Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir is a luxurious and rare tree. This tree was little known until recently. last years gained great popularity as a Christmas tree called ““.
Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir in nature
The natural habitat of Caucasian fir is the mountains of the eastern Black Sea region: Krasnodar region Russia, Abkhazia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Nordmann fir is one of the most valuable relict endemic trees of the Caucasus and is protected in protected areas.
IN natural conditions x in the Caucasus, fir grows in mountain ranges at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, forming pure fir forests and mixed forests with eastern beech (Fagus orientalis) and eastern spruce (Picea orientalis).
Fir forests are very picturesque. The trees have a cone-shaped crown starting from the base of the trunk because the lower branches almost touch the ground. Such trees look like huge pyramids. If the firs grow close to each other, then the trees lose their lower branches and the forest is filled with huge massive straight trunks - columns.
The first Nordmann firs appeared in Europe in 1840. Currently, endemics of the Caucasus grow in some countries such as Denmark, England, Ukraine and North America.
Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, which is about 100 years old. This giant tree survived a strong storm that felled many tall trees in the park several years ago. Many branches of the Nordman fir just broke off. Photo Jan 1 2018, Forstbotanisk Have, Aarhus, Denmark
Discovery of a relict endemic in the Caucasus
The fir is called Caucasian fir by its place of growth or Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), named after the Finnish-Russian scientist Alexander von Nordmann, who first described this plant in 1836 in the Caucasus.
In fir trees, the branches of annual growth are arranged in floors. If all the news has been preserved, then you can estimate the age of the tree by counting the number of storey branches. Photo Jan 1 2018, Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, which is about 100 years old, Forstbotanisk Have, Aarhus, Denmark
Names of Caucasian fir
Botanical characteristics
Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir (lat. Abies nordmanniana) is an evergreen coniferous plant. The species of trees of the genus Fir belongs to the Pine family (Pinaceae).
Fir has long (about four centimeters) flat, soft and non-thorny dark green needles with two whitish stripes below.
The trees have a narrow, cone-shaped crown with lower branches reaching down to the ground. This crown shape distinguishes Caucasian fir from white fir or European fir, which usually has a bare trunk, because the lower branches fall off. Or the Caucasian fir looks quite similar to the European fir and the plants can cross-pollinate.
Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir is cone-shaped, the branches of which touch the ground itself. Photo 21 Dec. 2017, Aarhus Botanical Garden, Denmark
Fir trees begin to bear fruit at the age of 30-50 years. The fir blooms in May and is pollinated by the wind. Seed ripening occurs in the year of flowering, at the end of September - December (depending on the geographical location of growth). The cones are 12-16 cm long, 3-3.5 cm wide, held vertically on branches on a short stalk and scattered in December.
Firs prefer rich soils and do not grow well in poor sandy and heavy soils. Plants prefer high level air humidity and do not like stagnation of water in the soil. IN favorable conditions trees can reach 60 – 80 m in height, and the trunk can be more than 1 meter in diameter. The huge Caucasian giants are long-livers; in natural conditions they can live up to 600-700 years.
Nordmann fir needles with two whitish stripes below. Photo 16 Nov. 2017, my garden, Denmark
How many needles are there on a Nordmann fir?
Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir in Denmark
The first Nordmann firs arrived in Denmark in 1848. Firs are demanding on air humidity and mild winters. Therefore, the Danish climate turned out to be suitable for plants. Firs have not taken root in northern Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway and Finland), where winters are more severe. Mature trees are quite wind and frost resistant. Mature trees can withstand frosts down to -30 °C. But young seedlings are very sensitive to frost.
Caucasian firs in Denmark until the 60s of the last century, Danish firs mainly decorated parks, private gardens, or were planted in single specimens on the edges of the forest. The trees were especially valued for their beautiful cone-shaped crown from the ground itself. Attempts have been made to plant fir trees in forests to obtain timber. It turned out that it is quite difficult to grow fir trees in the forest, because the growth of small trees is clogged with weeds, and fir trees are easily attacked by insects and eaten by animals. In addition, the quality of fir wood could not compete with other tree species.
Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir in a private garden. Photo 29 Dec. 2017, Højbjerg, Denmark
Normada firs have attracted particular commercial interest and are among the potential Christmas trees. In Denmark, an alternative was being sought for the spruce (lat. Picea abies), which was traditionally used as a Christmas tree. It turned out that fir needles, unlike spruce needles, hold on to the branches much more firmly and do not fall off for a long time in heated rooms. In addition, fir needles are non-thorny, unlike spruce trees, including blue spruce (lat. Picea pungens), which was also considered as a candidate for a Christmas tree.
Of all the firs that were grown in Denmark, the Caucasian fir turned out to be the most suitable candidate for the role of the ideal Christmas tree. In the 80s, the first industrial plantings of Normadna fir were established. And now Denmark has become one of the main exporters of Caucasian firs for Christmas, which today are called “Danish Christmas trees”.
Caucasian firs grow along the roads. They are grown as Christmas trees. Photo 11 Sep. 2018, near Viborg, Denmark
Danish Christmas tree seeds
I was surprised by the impeccable similarity of the firs that are grown on plantations and sold at Christmas markets. I even had thoughts that the trees were somehow cloned, Danish Christmas trees are so similar to each other. It turned out that almost all fir trees grown in Denmark have only a few progenitors. 90% of all seeds for Danish trees are purchased from certain fir trees growing in certain places in Georgia.
Fir trees grow in many places in the mountainous areas of the eastern Black Sea region of the Caucasus. However, not all firs are suitable for industrial cultivation as “Danish trees”. For example, Caucasian firs from Turkey have a too open crown, grow quickly in height and are therefore not suitable for a Christmas tree.
The most suitable are the firs that grow in Georgia in the Caucasus Nature Reserve of the Ambrolauri region and near the city of Borjomi. These firs have fluffier branches, the trees do not grow tall as quickly, and young seedlings are less susceptible to night frosts in the spring.
The collection of seeds is carried out by the Danish company Hededanmark, which has entered into an agreement with the local authorities of Georgia. Seeds are collected from hundred-year-old trees at the end of September. The entire seed collection process is filmed. In this way, uniform seed quality is guaranteed and the quantity of seeds collected and exported from the reserve is controlled.
All the Christmas trees at this market are fir, which have almost the same ancestors from the mountain forests of the Caucasus. Photo 10 Dec. 2016. Viby, Denmark
Nordmann fir - amazing ornamental plant which will perfectly decorate your personal plot. The Nordmann or Caucasian fir was first described by the Finnish-Russian botanist Alexander von Nordmann. The tree got its name in honor of him. Caucasian fir belongs to the pine family. The Danish tree, often seen on screens when we watch Christmas films, is nothing more than a cultivated species of our fir or abies nordmanniana.
Description of Nordmann fir
Caucasian fir is conifer tree. Evergreen can grow up to 60 m and even 80 m in height under natural conditions.
Let's move on to a detailed description:
Under favorable growing conditions, a tree can live for about 700 years! Its growth does not depend on age.
Main varieties
Tree planting conditions
The tree is unpretentious, so the features of your summer cottage will not affect its cultivation in any way. Moreover, growing conditions can be improved artificially.
Selecting a location. Caucasian fir is actively developing areas at an altitude of approximately 1200 m above sea level. m. In low areas it does not grow so well, but when ornamental cultivation it doesn't matter. main feature– the ability to grow actively both in the shade and in places that are well lit. Strong winds are not harmful to the tree, but the level of air humidity in the place where it grows should be high.
The soil. The tree prefers soil that is nutritious and rich in mineral fertilizers. Planting is recommended in loam, but good growth is also observed in more acidic soil.
