundra, penetrating the Arctic Circle.

A variety of climatic, soil conditions, relief on such vast territory very large. And everywhere the pine adapts well.

Scotch pine grows on dry sands and moss swamps, on fertile soils and on granite rocks, chalk slopes. It rises high in the mountains - in the south up to two and a half kilometers.

Pine trees rustle in the wind on the Baltic dunes, stand in slender columns in clean forests, look like stunted trees in swamps and in the harsh conditions of the North.

Scotch pine is unique in its healing properties. It is also an excellent building material. And in settling the disturbed natural complexes, in the settlement of new territories - one of the pioneers. Finally, just a beautiful tree, loved by many gardeners.

Description of Scots pine

Scotch pine (Pinus silvestris) belongs to the Pine family of the Coniferous department. This is a coniferous evergreen tree that can live for five hundred years or even more, reach fifty meters in height and one and a half meters in diameter (at the bottom of the trunk).

Alas, it is almost impossible to see such trees now. They simply do not exist, or they are extremely rare. Pine forests that have reached the age of 70-80 years are cut down. In the best case, the trees in them grow up to 20 - 25 meters.

Scotch pine grows well in almost barren dry soils.

The root system of Scotch pine perfectly adapts to living conditions. If the soil is loose, well-drained, and groundwater can be reached, it will grow a powerful tap root. On dry sands with deep groundwater, lateral roots grow, collecting moisture from a large area. The lateral roots of the pine are able to penetrate into cracks in the rocks, fixing the tree and also collecting precipitation. In swamps, the pine root system is poorly developed. It is these features, in the first place, that allow Scots pine to live in the most different conditions.

Scotch pine, like many trees, has two types of shoots - elongated and shortened. An elongated shoot is a section of the main trunk or side branch that grows annually, from one whorl to another. An apical bud is formed on it, and next to it are several lateral ones.

Next year, a new elongated shoot will grow from the apical bud, and lateral branches will grow from the lateral ones. A new whorl will form. By the number of such whorls, it is easy to determine the age of a young tree. We simply count the whorls and add two years - during the first two years they do not form on the seedling.

Scotch pine at a young age

The shortened shoots of Scotch pine are “stumps” 1–2 mm high, located on an elongated shoot in a spiral. Two (occasionally three) needles develop on each shortened shoot. Between them is a sleeping kidney.

If the top of the shoot is damaged or a significant part of the needles is damaged, the dormant buds on the surviving shortened shoots “wake up”. From each, a new elongated shoot can grow.

The needles of Scotch pine are trihedral, covered with a layer of a wax-like substance. On the underside, stomata are visible through which gas exchange with the atmosphere occurs. The length of the needles of Scotch pine is on average about five centimeters, although it can vary among pines in different living conditions, and belonging to its various intraspecific forms.

Scotch pine is perfectly recognizable by its needles

The needles on the tree last two to three years, then fall off along with a shortened shoot. In the forest floor, they lie in pairs.

The color of pine wood is slightly reddish, with whitish-yellow sapwood. The wood is permeated with many passages through which pine resin moves. They call her a sap. Gum performs important protective functions - it heals the wounds received by the tree, repels pests.

Resinous, light wood, usually growing evenly, easily processed. It can be used to make beautiful carpentry. Scotch pine wood is widely used as a building material.

Scotch pine is very photophilous. If young pines are still able to tolerate some shading, then with age this ability is completely lost. Therefore, in a closed pine forest, the branches on the trees are only near the top. The lower branches die off, and even the place where they grew is covered with bark. The tree becomes like a column.

In a pine forest, overtaking each other in the pursuit of light, tall straight trees grow, which are in demand among loggers. Separated, as well as growing on the edges, always have a developed crown, lateral branches, often very thick. Sometimes such trees are very picturesquely curved. Here is their chance to live long life more!

At the edge of the Scots pine grows powerful branches

In May, Scotch pine "blooms". About the flowering of pine, like other conifers, one can speak only conditionally, since specialized body reproduction - a flower - she does not have. But in the set, male cones are formed, collected in spike-shaped "inflorescences", producing pollen, and female cones, where eggs are formed.

I told in more detail about how the pine "blooms" (with photos). If you're interested, just take a look.

Scotch pine is a monoecious plant, that is, both male and female cones are formed on the same tree. But on some specimens, the “masculine principle” prevails, and the “feminine” on others.

This is how Scots pine "blooms" (male cones with pollen)

Pollination occurs in the second half of May - early June. At this time, there is a huge amount of pine pollen in the air, which can fly hundreds and thousands of kilometers from forests. Pollination occurred when pollen got under the scales of the female cone.

