Although Siberian cedar is a mountain forest-forming species by origin, it currently occupies both mountainous and vast plain areas.
The very habitat of the Siberian pine in the center of the taiga zone of the northern part of Eurasia, mainly in Siberia, testifies to it as a frost-resistant continental relatively moisture-loving forest species.
The winter hardiness and low heat requirements of Siberian pine are also confirmed by very low air temperatures in the northern limits of its range on the plains and plateaus and at the upper limits of its distribution in the mountains, where winter temperatures in Eastern Siberia reach -50°C. The low requirement for heat is also indicated by the limited growing season and frost-free periods, with which it is quite reconciled. So, in the mountains individual years There is not a single month without frost.
Experimental data on freezing shoots in thermal chambers showed that cedar is second only to larch in winter hardiness, withstanding temperatures in winter up to -60°C, and in spring up to -50°C (according to Khlebnikova, Gira, Kolovsky).
The maximum heat supply of cedar in the north of Western Siberia based on the sum of temperatures above 5°C is approximately 1100°, and above 10°C - 850°. According to T.P. Nekrasova, for the growth of cedar, the minimum heat supply based on the sum of average daily temperatures above 10°C is equal to 1000°, and according to N.I. Nepomilueva (1974), for the Komi Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic it is only 600°. An even lower sum of temperatures above 10° (500°) C was cited by I. A. Bekh as the minimum at which cedar can grow.
In North-Eastern Altai, cedar grows at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level. m. with sums of temperatures above 5°C equal to 850°, above 10°C - 630°.
On the West Siberian Plain, cedar in the north shifts to the warmer conditions of river valleys, and in Yakutia, where the climate is more continental, cedar prefers soils that are moistened to an average and slightly above average degree on the upper parts of gentle slopes and the tops of ridges with a height of 450-650 m above ur. m. with relatively high constant air humidity, which increases with the rise of the area above sea level.
Siberian pine exhibits the same reaction in worse edaphic growing conditions in more southern regions, which can be observed in sphagnum, grass-swamp and long-moss forest types. If in the first years of life he puts up with fairly high shading conditions, then in subsequent years the need for light increases.
Siberian cedar, like European cedar, are considered shade-tolerant species and in the general scale they are placed behind Siberian fir and spruce. Shade tolerance is manifested in the ability of young generations of trees for a long time to be content with insignificant illumination under the canopy of the upper tiers and form closed stands in a mixture with fir and spruce.
At the same time, the shade tolerance of cedar is in no way an indicator of its need for shading. Experience in growing planting material in nurseries and comparison of growth in forest plantations under the forest canopy and in open areas indicates better growth of cedar in full light (according to V.N. Gabeev). In relation to moisture, cedar is considered a demanding species, especially in relation to air humidity.
In relatively humid air (in the mountains), notes G.V. Krylov (1961), cedar settles in the mountains on granites, replacing pine at an altitude of 1000 m. According to his observations, cedar does not occur in Western Siberia in areas where the average annual relative humidity at 13:00 is less than 60%, and in the least humid month - 50%.
N.P. Polikarpov and D.I. Nazimova consider cedar to be very demanding in terms of air humidity and moderation of temperature fluctuations. In their opinion, cedar does not occur in areas with an average monthly relative air humidity at 13:00 below 45% and an average annual temperature range of more than 35°C.
N. S. Lebedinova explains the low relative air humidity and its sharp fluctuations in the absence of cedar on the southern, western and eastern slopes of the Teletskoye Lake valley in the Chulyshman region, where the annual precipitation is about 500 mm.
Cedar is undemanding to soils. In conditions of sufficient humidity, it grows on almost all their types and varieties. Tolerates moisture-excess soils both with flowing and stagnant moisture. It even grows in sphagnum bogs. Only at the northern border of its distribution does cedar avoid swamp soils, preferring drained alluvial and sandy loam soils. Thus, Siberian pine has a wide ecological amplitude. This largely explains the vastness of its geographical range.