Landing rules
Caucasian fir reproduces exclusively by seeds, which are stratified 1.5-2 months before planting. The seeds are placed in soil, previously poured into a container, and left in the refrigerator or basement. In the spring, the seeds are germinated in a warm place, and the resulting seedlings are planted in larger containers.
As a rule, a tree is grown in pots for 5-7 years and only then is it transplanted into open ground. This is explained by the instability of young seedlings that can die under unfavorable conditions.
The following plants can be planted nearby:
- larch;
- Rowan;
- Thunberg barberry;
- pine;
- juniper.
Taking into account the above, it is better to plant fir on the site using seedlings purchased from a nursery. A hole is made for it, 60 cm wide and 80 cm deep. It is recommended to add a layer of drainage to the specified depth, which is required when planting (gravel or crushed stone is used).
For the successful development of the tree, a mixture of the following ingredients is prepared:
- sand – 14%;
- humus – 14.5%;
- peat – 42%;
- clay – 28%.
Complex fertilizer is added to the mixture, and part of it is poured into a slide at the bottom of the hole. The roots are spread along this hill, then everything is completely covered with soil, leaving only the root collar above the surface of the earth. Watering is only needed when planting.
Care
Periodic watering and fertilizing are required, carried out only during the growing season. Only young seedlings are watered; mature trees do not need to be watered at all, because their roots are quite capable of providing sufficient moisture.
They begin to feed the plant 5-6 years after planting. Liquid complex preparations for fertilizing coniferous species are recommended as fertilizers.
Young seedlings are extremely sensitive to proximity to weeds, and therefore it is important to keep the area around the trunk clean. To maintain this very cleanliness, it is recommended to regularly mulch the soil around the tree using rotted sawdust.
Trimming
In general, the tree does not require pruning, but if you need to make the tree more decorative, pruning is done. Old trees with a lot of dry branches are pruned. So that the appearance of the tree does not deteriorate because of them, the branches are carefully cut down, and the cut points are processed.
Pests and diseases
More detailed description problems:
Nordmann fir begins to bear fruit quite late. As a rule, you have to wait 10-20 years before fruiting begins. This process begins faster in hybrid varieties.
It should be taken into account that if there is insufficient moisture, the needles and shoots may dry out, so for planting, choose the variety on the site that has the highest probability of survival.
Nordmann fir - Caucasian fir - Danish fir tree - Abies nordmanniana
Content
Description
Usage
Decorative forms and varieties
Growing
- Planting material
- Conditions for landing
- Landing location and climate
- Illumination
- The soil
- Landing
- Care
- Shelter for the winter
Reproduction of Caucasian fir: growing from seeds
Where to buy Norman/Caucasian fir for planting
As the New Year approaches, in search of a Christmas tree, we involuntarily meet and distinguish from others a lush and beautiful Christmas tree with soft, non-thorny needles called Nordmann Fir. But why fir and not the usual spruce? Where does such a beauty grow? Is it worth buying it for the New Year? And if you buy, what should you choose: cut or with roots, in a pot? Is it possible to plant this tree in the garden after the holiday? How to grow from seeds? Why is it recognized as the tallest tree in the country, and how did it become a Danish Christmas tree? We will talk about this in our article.
Why is the Christmas tree fir and not spruce?
This is the first question that arises for a person who is not familiar with the history of the New Year tree in Russia. Our Christmas tree first appeared in 1670. This tradition was introduced by Peter I, borrowing it from Germany. There, to decorate the Christmas holidays, they put up a fluffy fir, with needles that were not prickly and did not fall off, symbolizing, according to legend, the triumph of Christianity over Paganism as obscurantism. There weren’t many fir trees in Rus', and it was decided to use them for these purposes. ate
, pine and juniper
, standing out with green needles among winter leafless and bare trees. Gradually, the fir tree replaced the tall pine and shapeless juniper, becoming a recognized New Year tree in Russia, and the fir is still considered the main Christmas tree in Europe.