And then quite amazing events begin that distinguish the common pine from most trees, including conifers. A pollinated female cone tightly closes its seed scales, clogging all passages between them with resin. And inside, slowly, very slowly, pollen grains germinate.

It takes more than a year before the pollen tube grows to the ovary. During this time, the cone will grow very large, it will turn green. And only in the summer of next year does the fertilization of eggs occur in it.

Young (green) and old Scotch pine cones

It takes a few more months for the seeds to mature. They will ripen only by the middle of next winter. By this time, the buds will change color again, become gray-brown. But the seed scales are still tightly closed. And only from February to April, depending on weather conditions, the cones begin to open, dispersing the seeds. Thus, from pollination of the female cone to the maturation of seeds, 20 months pass in it - almost two years.

Seeds are equipped with a wing and are able to fly quite far from the mother tree. Most of them will simply die, failing to reach the ground. This is prevented by both grasses and forest mosses. True, there are pine trees in the forest and unwitting helpers. , other club mosses, growing in rings to the sides, suppress mosses, thereby contributing to the germination of pine seeds.

Yes and after forest fires pine quickly enough populates new territories. True, in burnt areas and clearings, pines become serious competitors. deciduous trees and shrubs, as well as herbs - and others.

Therefore, if we strive for a faster renewal of pine forests, then we are obliged to assist the pine in renewal. It is forest plantations, along with forest protection, that should be the first and most important task of forestry enterprises. In the spring, people come to the felling sites and plant seedlings of Scots pine grown in nurseries.

So ideally. In real life... The "tradition" that has developed, especially in the last twenty years - the main "task" of the forestry enterprises has become logging (!) - has not been overcome so far. Foresters should not be blamed for this. In any case, my tongue does not turn. This is how they earn their living, and for reforestation, and for forest protection work!

True, some changes for the better in last years yet there is.

Scotch pine use

Scotch pine, along with, is used by man to obtain excellent building materials. These are lumber different kinds beams, boards. Get rounded logs for building houses. Dry planed products are made from pine - profiled timber, floorboards, lining, as well as molded products (i.e. measured not in cubic meters, but in running meters) - platband, plinth, cashing, etc.

By extracting resin from living pine trees and processing it, a person receives many useful things for himself - medicines, varnishes, paints, plastics, etc.

A significant part of the harvested pine logs is processed into paper. Here I would add - unfortunately! For the production of paper, including high-quality paper, it is necessary to look for other sources of raw materials. Somewhere in the world they are already being mastered. At our pulp and paper mills, this is still being postponed ... Pine can be used better!

Medicinal uses of Scots pine

All parts of Scots pine are unusually rich in biologically active substances. These are resinous substances, and essential oil, terpenoids. Kidneys and needles contain, in addition, vitamins C, K, B2, carotene. Let's add here various macro- and microelements. Real pharmacy!

The needles of a pine forest, especially in summer, release a huge amount of essential oil and other substances that have a powerful bactericidal effect. The air of the pine forest is healing. Even such a most serious and most dangerous enemy human, like a tubercle bacillus. That is why the best sanatoriums for pulmonary patients were built in pine forests!

The evergreen Pine is a symbol of immortality and life force. Even in winter, when nature sleeps, this beautiful green tree reminds us that spring is coming soon.

In old times Pine branch considered magical. Western Slavs kept the branch for a whole year and only in new year holidays were replaced with a new one. She guarded the peace and well-being of the hut and was a kind of amulet against evil forces. And now in the villages you can find the "spruce" of Pine, standing in a vase as a decoration.

Pine name

Origin Pine names. One of the two versions Latin name tree from the Celtic word pin, which means rock, mountain, that is, growing on rocks, the other - from the Latin words pix, picis, which means resin, that is, a resinous tree.

Widespread in Russia Scotch pine". Most often it is found in the northern part of the country and in Siberia. Pine trees form forests mixed with other species, as well as pure forests, popularly referred to as "pine forests". The soil for the Pine is diverse - from arid and rocky places to swampy areas.

Pine He loves sunlight very much, so in the forest among his fellows, the trunk stretches up, from which it takes the form of a mast. No wonder they were previously used in shipbuilding.

On the Pine plain looks completely different. Spreading branches, she gains whimsical shape and curvature, dense crowns and zigzags. The trunk becomes stocky and powerful, like a hero.

Pine Needles have a green color with a bluish tint.

Pine Bark- reddish-brown and cast copper.

Pine Wood- a yellowish tint due to the high content of resin in it. Not in vain during the construction of a log house lower crown always consisted of pine logs to avoid rapid decay. That is why some buildings from the times of ancient Novgorod have been preserved.

When the Pine Blooms

Pine blossoms May or June depending on the weather. A mature tree is considered 80-100 years old.