In forest tree species, the response to optimal environmental conditions is clearly manifested in growth in height, which is reflected in the quality assessment of growing conditions. In the best conditions, cedar trunk height reaches 45 m, which corresponds to quality class Ia; in the worst cases it becomes a low-growing tree (ryam cedar) or even a shrub (alpine cedar). The latter phenomenon can often be found above the forest line in the mountains, which was previously even accepted as the existence of its special varieties there.
The bush-like form of cedar can also be observed at the northern limit of its growth, not only in swampy growing conditions, but also on sandy ridges in places not protected from the wind.
Observations of tree growth and life expectancy in various parts range show that the ecological optimum of cedar is confined to the low-mountain regions of Altai and Western Sayan. In these areas there are plantings exceeding 40 m in height. Such, for example, are the valley fern cedar forests of North-Eastern Altai. The maximum height of cedar trees in them reaches 45 m. L.P. Brysova and I.A. Korotkov recorded a maximum height of cedar of 44 m in a large-grass pine pine forest located in the northern part of the Priteletsky region at an absolute altitude of about 400 m above sea level. m. In the Western Sayan, N.P. Polikarpov and D.I. Nazimova noted a number of cedar forests in the middle dark coniferous subbelt with a maximum cedar height of about 40 m.
If we analyze the change in height of a cedar in conjunction with individual climatic factors throughout its range in relation to identifying optimal conditions for its growth, we can conclude that Siberian cedar is not only a moisture-loving tree species, but also a fairly heat-loving one. Its trees reach their maximum development in the Altai and Sayan Mountains in areas with a cyclonic climate, where the heat supply based on the sum of temperatures for the period with temperatures above 10°C is in the range of 1600-1800°C.
Siberian pine in Western Siberia, almost throughout its entire length from north to south, is a native species of upland habitats, giving way to dominant positions to other species only on the outskirts of its range. In the north it is inferior to Siberian larch (Sukacheva), and in the south - to birch and aspen, and even then in the latter case often not without human assistance.
On the West Siberian Plain, the confinement of the most high-quality and productive pine forests to the southern part of the pine range, to the so-called “ridge” of the optimal ratio of heat and moisture, identified by climatologist D. I. Abramovich, is clearly evident. This optimum ratio of atmospheric heat and moisture, as calculated by G.V. Krylov (1961), also passes through the low-mountain regions of the Western Sayan, Kuzbass (Salair, Kuznetsk Highlands), North-Eastern and South-Western Altai, where forest management has identified the best stands of trees Siberian cedar.
In the mountains, as noted above, provided there is a sufficient supply of moisture, the height of Siberian pine tends to increase with increasing heat. The trees with the maximum height grow in Altai in the lower, so-called black subbelt, characterized by annual precipitation of more than 800 mm and the sum of temperatures above 10°C, about 1700-1800°C. Here G.V. Krylov (1961) recorded the greatest longevity (850 years) of cedar trees.
The area of the ecological optimum region is small compared to the area of the pine pine habitat, and its location has a distinct shift towards the southwestern edge of the habitat. In the area of ecological optimum, at present, the predominance of cedar forests has been preserved only in isolated areas on steep, heated slopes, and in most deep gorges, cedar has been replaced by Siberian fir.
The reason for the decrease in the distribution of cedar in the area of the ecological optimum is its lower competitive strength compared to fir. The latter, in addition to its advantages in shade tolerance, rapid growth from a young age, and seeding ability, finds here, just like cedar, optimal conditions for growth in terms of warmth, moisture and soil fertility.
Cedar in the area of ecological optimum and areas close to it in climatic conditions, where fir dominates, grows in worse conditions, in places with thin soils, excessively waterlogged or, conversely, relatively dry.
Quite a few modern fir plantations in the area of ecological optimum were formed in place of cedar trees, not without human help. Some of the fir trees here are a certain stage in the restoration dynamics of cedar forests after fires or the breeding of the Siberian silkworm, therefore the current distribution of fir exceeds the areas that belonged to it previously (100-150 years ago).
In terms of forestry, it is important to know that the areas currently occupied by fir are quite suitable for growing cedar. Moreover, many of them can, and therefore, given the higher value of cedar, should become areas of the highest productivity of Siberian pine.