Interesting! Until this time, the New Year, or New Year in the old way, was celebrated in Rus' on March 1, before the start of garden and field work. Later the holiday was moved to the time of harvest - September 1. The pagan Slavs believed in a good spirit living in trees, therefore, celebrating spring or autumn New Year, tried to please him by decorating every tree growing near the house. But they did not favor spruce, considering it a tree of evil spirits. Since those times, the tradition of scattering spruce branches has been preserved, seeing off the deceased on his last journey.
How did the Nordmann fir become the Danish fir?
Christmas tree market. Danish Christmas tree
Among the Christmas trees, the most beautiful was not the European fir, but the Caucasian fir growing in the Caucasus, whose scientific name is Nordmann fir. It was superior to the European in the beauty and density of its needles, the ideal shape of the crown, the speed of growth, and besides, its soft needles did not fall off for a long time even on a cut down tree. The tree propagated by seeds, with the help of which the plant was introduced to Europe.
The soil and climate of Denmark turned out to be the most favorable, where they began to grow these beautiful Christmas trees for sale for the holiday of the Nativity of Christ. The country has become a leader in the production of the Christmas tree - Nordmann fir, ahead of other countries. Only the USA surpasses Denmark in exporting Christmas trees, but they mainly grow their own, American christmas tree - Fraser fir
.
Now in Denmark, 10-12 million Caucasian firs are prepared for sale annually for the Christmas holidays, of which 9-11 million are exported, most of which to Germany. Like the Dutch tulips, the name "Danish tree" has become a brand and a guarantee of a very high quality Christmas tree. Danish producers invest a lot of money and labor to ensure that the resulting trees grow with an ideal shape and high decorative value. Therefore, they are not cheap, compared, for example, with Russian Christmas trees, which are often planted under power lines without any care.
Interesting! The birthplace of all Danish Christmas trees, oddly enough, is mainly Georgia. In Denmark, Nordmann fir seeds do not ripen or germinate, so they are purchased in the Caucasus, where local collectors harvest them from hundred-year-old trees. The largest seed procurement center is the vicinity of Ambrolauri in Georgia. The majority of the local population is engaged in collecting cones; the pickers are called cones. To get the cones, the cones have to climb to the height of a 10-story building without special equipment. The harvesting season lasts a month, during which time tons of buds are collected. After drying the cones and painstakingly extracting the seeds from 7 kg of raw materials, 1 kg of seed material is obtained, which is sold for 25 euros. Each bigwig receives up to 1000 euros per season.
What is this wonderful tree that has become famous throughout the world?
Nordmann fir / Caucasian - origin and name
Opening buds of Caucasian fir
Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) is one of 50 species of the genus Abies. It was discovered on the Adjara ridge (Armenian Highlands) in 1835-1836, and was named in honor of its discoverer, a Russian naturalist, Finnish by birth, and head of the Botanical Garden in Odessa, Alexander von Nordmann. As a result of an expedition to the shores of the Caucasus, as part of a small team, he managed to collect a huge collection of plants, insects and amphibians (2000 specimens), while repelling the local residents who did not favor guests with the help of a convoy and a cannon. Among the brought plants was Caucasian fir. For this expedition, Nordman received a diamond ring as a reward from the king. The brought seeds soon found their way to Europe, where the cultivation of Caucasian fir began in 1840.
Caucasian fir is the second recognized name of this plant, it indicates the place of its growth in wildlife. These are the mountains of the eastern and southern Black Sea region: the Russian Caucasus, Turkey, Abkhazia, Georgia, northern Armenia and Azerbaijan. The tree can be found in pure or mixed forests at an altitude of 900-2100 meters on the border of forest and alpine meadows. This area is characterized by a cold climate, mild winters, and annual precipitation of 1000-3000 mm. For comparison: the average annual precipitation in Moscow is 708 mm, in the mountains of Crimea - more than 1000 mm, in Abkhazia and Sochi - more than 1500 mm.