In April, on quiet sunny days, standing next to this fabulous idol, you can hear a barely perceptible pine seed clicking. This dried up and the cones began to open, releasing the ripened winged seeds. These seeds will give life to new trees.

By the way, pine cones are an excellent fuel for Russian samovars and a favorite delicacy. protein and birds.

Medicinal properties of Pine

Pine is used as an expectorant, diaphoretic and diuretic. Pine has an analgesic property and kills disease-causing microbes in the body.

Sap- a thick light yellow liquid flows out of the damaged branches and trunks of the Pine. Possessing antibacterial properties, it prevents the penetration of harmful microorganisms into the trunk.

If there was no first-aid kit in the forest due to injuries and scratches, instead of a plaster, you can apply clean Zhivitsa to the wound. She is also able to shoot toothache, therefore, medicinal chewing gum is made from resin in some regions.

Has an antibacterial effect burning tar smoke. Rooms, cellars and barrels for salting are “fumigated” with smoke.

For pain in the joints and muscles, another component of the resin is used for grinding - turpentine.

Pine- then rare tree that goes into business all the way from the crown to the roots.

Pine Bark cut well. It can be used in the manufacture of floats and crafts.

AT traditional medicine Pine is used most often in the form of decoctions, tinctures and tea. Infusion and decoction of the kidneys of the plant are used for inflammation, cough, bronchitis, dropsy and liver diseases.

From pine needles prepare an infusion and decoction, used as a prevention of beriberi.

From pine pollen you can make a tea that helps with gout and rheumatism. Pollen mixed with honey is used after a major operation or illness.

In the Caucasus, young cones and flowers of Pine make delicious jam.

Amber- lain in the ground for millions of years pine resin. Thanks to the resin, scientists had a chance to study prehistoric insects frozen in Amber.

By the shape of the crown and branches of Pine, geologists can determine the composition of the soil.

During the war, in the villages, they removed the thin bark from the Pine trees and scraped off the "pulp" - the living layer of the tree. It was dried and mixed with flour.

Thin and long pine roots were used to make dense “root” dishes in which starch, sand or salt were stored.

Another use of the roots is as fuel in lamps. In the old days, when fishing on a sharp night, only Pine roots went into the lamp to avoid unnecessary crackling of firewood, which could scare away the fish.

In 1669, near Moscow, in the village of Kolomenskoye, the first wooden royal palace. Pine logs served as the material, while the carpenters did not use a single nail. In the palace there was a whole a thousand windows and 270 rooms. Unfortunately, to this day the structure has survived only in memories and drawings.

Photo credits: Diverso17 , GraAl , ALICE :) , VasiLina (Yandex.Fotki)

Pinus silvestris L.

Family - Pine - Pinaceae

Parts used - buds, needles.

The popular name is forest pine, borina.

Pharmacy name - purified turpentine (oleum terebinthinae rectificatum), pine essential oil (oleum pini), pine buds (tiriones pini).

Botanical description

Scotch pine is an evergreen coniferous tree up to 45 m high and with a trunk circumference up to 1.2 m, with a straight trunk, covered with reddish brown, exfoliating bark with grooves. A young tree has a cone-shaped, highly raised crown, with age the crown becomes rounded, and in old age it becomes flat or umbrella-shaped.

The bark in the lower part of the trunk is scaly, gray-brown, with deep cracks, much larger than that located at the top. On the trunk, bark scales form plates of irregular shape. The bark in the upper part of the trunk and on older branches is thin, peeling (in the form of flakes), yellow-red. In pines that grow in closed forest stands, the trunk is more slender with an openwork crown.

The shoots are green at first, then turn gray-light brown by the end of the first summer. Pine needles have a gray or bluish-green color, arranged in a bundle of 2 needles, up to 9 cm long and up to 2 mm thick, pointed at the top, slightly flattened, flat-convex in cross section, finely serrated along the edge. In young trees, the needles are longer, in old ones they are shorter, each needle stays on the tree for 2-3 years.

Pollination is carried out by wind, pine dusts in May - June.

Buds ovoid-cone-shaped, orange-brown, covered with thin layer white resin, sometimes in a thick layer.

Female spikelets with fertilized ovules begin to grow rapidly and turn into cones, up to 7.5 cm long, cone-shaped, symmetrical or almost symmetrical, matte from gray-light brown to gray-green when ripe. It blooms in May-June, ripens in November-December, 20 months after pollination, opens from February to April and soon falls off.

Male cones up to 12mm, yellow or pink. Cones are located singly or in 2-3 pieces on the legs lowered down. The scales of the cones are almost rhombic, flat or slightly convex with a small navel, rarely hooked, with a pointed apex. Pine cones ripen in the second year. The seeds of Scotch pine are black, up to 5 mm long, with a 12-20 mm membranous wing.