Thus, Siberian pine, having occupied a vast area and growing on a wide variety of soils, forms a highly developed root system, which is most often located in the upper soil horizon. This is especially pronounced near the northern reaches and high in the mountains, where the root systems of cedar trees often intertwine and form a dense lattice. Only on well-drained soils with a light mechanical composition does it develop powerful anchor-type roots, penetrating 2-3 m deep into the soil. The taproot grows only in the first 20-30 years; it does not go deeper than 30 cm into the soil, i.e. does not go beyond the humus horizon. Anchor roots penetrate the soil to a depth of 80 to 200 cm. Together with thick root paws, they provide strong support for the powerful above-ground part of the tree. By about 40 years, the cedar root system acquires all the main features characteristic of this breed. Later, only the roots lengthen and thicken. In trees over 40 years old, the number of roots depends on the availability of conditions for their growth and is greatest where there is no interference from other trees. Therefore, a tree at the edge of a forest has 5-6 times more roots than in a plantation of average density, and 8-9 times more than a tree with restricted growth. In trees growing at the edge, T.P. Nekrasova (1964) found up to 11 orders of root branching, while in medium-closed plantations their number did not exceed 6-7. In free-standing cedars, the roots evenly cover the area, extending far beyond the crown, while in trees surrounded by others, most of the roots go deep into the soil and only a few grow in the spaces between the crowns.
In moist areas, the cedar root system develops in all its main features in the same way as in drained soils. However, due to the close standing of groundwater, the entire profile of the root system is shortened. In low, slightly warmed places, the roots are highly branched and located close to the surface. On heavily moist soils, cedar develops adventitious roots. In cedar undergrowth at the age of 10-12 years, located under the forest canopy, part of the lateral roots dies off and the feeding area of one plant is 10-15 times less than in undergrowth growing in cleared areas.
The living ends of skeletal roots are located directly under the forest floor and are of two types: cord-like, fast growing, the function of which is to carry skeletal roots to free feeding areas, and shorter and thinner roots that carry a system of roots with mycorrhiza. Their function is the development of the soil layer occupied by cord-like roots; 90% of the growth tips of both types are located in the upper 20-centimeter layer of soil, the rest go deeper to 150-160 cm.
R.N. Ivanova discovered seven forms of mycorrhiza on the roots of Siberian pine: felt-fluffy, cord-like, filamentous, forked, nodule-shaped, coral-shaped and simple.
In cedar undergrowth, simple and forked mycorrhizae are the most common. Felt-fluffy and filamentous mycorrhizae more often develop in the litter of half-decomposed leaves. Nodule mycorrhiza, which has a pinkish tint in cedar, is usually found in the mineral layer of soil. On the roots of old cedars, mainly coral-like mycorrhiza develops. The growth roots have root hairs; mycorrhiza is usually absent.
IN last years Significant windiness of cedar was noted both in the mountains and on the plain, which was especially pronounced when single seed trees were left in clear-cut areas.
Cedar reproduces by seed; only very rare cases of its self-grafting are known, and even then they most often occurred from the introduction of cedar seeds into hollows and cracks in the trunks of other species. Currently, methods for vegetative propagation of cedar by grafting cuttings onto rootstocks of both cedar and pine have been well developed. They are mainly used now in seed production when propagating plus trees to preserve the breeding qualities of individual forms (for nut production, oil content of seeds, etc.). There are known studies on the use of cedar grafts on pine in relation to the promotion of cedar to the south of its natural range, etc. But the main method of its artificial propagation is, as in nature, family, and on its basis a silvicultural direction has been created for growing cedar seedlings and saplings in industrial mechanized nurseries and forest crops.
BIOLOGICAL - ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SIBERIAN SEDAR
Siberian pine, or Siberian cedar, (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) is a powerful coniferous tree, reaching a height of more than 40 m in favorable forest conditions and a trunk diameter of 1.5-2 m. The maximum life expectancy is 800-850 years. The bark of young trees is ash-silver, darkening and cracking with age. The crown is dense, when growing in the wild it is widely spreading, often multi-peaked. The branching is whorled. The buds are conical, non-resinous. Needles dark green 6-17 cm long, sits on shortened shoots in bunches of 5 pieces.