Interesting! There is a subspecies of Nordmann fir, found only in a limited area. small area in the mountains of northwestern Turkey - Trojan fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani). It is not widespread in culture.
Caucasian fir is the tallest tree in Russia
Abies nordmanniana, tree height 60.5 m. Caucasian Nature Reserve named after Kh. G. Shaposhnikov, Republic of Adygea, Kisha River valley
The Nordmann fir bears not only the title of the most beautiful Christmas tree. It is one of the tallest trees growing in our country and throughout the post-Soviet space.
Huge specimens can also be found on the territory of the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve (Krasnodar Territory, Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia).
A well-known natural monument is the inaccessible Buiny Ridge in Adygea, where a virgin relict fir forest has been preserved. The Nordmann firs growing there are real giants, their trunk reaches a diameter of 2 m, and the height of most trees is 60-65 m; according to some reports, there are 85-meter specimens, their age is 340 years.
These sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Interesting! The Buiny ridge is considered the genetic center of the formation of the Nordmann fir range in the Caucasus. Among the huge number of Caucasian fir growing here, there are very rare phenotypes. Thanks to the growing fir forest, a network of thousands of streams feeding the Armyanka, Svetly and Mutny Teplyak rivers is preserved.
Description of Nordmann fir
No matter what time of year it is outside the window, the Nordmann fir always amazes with its beauty. Every part of this plant is worthy of admiration. Let's take a closer look at it.
This is a tall evergreen and long-lived (up to 500 years) coniferous tree, 50 meters high, a few specimens of which are taller than 80 meters and older than 700 years. It grows faster than other fir trees, especially after 10 years of age. The trunk, up to 2 m in diameter, is covered with gray, smooth and very decorative bark; in old trees it is covered with cracks. Young branches are light in color - yellowish and light brown.
The wood is kernel-free, soft and light, elastic, whitish-reddish in color. The roots are strong, powerful, pivotal, and located deep. The crown of adult trees is cone-shaped, beautiful, lowered to the ground, and can be up to 9 m in diameter; in young trees it has a regular pyramidal shape.
The buds have almost no resin, are ovoid, and brown in color. Very thin, less than a millimeter thick, flat needles, blunt at the end, from 1.5 to 4 cm in length, up to 2 mm in width. They are arranged densely and hang down. On top they are glossy, green, with reverse side have two white stripes where stomata are located, through which the plant evaporates moisture and gas exchange. The needles remain on the tree for up to 12 years, during which time in industrial cities and other gassy and smoky places they become clogged with soot and toxic substances, which kills the tree. For this reason, Nordmann fir is not planted for urban landscaping, with the exception of resort towns.
Beautiful cones, green at the beginning of growth, brown when mature, grow vertically upward, have a length of 10 to 20 cm and a width of up to 5 cm. Flowering and fruiting begins from 30-70 years of age. Each cone produces up to 200 scales, each containing 2 winged seeds. The cones decay directly on the tree in November (the timing depends on the region). Reproduction occurs due to scattering multiple seeds, which germinate well in the wild. If you need to have your own seeds, the cones are collected from the tree unopened, usually in September.
Use of Nordmann fir
Abies nordmanniana, Mount Fisht, Caucasus Mountains, altitude 2000 m above sea level
Nordmann fir is very beautiful and useful plant. It can be used:
- like a Christmas and New Year tree;
- as a water protection and mountain-soil protection plant;
- for reforestation in Europe in connection with the expected decline of forests due to expected climate warming;
- to obtain camphor and turpentine from the bark;
- for obtaining fir oil from pine needles;
- as a construction and sawing material;
- as a raw material for paper production;
- as a material for making musical instruments;
- V folk medicine: 1) leafy ends of branches, rich ascorbic acid And essential oils, used for preparing infusions, steams, baths, they have restorative, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory properties, 2) fir resin (balsam), obtained by cutting a tree, treats cuts and wounds;
- used in landscape single, group and alley plantings in gardens and parks in regions with a suitable climate, valued for its branched crown from the base and high decorativeness; dwarf varieties are suitable for container planting, for decorating rock gardens and rocky gardens.