Homeland - Siberia, Urals, Europe, grows almost throughout Russia, with the exception of Central Asia and southern steppes. The age limit for Scotch pine is 300-350 years, but trees are known that are over 580 years old.

Collection and preparation

Pine buds are harvested in winter and spring, during the swelling period. The buds are cut along with the base of the shoot 2-3 mm long. Dry in the air on a canopy, or in ventilated areas. The finished raw material is fragrant, has a bitter taste. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years.

Active ingredients

Essential oil, tannins, pinipicrin, ascorbic acid, bitterness, flavonoids, coumarin, salts of manganese, iron, copper, boron, zinc, molybdenum, as well as a noticeable amount of carotene (provitamin A), vitamins K and E.

Healing action and application

Scotch pine has expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic and disinfectant properties. In folk medicine, Scotch pine is used for bronchitis, pneumonia, rheumatism and arthritis, cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pyelonephritis.

Turpentine obtained from pine wood, has an irritating and antiseptic effect and is widely used externally for radiculitis, myoside, joint diseases, bronchiectasis, bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis. Turpentine is added to baths and used for inhalation. In the form of inhalations, turpentine is used for bronchitis.

Pine pollen is useful for rheumatism and gout, as well as after serious illnesses and operations. The dusty male spikelets of pine are dried in the sun, and then the pollen is shaken out of them, which is brewed as a tea or taken with honey.

By dry distillation, tar is obtained from pine wood, which is widely used in the form of 10-30% ointments for the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, scabies and other skin diseases. Pine tar is a part of sulfur-tar soap, Vishnevsky's ointment, etc.

A decoction of pine buds is used as a disinfectant and expectorant for lung diseases accompanied by difficult to expectorate sputum, lung abscesses, dropsy, rheumatism, chronic inflammation of the bronchi, asthma, and an infusion of them for tuberculosis.

Infusion of needles has long been used to treat and prevent scurvy. In the form of inhalation, the infusion is effective for bronchitis and runny nose.

Pine buds are part of the breast fees. As a diuretic and disinfectant, a decoction of pine buds is used for urolithiasis. In addition, the decoction is used for inhalation and rinsing with tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis and acute respiratory diseases.

Pine essential oil is obtained from the needles, which is widely used in aromatherapy. It is used for cuts and ulcers, as well as for the treatment of arthritis, asthenia, gout, muscle pain, rheumatism, asthma and bronchitis, cystitis, urinary tract infections. It relieves fatigue, has a positive effect on nervous exhaustion and neuralgia.

Extract and infusion of needles are used to prepare coniferous baths, which are prescribed for nervous exhaustion, circulatory disorders, slowly healing wounds, skin diseases, as well as paralysis, gout, arthritis, articular rheumatism, asthma, respiratory diseases.

Recipes

- Boil 10 g of pine buds in 1 glass of water under the lid and let it brew for 2 hours. Strain and take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. (As an expectorant).

- Boil 15 g of pine buds in 0.5 liters of milk, boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day. (As an expectorant, diuretic).

- Sort out the dry resin-resin, put it in a glass jar or a bubble with a wide neck. Pour in 90% alcohol (alcohol should cover the resin by 1 cm), after a few days the resin will dissolve. Pour liquid resin-resin on an ulcer or wound, bandage it. Change several times within 2-3 days. (Ulcers, stomach cancer, externally - with furunculosis).

- Pour 0.5–1 kg of needles into 3 liters of water, boil over low heat for 10 minutes and let it brew for 6 hours. Strain and pour into a bath at a temperature of 34 ° C. (Neurosis).

- Pour 50g of pine buds with 2 cups of boiling water and put in a warm place for 2 hours. Strain, add 0.5 kg of sugar and boil the syrup. Give children 2 tablespoons to drink 3 times a day. ( ).

- 50 g of pine buds pour 0.5 liters of milk and boil over low heat for 20 minutes, strain and give to drink in sips - for adults during the day, for children - for 2 days. (Cough).

- Pour one part of pine buds with 10 parts of water and boil for 20 minutes. Strain and use for inhalation with tonsillitis and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

Rub purified turpentine oil mixed with vaseline (1:2) into the skin. (Neuralgia, sciatica, joint pain).

- Mix 1 kg of fresh chopped pine needles with 1 kg of sugar, pour 2 liters of cold boiled water, mix well and put in a warm place for 10 days, shaking occasionally. Strain and take 200 ml 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. (Chronic hepatitis).