The range of Siberian pine extends from west to east from the lower reaches of the river. Vychegda to the upper reaches of the river. Aldan, which is about 4500 km in a straight line. From north to south, the length of the range is about 2,700 km, from Igarka, in the lower reaches of the Yenisei, to the upper reaches of the river. Orkhon in Mongolia.
Siberian cedar, adapted to a sharply continental climate, is characterized by high winter hardiness, withstanding very low winter temperatures (down to -65°C in Eastern Siberia).
Cedar is considered a shade-tolerant species, second only to fir and spruce, which contributes to the long-term survival of cedar undergrowth under the forest canopy. But with increasing age, cedar’s requirements for light increase significantly. Therefore, in closed forest stands, starting from the age of 16, the beginning of the death of cedar undergrowth is observed. In full light, cedar grows better than under the forest canopy.
The extensive habitat occupied by Siberian pine is explained by its high ecological plasticity. Cedar often tolerates poor growing conditions high in the mountains or on swampy plains, acquiring an elfin form here. At the same time, the ecological optimum of cedar is characterized by very high indicators. In the best conditions, on thick, well-drained fertile soils (with sufficient air humidity and heat supply), cedar reaches a height of 45 m.
The ecological optimum of cedar is confined to the low-mountain regions of the Western Sayan and North-Eastern Altai (Fig. 1-3). Only here the durability of cedar reaches 850 years and there are plantings exceeding 40 m in height.
Rice. 1. Ecological optimum zone of Siberian pine in Altai.
Rice. 2. Cedar taiga along the shores of Lake Teletskoye.
Rice. 3. The famous Kygin pine forests, which have a height close to the maximum.
Siberian cedar prefers sandy and loamy, sufficiently moist, but well-drained fertile soils. It grows poorly on dry sandy and marshy soils.
The root system of cedar is aerobic, so for the normal functioning of its root system it requires sufficiently aerated soils. In conditions of stagnant waterlogging, cedar grows poorly, since under these conditions mycorrhiza does not develop on its roots. With an excess of flowing moisture, cedar grows and renews well.
Siberian pine is a highly mycotrophic plant (Fig. 4). The absence of mycorrhiza on the roots can be one of the main reasons for poor growth and premature death of cedar during natural regeneration and in crops.
The cedar undergrowth has a superficial root system, represented mainly by horizontal roots, with more than 50% of the roots located in the upper 10 cm layer of soil. On moist soils with a developed moss cover, cedar forms adventitious roots, which accelerate its growth and allow it to survive in conditions of excess moisture. On well-drained soils of light mechanical composition, a powerful anchor-type root system develops, allowing it to be wind-resistant. In mountainous conditions, cedar develops a superficial root system (Fig. 5).
Rice. 4. Mycorrhiza on the roots of Siberian cedar seedlings.
Rice. 5. The root system of Siberian pine in the mountains.
Siberian pine has a very high regenerative ability, which makes long-term tree tapping possible (up to 10 years), without leading to a significant decrease in the intensity of growth and generative processes. In this case, the healing of wounds is noted from the first year of tapping and occurs along the entire periphery.
In urbanized areas, cedar is more resistant to smoke and man-made elements compared to other coniferous species growing in Siberia.
Siberian pine forests are of great biosphere and ecological importance. The air in cedar forests is particularly clean due to the high phytoncidal activity of cedar. At the same time, Siberian cedar, unlike pine, does not worsen air ionization indicators. Siberian pine forests accumulate and retain moisture, giving rise to the main flow of water to Siberian rivers. In addition, mountain pine forests play an important soil-protective role, strengthening mountain slopes, preventing erosion of the soil layer, and converting surface water flow into intrasoil flow.
Siberian cedar is a monoecious dioecious plant. Cones are formed on intensively growing shoots mainly of the upper tier of the crown, and microstrobiles (anthers) - on thin axial and lateral shoots of the middle and lower tier of the crown (Fig. 6-9). Pollination occurs with the help of wind. The dispersal of pollen from the cedar is observed in June. Pollen has air sacs and is therefore transported over long distances. The amount of pollen sometimes reaches 130 kg/ha, which is close in weight to the seed harvest.