Decorative forms and varieties of Nordmann fir
Abies nordmanniana "Golden Spreader"
IN landscape design use decorative forms with a weeping (pendula) and erect (erecta) crown, bluish-gray (glauca) or golden (aurea) needles, white at the ends (albospicata) or with yellow tips (aureospicata).
A slow-growing dwarf variety for rock gardens is noted" "Golden Spreader"
with golden needles, shiny above, with a whitish matte tint below. The dimensions of the fir "Golden Spreader" after 10 years of cultivation are 100x100 cm.
Slow growing dwarf variety "Hunnewell"
forms a compact pillow. The color of the needles is silvery-bluish-green. Used for container planting, for balconies and patios, in small gardens. Frost resistance zone 5-9. Maximum size 50x70 cm.
Green dwarf variety "Munsterland"
also suitable for containers, rock gardens and patios. Size for 10 years 25x35 cm.
Compact variety "Ambolouri/Tlugi"
at the age of 10 it reaches 4 meters in height and up to 2 meters in diameter. The crown of the tree is wide-conical, the branches are arranged regularly, in layers.
How to care for a Christmas tree - Nordmann fir
The main advantage of the Nordmann fir as a New Year's tree is its ability not to shed its needles for a long time, remaining fluffy even when cut down. To do this, the tree needs to create conditions - moist air in the room and not a hot temperature. Spraying the tree with water from a spray bottle will help achieve this.
Growing Nordmann fir
Where to buy a seedling
The easiest way to grow Caucasian fir in the garden is to plant a young seedling. It is better to buy it at a local plant nursery, specifying whether the seedling is grown directly in the nursery or brought from another region. Your own seedling will be stronger, it will take root easier and grow quickly. The imported seedling must undergo adaptation in the nursery for several months, after which it can also be planted in the garden.
Advice. According to availability in the nursery's assortment of this plant you can find out if it is suitable for your climate. Manufacturers planting material They value their reputation and offer for sale only proven varieties and types of plants.
Interesting! Seedling producers distinguish varietiesCaucasian fir based on the place of growth. For example, for Georgia these are Ambolauri, Borjomi, Beshumi. For the Russian Caucasus - Apsheronsk, Krasnaya Polyana, Psebay, Arkhyz.
Conditions for planting Nordmann fir
Growing conditions should be as close as possible to those in which the wild tree lives. And these are the Caucasian mountain slopes, where water does not stagnate in the soil, the climate is not hot and moderately cold, high humidity air and soil. Not many areas on the territory of our country correspond to these characteristics, otherwise we would have been growing Caucasian fir everywhere for about 100-150 years.
In the characteristics of the tree there is data about its frost resistance down to -30 degrees, which is not entirely true. Perhaps the tree will survive such frosts, but it will grow poorly, and after very harsh winters it will be completely unsightly. Young plants above the snow level will freeze, and annual growth on mature trees will die. The temperature at which this plant will not suffer in winter should not fall below –18 degrees.
Do not forget about the winter hardiness of the species, which is not so high. In case of return spring frosts Young growths on the branches die, which is also unfavorable for the tree.
Abies nordmanniana "Munsterland"
Note! Experts do not recommend planting this type fir in the Moscow region. Dwarf varieties and creeping forms can be used to a limited extent. The best places for planting will be the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and South coast Crimea.
Illumination
The tree is tolerant of light - it grows in shade, partial shade and sun. But on open places manages to be more magnificent. For young plants, shading or planting in partial shade is required.
The soil
Fertile light loamy soils with a neutral and slightly alkaline reaction, with good water drainage, are suitable. Severe ones are contraindicated clay soils, highly compacted, dry or waterlogged soils
Landing
When planning a planting site, take into account the growth rate and dimensions characteristic of the species or variety, as well as the type of planting (alley, group, tapeworm). Give preference to a young seedling rather than a large one. Plan the event for the spring.