- Mix 5 tablespoons of fresh pine needles with 2 tablespoons of rose hips and 2 tablespoons of onion peel, pour 1 liter of water over everything. Bring to a boil, boil over low heat for 10 minutes and let it brew overnight in warmth. Strain and take instead of water from 0.5 to 1 liter per day warm form. Prepare daily fresh broth. (Cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, cerebral vascular dystonia).

- Thoroughly mix 100g pine rosin, 20g beeswax and 20g sunflower oil. Put in a water bath and stir until dissolved. Apply the composition on a linen flap and apply to the sore spot for 2-3 days (for women, apply to the lower abdomen, shaving off the hair). This composition is enough for 4 patches. (Fibromyoma, on the uterus and ovary).

- 5 tablespoons of chopped fresh pine needles pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, boil over low heat in a sealed container for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and let it brew in a warm place for 10-12 hours. Strain and drink the whole infusion warm during the day, slightly sweetening the broth. (Oncological diseases of the genital area, multiple sclerosis, with diseases of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system).

- Pour fresh red cones in a loose layer into a jar for 2/3 of its volume, then top up with vodka and put in a dark place for 2 weeks. Strain and take from 1 hour to 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. (Heartache).

- Pour 10 g of pine buds with a glass of hot boiled water, close the lid and keep in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. Cool, strain and add to the resulting broth boiled water to the original volume. Take during the day in small portions. (Dropsy, rheumatism, chronic inflammation of the bronchi, asthma).

- Grind and mix in equal proportions the buds and needles of young pine branches. Pour 5g of the mixture with 1 cup of hot boiled water and boil over low heat for 20 minutes. Strain and take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. (Bronchitis).

- Steamed fresh pine sawdust, wrapped in gauze, apply for pain in the lower back and joints, sciatica, sciatica.

- 5 tablespoons of pollen pour 0.5 liters of vodka, put in a dark place for 2 weeks. Strain and take 25 ml before meals 3 times a day. (Tuberculosis).

- Mix turpentine with petroleum jelly (1:2), or lard (1:4) and apply for rubbing with - neuralgia, myositis, rheumatism, arthritis.

- With putrefactive bronchitis, inflammatory diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract, she is recommended as an antimicrobial and deodorant inhalation with turpentine - 15 drops per 1 glass of hot water.

Contraindications

Individual intolerance. Pregnancy.

Pine species that produce edible nuts are loosely grouped under the name cedar pines. However, it must be remembered that Cedar ( Cedrus) is another genus of trees in the same family, and pine fruits are not nuts in the botanical sense.

Name

One of two versions derives the tree's Latin name from the Celtic word pin, which means rock, mountain, i.e growing on rocks, the other - from Latin words pixels, picis, which means resin, i.e resinous tree.

Biological characteristic

area

In Russia, the genus is represented by 16 wild and 73 introduced in open field types of pines.

Of the species growing wild in Russia and neighboring countries, Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris). This is a large tree up to 40 m in height with a crown - pyramidal in youth, but umbrella-shaped in old age. The needles of the needles sit 2 together, dark green below, bluish-green above, for the most part 4-5 cm long. The bark is red-brown. Cones (young) are conical in shape, the shield of their scales is rhombic in shape. Seeds with a long wing.

Pine is extremely common throughout northern Russia and most of Siberia and forms both pure forests and forests mixed with spruce and other species. Pine forests are especially typical for sandy soil and rocky substrate. South of the line passing through Kyiv, then along the Oka River to the mouth of the Tsna River, then through Kazan and along the Kama and Belaya rivers to Ufa, pine is very rare and sporadic, forming small groves on calcareous and chalk slopes, as well as on the sands. It is believed that pine was once more common in this area than it is now, but then began to die out due to centuries of climate change. To the south of Kamenetz-Podolsk, Dnepropetrovsk, Saratov and Orenburg, pine is not found in the steppes, but reappears in the Caucasus, where it grows in many places. It is also found sporadically in northern Turkestan, in the mountains of Kokshetau, Karkaraly and others, to the east along Siberia it reaches almost to the Pacific Ocean. In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Scots pine is represented by three subspecies: Kulunda (Minusinsk pine forests); Siberian (most regions of the region) and Lapland (to the north of 62 ° N).

Another type of pine, distributed mainly in Siberia, is the Siberian cedar ( Pinus sibirica Du Tour). In the Amur region, a third type of pine appears, close to the previous one, - Korean cedar ( Pinus coraiensis Siebold & Zucc.), with more elongated cones and seeds.