Cedar cones and seeds are formed during three growing seasons. The rudiments of micro- and macrostrobilae are laid in July–August, respectively. Pollination occurs in June of the following year. Fertilization of the ovules occurs one year after pollination. The seeds ripen in August-September of the same year. Mature cones fall off along with the seeds.
Rice. 6. Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Fig. 9.
Microstrobiles Bump after
(bumps) in front & nbsp pollination
pollination sp
Siberian cedar cones have an average length of 6 cm, an average width of 5 cm. Average weight 1000 pcs. dry seeds is 220 g. Large-cone forms of Siberian pine with cones more than 10 cm long and large-seeded forms with a mass of 1000 pieces were identified. dry seeds up to 390 g,
The productivity of Siberian pine depends on the growing conditions. The yield of sphagnum cedar forests on marshy soils does not exceed 20 kg/ha. In the zone of ecological optimum of Siberian pine (North-Eastern Altai), the maximum yield of Siberian pine stands reaches 270 kg/ha.
Siberian cedars in natural closed stands are not distinguished by high seed productivity, since the seed-bearing layer is limited only by the upper illuminated part of the crown (Fig. 10). In cultivated pine pine forests near the villages, with good illumination of the tree crowns (Fig. 11), the yield is 3-5 times higher than in the taiga, and the trees are distinguished by the regularity of seed production.
Fig. 10. Crown of cedar in taiga Fig. 11. Crown of cedar growing in the open air.
closed tree stands. &n bsp
In optimal forest conditions, in open areas, the beginning of seed production in cedar is noted from the age of 20. Siberian pine stands reach maximum seed productivity at the age of 160 years and maintain it until 280-300 years. It is not uncommon to find well-seeding cedar trees over 400 years old.
Best quality The seeds of Siberian pine from the southern taiga subzone of the West Siberian Plain and from the mountain-black subbelt in the ecological optimum zone of the species differ. Seeds from the northern taiga subzone and from the subalpine subzone often do not ripen due to the short growing season and therefore have low germination.
Cedar seeds have deep physiological dormancy, which allows them to remain viable for a long time in unfavorable periods and ensures the preservation of the species under natural conditions, since the germination of nuts and the subsequent development of seedlings occurs at the most favorable time.
The spread and regeneration of cedar are largely associated with the life activity of numerous fauna. Pine nuts make up a significant part of the diet of the inhabitants of the pine taiga, including chipmunks, squirrels, sables and bears. Special role in the distribution of cedar it belongs to the nutcracker. This small bird, stocking food, carries pine nuts over distances from 3 to 15 km.
The worst conditions for cedar regeneration develop under the canopy of maternal stands due to shading, root competition and the inhibitory influence of cedar stands on young growth. Under the canopy of pine and birch stands, the average growth of undergrowth in height is 2 and 3.1 times greater, respectively, than in the cedar forest.
The regeneration of cedar is adversely affected by the tree and herbaceous layers. In a deciduous forest stand, the first place in terms of the degree of negative impact on the growth of undergrowth is root competition of the tree stand, the second is the canopy, and the third is the grass cover. In derivative fir and spruce stands, the tree canopy has the greatest negative impact on cedar regrowth, creating a year-round harsher microclimate compared to deciduous stands.
In the first years, cedar is characterized by slow growth. In taiga conditions, the growth of cedar under the canopy of conifers at 20 years of age rarely exceeds 30 cm. After a period of slow growth (sometimes up to 100 years under unfavorable conditions), cedar subsequently surpasses most other forest-forming species in terms of growth power, second only to larch.
The main advantage of Siberian cedar is its seeds (nuts) are nutritious, high-calorie and healing. Nut kernels contain about 64% high-quality oil, 17.8% protein. Proteins contain 14 amino acids, of which 70% are essential. This indicates their high biological activity. All this indicates the high value of Siberian pine seeds as a food product.
Cedar wood is dense, light, straight-grained with a beautiful texture. It is easily chipped, planed and polished, is highly resistant to rotting, and is used in the manufacture of furniture, pencils and musical instruments.
Cedar resin (resin) has a high bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, unlike pine resin, it is less prone to drying out and crystallization. Siberian cedar resin is used to produce turpentine and rosin. It serves as a raw material for the production of camphor, an immersion oil used in microscopy.