Plant the seedling according to classic scheme.
The planting hole is dug according to the root system of the seedling. The bottom is filled with drainage from broken tiles, bricks, and gravel. The soil is mixed with fertilizer to coniferous plants, dosing it according to the instructions on the package. Planting is carried out on a slight elevation, taking into account that the soil in the planting hole will subside by 5 cm. The root collar is not buried. A stake is placed next to the seedling, to which it is tied. After planting, watering and mulching are carried out to protect the soil from moisture evaporation. During the entire period of seedling survival, the soil moisture is especially carefully monitored and watered as it dries.
Care
Care activities include watering, weeding and fertilizing. Formative pruning and trimming are not required, since the crown itself takes on the correct shape, and trimming does not contribute to the growth of new branches. Only in the spring, before the sap begins to flow, dry branches are cut out, and at the end of May, the tips of the branches damaged by frost are cut out.
Caucasian fir is moisture-loving. Adult plants are watered up to 3 times per season. Young trees, and in the case of a dry summer, mature trees, are somewhat more common. In the spring, if there is a lack of moisture in the soil, additional watering is required for a quick and friendly start to the growing season. In hot weather and in the absence of rain, the tree is sprinkled once a week.
Fertilizing is introduced two to three years after planting the seedling in the ground, using a special complex fertilizer for coniferous plants. Dry mineral fertilizer easily embedded in a tree trunk circle, covered with a mulch layer, for example, compost. As the tree matures, fertilizing is abandoned, as large roots begin to extract the necessary nutrition from the ground themselves.
Nordmann fir does not have any specific diseases or pests that differ from other conifers.
Shelter for the winter
Only young plants need it. Their tree trunk circle is mulched with compost or covering material and covered with spruce branches. Shelters are removed after the end of frost.
Reproduction of Nordmann fir: growing from seeds
The most reliable and, perhaps, the only way to propagate this plant is by seed. And only garden forms and varieties can be propagated, but with difficulty, by cuttings or layering.
For sowing, it is better to use seeds of wild Caucasian fir, hardened by the mountain climate. They are collected before the cones fall apart in September. The seeds have a short shelf life, so it is better to use them immediately - sow them in the garden before winter in a buried box so that they undergo natural stratification. The box should have drainage holes. The crops must be mulched and later covered with snow. If the climate meets the requirements of fir, the seeds will germinate safely in the spring.
If sowing is planned in the spring, the seeds are stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in a paper napkin or linen/cotton cloth. Seeds are sown after January, having previously exposed them to cold for 1-2 months. stratification
. To do this, the seeds are mixed with damp sand, wrapped in cloth and placed in the refrigerator. You can do it differently: sow it in a container and bury it in the snow in the garden.
After stratification, containers with crops are placed for germination, preferably in a bright place. Seeds germinate at a temperature of +18-23 degrees. In summer, the box is placed in the garden in partial shade or shaded with spunbond, laid on a frame or on top of arches. Ventilate periodically. For the winter, the box is dug into the ground and covered with spruce branches or non-woven fabric. It is possible to plant seedlings for growing on a growing bed, but it is better to do this in the spring.
The soil for sowing and subsequent cultivation should be loose and light; to do this, add an equal amount of sand and sawdust to the garden soil; they should make up a fifth of the substrate. Lightly compact it, moisten it with a sprayer and spread the seeds. Sprinkle them with dry soil no more than a couple of centimeters.
Do not let the soil dry out, prevent the formation of a crust, observe moderation when watering, the soil should always remain “breathable”. To avoid fungal infections, water the seedlings with Fitosporin solution once every 10 days. Plant seedlings in a permanent place after 4 years.
Where to buy Norman/Caucasian fir for planting
Some addresses that were current at the time of writing.