Taxonomy

Subgenera and species

Significance and application

Industrial use

Today at early XXI century, pine wood is used as:

• Saw log for lumber production
• Shipbuilding ridge
• Deck log for the production of deck and boat lumber
• Aviation ridge
• Riveting range for the production of parts for barrel containers (for jellied, dry-packed barrels and boxes)
• tare range
• Pulp balances
• Mast and hydraulic construction log
• Mine longitude and mine stance

• when stretched along the fibers: 90-95 MPa,
• when stretched across the fibers (during splitting): 6-8 MPa,
• in bending: 80-85 MPa.

cultivation

Pine belongs to the number of very light-loving tree species, but, nevertheless, often forms pure plantations. The reason for this is that it is one of the least soil-demanding tree species, and therefore can grow on such marginal soils, on which the growth of other trees is almost impossible.

This is due to the fact that the pine has a superficial type of root system, which can develop in a thin (1-2 cm) layer of fertile soil lying on the sands. For example, in Karelia, pines can have extensive root systems (having separate root shoots up to 20 meters long in mature trees), located in a layer of only 1 cm thick. Such soils, typical for pure pine plantations, are dry sandy, on which pine forests are populated. characteristic feature of such pine forests is their uniform age, explained by the fact that even in the least populated areas they suffer greatly from forest fires and, easily seeded after each of them, grow again in the form of even-aged plantations.

On typical forest sites, birch, white alder, and some willows are occasionally mixed with pine; in lower places, with fresher soil, there is a more significant admixture of various hardwoods, with even greater soil moisture, spruce is mixed in with pine, often in very significant quantities, and in northern forests, other conifers. Finally, pine is also found in moss bogs, where, however, it grows extremely slowly and at the age of one hundred years it is a small tree, with a stem only an inch thick. On more fertile soils, of which fresh sands and sandy loam are the best for pine, it grows very quickly, being one of the fastest growing conifers.

Pine, like a coniferous species, is renewed only by seeds, and therefore is suitable only for high-stemmed farming; most often in its plantations, felling turnovers from 80 to 120 years are used, only occasionally lowering them to 60 or raising them to 150 years.

Renewal occurs naturally or is produced artificially. Cut down in the seed year, not wide, up to 30 meters, cutting areas are usually well seeded, and their renewal is ensured if the emerging shoots are not drowned out by grass; the danger of such drowning is especially great on fresher soils, but can be mitigated by reducing the width of the cutting area and protecting it with a wall of old forest on the south side. If the cutting year of the cutting area does not coincide with the seed yield, the cutting area often has time to overgrow with grass, after which the emergence of pine seedlings becomes difficult, even if, as is often done, seed trees were left in sufficient quantities in the cutting area. In typical upland areas, a dense grassy cover does not last long: it soon thins out and, in the end, turns out to be composed of low perennial grasses, which no longer present an obstacle to the emergence of pine seedlings, if only its seeds can reach the given area.

If soddy clearings are not protected from livestock grazing, then the appearance of strong sods on them turns out to be impossible, and such areas easily turn into loose sands, the afforestation of which presents certain difficulties. On fresher soils, the herbaceous cover of fellings that have not been seeded in a timely manner lasts longer and usually gives way to various deciduous species, among which birch predominates. Under the shade of these hardwoods, pine colonization again becomes possible, and it usually appears after a more or less considerable period of time.

Significant areas of felling in pine forests, in addition to damage from grazing, often experience significant damage from the larvae of the cockchafer, which especially readily lays its eggs in lighted places with sandy soil. The presence of this uninvited guest can also lead to the formation of free-flowing sands. In narrow shaded cutting areas, this enemy rarely appears. Gradual felling in pine plantations is practiced in some places, but relatively rarely. Selective farming in pine plantations cannot lead to good results, due to the significant photophilous nature of this breed.

Therefore, it is very often resorted to the renewal and breeding of pine by planting, for which one-year-old or two-year-old seedlings are usually used: planting larger plants is inconvenient due to the fact that the pine in its youth develops a long taproot, which is difficult to remove without damage, and this damage to the root the breed, like other conifers, is quite sensitive. Pine seedlings are usually planted "under the sword" (it is a crowbar with a tip in the shape of a sword weighing 5-7 kg), in the amount of 1 piece per 6 sq.m.

Pines in fine art

Edge of the forest.
I. A. Shishkin. Canvas, oil.



Pine on the sand.
I. A. Shishkin.
1884.



Morning in a pine forest.
I. A. Shishkin.
1886.
Oil, canvas.
State Tretyakov Gallery.

After the storm in Mary Howie.
I. A. Shishkin.
1891.
Lviv Art Gallery.



Hodogaya area, Tokaido tract.
Katsushika Hokusai.
OK. 1830.
Color woodcut.