Due to its special decorative properties, Siberian cedar is used in parks and landscape plantings.
Siberian pine stands, characterized by high productivity of stem wood, are the object of intensive logging. At present, a significant part of the nut-producing pine forests of the Urals and Siberia has already been cut down. At the same time, the best, most productive pine forests are cut down first, which greatly undermines the position of cedar in competition with other taiga tree species (primarily fir and spruce), and the gene pool of Siberian pine is significantly united. Therefore, the problem of preserving and artificially propagating Siberian pine is now particularly acute.
As noted, taiga pine forests are characterized by low productivity, which causes greater labor intensity in harvesting pine nuts and, consequently, their high cost. Therefore, there is an urgent need to create artificial Siberian cedar plantations for special purposes.
Due to its numerous beneficial properties, Siberian cedar is a promising species for cultivation in the European part of the country, where most of the population lives and there is a high demand for cedar products.
The transition to intensive methods of cedar farming will reduce the anthropogenic load on the taiga pine forests.
Bibliography
- Bekh, I.A. Growth of cedar crops under the forest canopy and in the open area / I.A. Bekh // Forestry. - 1991. - No. 9. - P. 35-36.
- Bekh, I.A. Siberian miracle tree / I. A. Bekh, I. V. Taran. - Novosibirsk: ‹‹Science››, 1979. - 128 p.
- Bekh, I.A. Siberian cedar pine: Textbook / I. A. Bekh, A. M. Danchenko, I. V. Kibish. – Tomsk: Tomsk State University, 2004. – 160 p.
- Vorobiev, V.N. Peculiarities of fruiting of Siberian pine in mountain conditions / V.N Vorobiev // Biology of seed propagation of conifers in Western Siberia. – Novosibirsk: “Science”, 1974. – P. 15-70.
- Vorobiev, V.N. Growth and generative processes in Siberian pine with metabolic disorders / V.N Vorobiev // Biology of seed propagation of conifers in Western Siberia. – Novosibirsk: “Nauka”, 1974. - P. 140-170.
- Ermolenko, P.M. Influence of tree and grass layers on cedar undergrowth / P.M. Ermolenko, // Forestry. - 1990. - No. 9. - P.25-28.
- Ermolenko, P. M. Growth of cedar and fir crops at the formation stage / P. M. Ermolenko, V. V. Kuzmichev, N. F. Ovchinnikova // Forestry. - 2002. - No. 2. - P.36-39.
- Ignatenko, M.M. Siberian cedar / M.M. Ignatenko. – M.: ‹‹Science››, 1988. - 162 p.
- Kirilyuk, L.I. Heavy metals in plants of natural and urban landscapes / L.I Kirilyuk, A.A. Buganov, E.A. Bakhtina and others // Forestry. - 2004. - No. 6. - P. 19-20.
- Kirsanov V.A. Biological and ecological characteristics of Siberian pine as the main forest former of cedar forests / V.A. Kirsanov // Reproduction of cedar forests in the Urals and Western Siberia. - Sverdlovsk: UC USSR Academy of Sciences, 1981. - P. 3-12.
- Kirsanov, V.A. A unique even-aged stand of Siberian pine / V.A. Kirsanov, M.F. Petrov // Forestry.- 1969.- No. 8.- P. 25-26.
- Krylov, G.V. Kedr / G.V. Krylov, N.K. Talantsev, N.F. Kozakova. - M.: forestry. industry, 1983. - 214 p.
- Matveeva R.N. Biological and environmental features Siberian cedar pine / R.N. Matveeva, N.P. Shcherba. - Krasnoyarsk: SibSTU, 2002. - 42 p. 70.
- Nekrasova, T.P. Areas of seed productivity of Siberian pine on the West Siberian Plain / T.P. Nekrasova, N.P. Mishukov // Biology of seed propagation of conifers in Western Siberia. – Novosibirsk: ‹‹Science››, 1974. - P. 3-15.
- Nekrasova, T.P. Fruiting of cedar in Western Siberia / T.P. Nekrasov. – Novosibirsk: SB AN USSR, 1961. - 72 p.