Caucasian fir seedlings
In the desire to create a corner of natural nature in their garden plot, many gardeners try to grow various plants.
Among the wide variety of available species, the tree that is ideal for these purposes can be considered Caucasian fir.
The distribution area of the tree is the mountainous terrain of the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Also a large number of representatives of this plant can be found in Denmark, where the tree is cultivated artificially.
Lat. Abies nordmanniana (photo)
Externally, Nordmann fir, according to the description, is a typical representative of conifers, distinguished by a clearly defined pyramidal crown. The average height of the plant is approximately 60 meters. Some specimens in natural conditions reach heights of up to 80 meters. At the same time, the trunk diameter of the oldest specimens is about two meters.
There are many legends associated with the tree, one of which dates back to the times of Ancient Greece.
There is a legend that the wood of this plant was used to build the famous Trojan horse. It was this fact that gave the bottom its name - the tree of Apollo. Also, Caucasian fir is the most common tree when celebrating Christmas.
The tree has a high life expectancy. Average term The existence of each specimen is approximately 700 years. A distinctive feature of this species from other conifers is appearance needles, which on the reverse side have two parallel white stripes. At the very beginning of its appearance, the needles have a light green tint. As the tree matures, the color changes towards dark and the needles acquire a varnish shine.
Another original feature of this plant is the color of the cones, which can become purple tint depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Features of growing fir
Growing this tree on a personal plot has its own nuances, which begin from the moment the plant is prepared for planting. Fir is planted by planting a specially prepared germinated seed, which must first be subjected to natural wintering conditions.
This can be achieved by placing the seeds in a container, where a hole for breathing must be made above each grain. After this, the container with the prepared seeds should be placed in a cold place. The procedure itself is called stratification. It must be carried out approximately two months before planting the seeds in the ground.
Following the stratification procedure is the process of seed germination, which must be carried out in ordinary pots. Since young shoots are distinguished by long-term growth, if you want to get Caucasian fir on your plot, it is best to contact specialized stores to purchase an already prepared seedling, the age of which should be at least 5-10 years.
Younger shoots simply will not survive; older ones may not take root, since fir is very sensitive to replanting and does not respond well to changes in its growing location.
Before planting, the place where you plan to plant the tree requires preliminary preparation, which includes:
- creation of open space, excluding incoming traffic natural light branches of other trees;
- fertilizing the soil, which should be fertile;
- calculation of the distance between neighboring fir trees, which should be at least 2.5 meters.
As you already understand, choosing a landing site is not so difficult.
Planting fir in open ground
Planting a tree on a personal plot must be carried out in strict accordance with the following scheme:
Moreover, abundant watering should be observed throughout the entire first season of tree growth, which will provide the latter with the maximum degree of comfort for adaptation and establishment in a new place.
Features of caring for Caucasian fir
Despite its unpretentiousness, the tree requires compliance with a number of conditions, especially important in the first years of life, which will ensure reliable strengthening of the fir in a new place.
- sufficient soil moisture. Since coniferous trees are distinguished by strength and power, they require proper watering to ensure normal plant growth;
- constant feeding with a complex of nutrients;
- normal lighting. At first, the seedling requires a sufficient amount of natural light, which will allow it to develop. Only later will the tree itself be able to “clog” its entire surroundings;
- mandatory mulching to avoid weed growth.
Another important condition for preserving a tree in the first year of its life is its reliable covering during winter, for which a special film can be used.
Caucasian fir in landscape design
Gardeners liked the plant as an element of garden plot design.
The massiveness of the crown, beautiful, wide needles, variety of colors, unpretentiousness - all this serves as arguments for planting Caucasian fir on the site to create a unique design.
It should be noted that the plant of this species is significantly larger in size than its European counterpart, while distinctive feature The tree has a saturated crown, which, when lowered, touches the ground.
While watching the video you will learn about growing fir.
In countries Western Europe it is this plant that is most widely used for decorative use and as a tree in afforestation.