Quite widespread in our country. evergreen tree is our constant companion. We have been accustomed to seeing him since childhood. New Year in the house, forever remembering its wonderful aroma. Yes, and in forest plantations, mainly pine trees predominate. At favorable conditions they reach forty meters in height. But sometimes even a hundred-year-old tree can remain forever a small dwarf. This plant is very photophilous. It can be safely attributed to centenarians.

Pine Description

The tree reaches forty meters in height. It belongs to the plants of the first magnitude. The circumference of the trunk can reach one meter. has furrowed exfoliating parts. At the base of the tree, it is much thicker than at the top. Nature is so conceived for protective purposes. The thick pine bark in the lower part protects it from overheating during fires.

The young plant has a cone-shaped crown. Growing up, it rounds, becomes wider, and the aging tree acquires an umbrella-shaped or flat shape. Pine needles are usually bluish-green in color. It is a bundle consisting of two needles. They are located throughout the branch. The needles are very prickly and pointed, slightly flattened, with a thin longitudinal strip. Needles live for three years. In autumn, it partially falls off. Most often this happens in September. The needles before this are painted yellow, which is why the pine takes on a motley appearance.

Pine cones

The description of the pine tree would be incomplete without mentioning the cones. They are located either one by one, or two or three pieces on legs looking down. The green pinecone is cone-shaped and dark green in color. Sometimes a brown color is also possible. And only in the second year it ripens, acquiring a brown or brown hue. The length of the cone ranges from 3 to 6 centimeters, and the width is 2-3 cm.

Her life begins with the formation of a small red ball. This is a pine germ. It appears at the end of spring, at the moment when young shoots from the buds begin to grow on the tree. At first they do not have needles, and cone embryos are located on their tops.

All summer the cones grow and with the advent of autumn they become green in color the size of a pea. They stay that way all winter. And with the advent of spring, they begin to develop further. By the end of summer, the cone reaches an adult size. And by next winter she will have Brown color, ripens, but does not open yet. Its scales are still tightly pressed, so the pine seeds have not yet spilled out. And this process will begin only on the third spring, when the snow melts. The cones will begin to dry out in the sun, causing the scales to open and the winged pine seeds to leave their home.

In pines, female and male cones are distinguished. They are located in different places. The female ones are at the tops of young shoots, and the male ones are near their base. So it is the males that pollinate the females with their pollen. Fertilization occurs only after a year. All this time, pollen, hitting the female cone, is at rest.

Pine structure

In fact, the structure of a pine tree is the same as that of any other tree. It has a trunk, root, branches with needles. The root system of pines deserves special attention. Currently, there are four types of root systems:

The root system of pines depends on the structure and nature of the soil on which the tree grows. Its lamellar shape makes the pine very valuable. It enables the use of trees for artificial afforestation. Pine is planted on swampy, dry and unsuitable lands. It should be noted that the pine root begins to grow at temperatures above three degrees. It penetrates to a depth of 230-250 centimeters and grows rapidly in the first years of life. By the age of thirty, the roots reach their maximum size and ultimate depth. In the future, there is a quantitative increase in surface processes. Horizontally in different directions, they grow by ten to twelve meters. As observations show, pine roots penetrate deep through the gaps left from the rotten roots of other trees. For such ready moves whole bunches of young shoots rush down.

Pine trunk

Pine growing in dense stands has a fairly even and slender trunk without knots. In rare plantings in open spaces, the tree grows less tall and with a more knotty trunk. bark on different parts pine has a different color and thickness. At the bottom of the tree, it is thick and red-brown, and in the middle part and at the top it is yellow-red in color with thin peeling plates.

How does a coniferous tree grow?

If we talk about how and how much a pine tree grows, then it should be noted that the largest increase in height occurs at the age of thirty. And by the age of eighty, the tree reaches thirty meters.

Most of pine trees- fast growing. At the age of 5 to 10 years, they grow annually from 30 to 60 centimeters. Then the growth can reach one meter annually under favorable conditions. Further, from 30 to 50 years, the pine grows not so much in height as the thickness of its trunk increases. So, how many trees are centenarians. On average, they live from 150 to 300 years. Isn't it impressive numbers?

Pine crown

The shape of the pine crown in the forest depends primarily on age. The young tree has the shape of a cone. Then it gradually changes and becomes umbrella-shaped in old age.

Usually the branches on the tree are arranged in tiers. On each of them, at the same level, four or five branches diverge to the sides. These are the so-called whorls. And every year new ones are formed. However, it is impossible to determine age by this principle, except perhaps only in young plants, since in old ones, as a rule, the lower tiers die off and turn into branches.

Pine cultivation

Chinese belief says that pine is magic tree which drives away trouble and brings happiness to people. Therefore, planting it near housing symbolizes longevity and well-being. And do not be afraid of the size of the tree, because there are tall pines, and there are also decorative, dwarf forms. If desired, you can choose the desired option.