- Paramonov, E. G. The influence of slope exposure on the regeneration of cedar / E. G. Paramonov // Forestry. - 1987. - No. 12. - P. 29-31.
- Petrov, M. F. Cedar forests and their use / M. F. Petrov. - M.-L.: Goslesbumizdat, 1961. – 132 p.
- Pryazhnikov, A.N. Phytoncidal properties of cedar forests / A.N. Pryazhnikov // Forestry. – 1968. - No. 6. - P. 21-23.
- Pyatnitsky, S.S. Vegetative forest / S. S. Pyatnitsky, M. P. Kovalenko, N.A. Lokhmatov and others - M.: Selkhozizdat, 1963. – 448 p.
- Rush, V.A. Proteins of Siberian pine seeds / V.A. Rush // Biology of seed propagation of conifers in Western Siberia. – Novosibirsk: ‹‹Science››, 1974. - p. 184-186.
- Rush, V.A. Biochemical characteristics of cedar pine seeds / V.A. Rush // Biology of seed propagation of conifers in Western Siberia. – Novosibirsk: ‹‹Science››, 1974. - p. 180-184.
- Semechkin, I.V. Cedar forests of Siberia / I.V. Semechkin, N.P. Polikarpov, Iroshnikov A.I., etc. - Novosibirsk. : Science, 1985. - 256 p.
- Sudachkova, N.E. Physiology of cedar undergrowth / N.E. Sudachkova, E.Ya. Rastorgueva, R.A. Kolovsky. – M.: Nauka, 1967. – 122 p.
- Talantsev, N.K. Kedr / N.K. Talantsev. - M.: forest. industry, 1981. - 93 p.
- Titov, E.V. Selection of cedar pines: tutorial/ E.V. Titov. – Voronezh.: Voronezh. state forestry engineering academician, 1999. – 58 p.
- Tovkach, L.N. Characteristics of cedar undergrowth under the canopy of plantations of various species / L.N. Tovkach, N.S. Alekseev // Forestry. - 1972. - No. 5. - P. 18-20.
- Khokhrin, A.V. The influence of edaphic conditions on the growth of Siberian pine crops in the Urals / A.V. Khokhrin // Reproduction of cedar forests in the Urals and Western Siberia. - Sverdlovsk: UC USSR Academy of Sciences, 1981. - P. 63-71.
Cedar (Cedrus) is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees belonging to the Pine family (Pinaceae).
Cedar is a very durable wood, furniture is made from it, musical instruments, build ships. All parts of this amazing tree are used as medicines for many diseases. In addition, cedar is used in perfumery; it is believed that the cedar smell promotes relaxation and charges with positive energy. Since ancient times, cedar has been a symbol of wealth and respect.
The Cedar genus is represented by only four species (each of which has decorative garden forms):
Atlas cedar(cedrus atlantica) - with a pyramidal crown and bluish-green or silver needles;
cedar of Lebanon, or biblical (сedrus lib аni) - a symbol of Lebanon, notable for its wood without resin ducts;
short-coniferous cedar, or Cyprus (cedrus br evifolia) - with bare or pubescent shoots and shorter needles of dark green color;
Himalayan cedar(cedrus de odara) - with a pyramidal crown and thin needles of bluish-green color.
These trees are very decorative, therefore they are widely used in landscaping gardens and parks. Cedar is unpretentious, and its beauty is not inferior to other conifers.
Currently, the name “cedar” is also used to call other trees that actually belong to other genera, and some of them do not have common related roots at all with representatives of the genus Cedrus. These are plants such as Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica), European pine (Pinus cembra), Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), dwarf cedar (Pinus pumila), Canadian red cedar, or thuja plica (t huja plicata), Canadian white cedar, or western thuja (t huja occidentalis), and Laska yellow cedar, or Nootka cypress (supressus nootkatensis), fragrant cedrela, or Spanish cedar (cedrela odorata). The confusion occurred due to the fact that in appearance all these trees are very similar to cedars, and their agricultural technology is, in general, identical. However, for our climate, true cedar is not winter-hardy enough, unlike spruces and pines, so gardeners often grow so-called pseudocedars.