Planting a pine tree

When choosing seedlings, you need to pay attention to how the root system of pines looks like, whether it is damaged, whether there is an earthen clod. All this is very important. After all, pine transplantation is stressful for the plant itself. The less damage, the easier and faster the tree will take root. We want to emphasize that the seedling should not be older than five years. mature plant it is better to transplant in the winter with a clod of earth.

In general, there are two periods when conifers can be planted:

How is pine transplanted? First of all, a hole up to a meter deep is prepared. If you are sure that the soil in your area is heavy, then before planting it is better to make drainage by pouring gravel and sand to the very bottom (the layer thickness should be 20 cm). It is recommended to refuel landing pit fertile mixture sod land with sand, adding nitroammophoska. With acidic soil, 200 grams of slaked lime should be added.

When transplanting, it is important not to damage the pine roots. Planting depth should be such that the root neck is above ground level. If you plan to plant more than one plant, but a whole group, then between the trees you should withstand correct distance. Here you need to consider the size of future trees. If it is a large pine, then the distance should be large, but if these are dwarf plants, then the distance can be reduced. On average, between coniferous trees, a distance of one and a half meters to four is provided. At proper fit pine quickly takes root and does not get sick. Most young seedlings tolerate the transplant quite calmly. But with age, this process becomes more painful.

How to care for pine?

Pine is a beautiful coniferous tree. In addition to beauty, its indispensable advantage is unpretentiousness. And this means that the tree does not need strong care. However, in the first two years after transplantation, it makes sense to fertilize. In the future, feeding can be omitted. Never remove fallen needles; they form a litter under the tree. It will accumulate organic nutrition necessary for normal growth.

Pine trees are drought-resistant trees, and therefore they do not need watering. Moisturize only seedlings and young trees. But conifers do not like waterlogging. Even water-resistant varieties tolerate two to three waterings per season. Mature plants do not need to be watered at all. They tolerate not only the summer heat, but also the winter cold. Young plants may suffer from scorching rays sun. To prevent such troubles, they are covered with spruce branches or shaded. Shelter can be removed in mid-April.

Reproduction features

Pines can be grown from seeds, but decorative forms are obtained by grafting. Plants do not propagate by cuttings. To get the seeds out of the cones, you just need to dry them thoroughly, for example, on a battery. Soon the buds will begin to crackle and open. Seeds can be easily obtained. Sow them in small boxes. Drainage is placed at the bottom, a loose mixture of sand and peat is poured over it, sprinkled with a layer of earth, and watered. The depth of planting seeds is 5-10 millimeters.

Pine seedlings are recommended to be grown on sandy and light clay soils. Sowing seeds is done, as a rule, in the spring, although it is possible in the fall. Crops are recommended to be mulched. After three weeks, the first shoots should appear. Seedlings in open ground grow up to three years, and then transplanted to permanent place. While the tree is still not quite large, there is less risk that the root system of the pines will be damaged during transplantation.

There is also a technique for growing seedlings in greenhouse conditions for two years. Those who are familiar with the grafting system may try to propagate the tree in this way. For this, cuttings are taken from a growth of one to three years. As a rootstock, trees of four to five years of age are used. All needles must be removed, leaving it only near the kidney located above the rootstock. Vaccination is done in the spring, before the buds open. You can also try to do this in early summer. If the vaccination is done in the spring, then last year's shoot is used, and if in the summer, then the current year's shoot is taken.

Tree crown formation

Pines, as a rule, do not need a haircut. However, with its help, you can stop, or rather slow down the growth of the plant, making its crown more dense. To do this, you do not even need any special tools, just break a third of the young growth with your fingers.

In general, with the help of simple tricks from pine, it is quite possible to make a garden bonsai or just a cute miniature tree. Umbrella pine haircut is very popular. If you have already set out to grow bonsai, then you need to ensure that it does not lose its decorative form. It needs special pruning of shoots once a year. An adult formed bonsai is sheared. A young plant does not yet have a densely formed crown. Therefore, each shoot is cut separately. Conifers are sheared from the end of May until almost the end of June. The best time- this is the period when the needles have not yet blossomed.

Pests of coniferous plants

Although pines are unpretentious plants, even they are affected by some diseases. Conventionally, they can be divided into infectious and non-infectious. The latter diseases are caused by unfavorable conditions. This may be a lack of lighting, poor soil, excessive moisture.

However, with proper care and timely treatment with special preparations, all pests can be dealt with for a very long time. a short time. Basically, pine is a wonderful and rather unpretentious plant, always pleasing to the eye with its unusual pristine beauty. Knowing some of the nuances of proper care, you can easily grow such a wonderful tree on your site.