The most popular is Siberian cedar, or Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica). This tree is distinguished by a shallow root system, a dense spreading crown, a slender dark gray trunk and rich green needle-shaped needles (about 10 cm in length), which contain vitamin C, carotene and vital minerals.
It is noteworthy that cedar needles release phytoncides and negative ions that help purify the air. The wood of this tree is very durable, and in addition, has antiseptic properties. Resin (resin) is also a healing agent; it very quickly heals wounds and various skin diseases. The cedar fruit is an edible brown pine nut that ripens in light brown, egg-shaped cones. It should be noted that cedar has both male and female cones located on the same tree. The nut contains vitamins such as A, B, E, F.
Wild Siberian cedar reaches a height of 30 meters and lives up to 600 years, and decorative garden forms of this tree grow up to only one meter. In gardening culture, cedar is highly valued for its beautiful needles (currently varieties with silver, blue-green, and dove needles have been bred), as well as winter hardiness. This tree looks good both in single and group plantings. Lupine is often planted between cedar pines, as it improves the development of trees.
Secrets of successful cedar growing
Cedar prefers sandy or loamy, moist soils with sufficient minerals and good drainage. Dry soil is not suitable for growing this tree, since even a short-term lack of moisture can cause it to die. Cedar is very light-loving, so it develops better in illuminated areas.
Basic care involves timely moderate watering (more abundant in summer), application of complex fertilizers and crown formation. Among other things, young trees need to be weeded. During the first ten years of the cedar's life in the fall, the lower branches are gradually cut off near the trunk, and the wounds are covered with garden varnish.
The easiest way to grow cedar is from a 6-8 year old seedling. The root system of the tree must be watered, then the seedling must be carefully placed in a pre-dug hole in a well-lit area, sprinkled with soil mixed with fertilizer,
Mulch with sawdust and water. It is better to plant several trees nearby, as this promotes cross-pollination. In this case, the distance between seedlings should be 6-9 meters.
Cedar is sometimes propagated by grafting onto Scots pine, but more often by seed. Seeds are sown in late September-early October in open ground and covered with spruce branches for the winter to protect them from rodents. In spring, seedlings germinate without difficulty, but at this time they can be pecked by birds, so it is recommended to make a shelter from polyethylene or a lightweight material; gauze or burlap are suitable for these purposes. In addition, the shelter will protect young shoots from scorching sun rays.
However, it is safer to sow cedar seeds in the spring, but only after preliminary stratification. First, the seeds are dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate for 2 hours, then soaked for about 3-5 days in water at a temperature of 30-40 ° C, and the water is changed every 1-2 days. After which the seeds are placed in a box with moist river sand, cleared of silt, kept at room temperature, watered from time to time and mixed well, and after one and a half to two months (late April-early May) they are planted in the ground, buried 3 cm To prevent diseases, it is recommended to dip the seeds in a pink solution of potassium permanganate before planting. When the seedlings sprout, plantings that are too thick need to be pruned. After 2-3 years, young plants are transplanted to a permanent place.
Possible difficulties
With improper agricultural practices, cedar can go into a stressful state (especially in summer), in which it secretes certain substances that are attracted by its smell of pests - bark beetles, borers, hermes, longhorned beetles, and caterpillars. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to periodically treat trees with anti-stress drugs and insecticides.
When attacked by bark beetles, the trunk tissues die. It is very important to prevent these pests from penetrating under the bark in time, since if larvae appear, the tree will be almost impossible to save. As soon as holes appear on the trunk and branches from which resin is released, measures must be taken immediately.
A pest such as Hermes (which looks like white fluff) can suck juice from young shoots. To combat it, you need to use insecticides that penetrate directly into the cedar sap.
Cedar cones and needles can be harmed by the pine moth, pine moth, purple or pine sawfly, which can be controlled with the help of the drug "Lepidocid".
In warm and humid weather, cedar can become affected by rust (yellow-brown spots appear on the needles). This disease is not very dangerous for the tree, but shoot canker, also caused by fungi, can cause much more damage. Due to excessive soil moisture, cedar can be affected by white root rot (white spots appear on the trunk). At the first signs of these diseases, the tree must be treated with fungicides.