Pine structure. Reproduction, pollination, structure of pine cones and seeds

Description of pine

The tree reaches forty meters in height. It is classified as a plant of the first magnitude. The trunk circumference can be up to one meter. The pine bark is reddish-brown with furrows of exfoliating parts. It is much thicker at the base of the tree than at the top. Nature is so conceived for protective purposes. Thick pine bark at the bottom protects it from overheating in case of fires.

The young plant has a conical crown. As it matures, it grows round, becomes wider, and the aging tree takes on an umbrella-shaped or flat shape. Pine needles are usually gray-green in color. It is a bundle of two needles. They are located throughout the branch. The needles are very spiny and pointed, slightly flattened, with a thin longitudinal stripe. The needles live for three years. In the autumn, it partially falls off. This happens most often in September. The needles before this turn yellow, which makes the pine look motley.

Cedar pine needles. Cedar pine: description

Everything in this tree is unique and organic. Symbolizing beauty and strength, the cedar has occupied a special place in the soul of the Russian people since ancient times. The powerful ephedra grows up to 35 meters in height, often has a trunk diameter of up to one and a half meters, and individual specimens up to two. Cedar pine is a long-lived tree, the average life span of a tree is 400 years, some are able to live up to 800 years or more.

The branches of the tree form a compact, dense and beautiful crown. Hard and narrow needles up to 10-13 cm long are an effective medicine, so rich in unique vitamins and minerals. That is why the air in the cedar forests is sterile and healing: the released phytoncides create an invisible barrier, neutralizing harmful viruses and bacteria. The gamekeepers assure that the air in the cedar forest has the strongest healing effect: it heals the body and soul, improves well-being and soothes the nerves. A unique set of organic compounds in needles has long been used by a Russian person to treat scurvy manifestations, neuroses and increase immunity. Pine resin, sap, fully justifies its name, has a healing effect. And wood has excellent bactericidal properties.

The fruits of the tree, pine nuts, are valued as an excellent delicacy, nutritious product and healing agent. For a long time in Russia, this tree was called bread, which is absolutely true, since at all times it saved and supported not only people, but all forest animals.

Pine cones

A 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 the legs, looking down. The green pine cone is tapered and dark green in color. Sometimes a brown color is also possible. And only in the second year does it mature, 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 in late 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 bumps grow and with the arrival of autumn they become green in color the size of a pea. They remain that way all winter. And with the arrival of spring, they begin to develop further. By the end of summer, the cone reaches its adult size. And by next winter it will acquire brown color, ripen, but does not open yet. Its scales are still pressed tightly, so the pine seeds are still not spilling out. And this process will begin only in the third spring, when the snow melts. The buds 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 locations. Females are at the tops of young shoots, and males are near their base. So it is the men who pollinate the women with their pollen. Fertilization occurs only after a year. All this time, the pollen, hitting the female cone, is at rest.

Scots pine. Pine - useful properties and contraindications

Scotch pine - a folk remedy for lung diseases, has a diuretic, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant effect. Cones, pollen, young shoots, bark, resin, needles of a medicinal plant have medicinal properties and are used in treatment in folk medicine.

Latin name: Pinus sylvestris.

English name: Scots Pine.

Family: Pine - Pinaceae.

Parts used: pine buds, pollen, needles, resin (sap).

Young shoots of a pine.

Botanical description. A tall (up to 35 m) evergreen tree with a rounded crown and brown-brown bark. The branches are densely covered with long sharp green needles, located two in one sheath. The plant is monoecious. Female inflorescences sit at the ends of the shoots, male ones - at their base. Blooms in May. Fruits are ovate-elongated cones. The seeds located in the cones ripen in the second year and remain viable for up to 8 years.

Habitat. Scots pine is a widespread tree in Eurasia, starting from Spain and Great Britain and further east to the basin of the Aldan River and the middle reaches of the Amur in Eastern Siberia. Scots pine grows in the north up to Lapland, in the south it is found in Mongolia and China. Forms clean plantations and grows together with spruce, birch, aspen, oak, undemanding to soil and soil conditions, often occupies areas unsuitable for other types: sands, swamps. Scotch pine is distinguished by its lightness, it is well renewed in felling areas and fires, as the main forest-forming agent is widely used in forestry practice in all climatic zones. In the north of the area it rises to an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, in the south up to 1200-2500 m above sea level.

Collection and procurement. Scots pine buds are harvested in the spring in March - April, when they have swollen, but have not started to grow and the scales covering them are pressed to the bud and are glued together. When collected too early (in February), the kidneys are small and contain fewer biologically active substances. The collection is carried out during the spring felling of the forest, sanitary cleaning of pine plantations. When collecting in young plantings of the forest, it is strictly forbidden to collect apical buds. The destruction of the apical bud makes the tree unsuitable for further production of commercial timber. Pine buds are collected in whole groups in the form of crowns (with the remains of branches about 3 mm long), cutting them off with a knife or plucking them by hand. Single kidneys separated during collection are also used. Buds are not harvested from old trees, as they are too small. The collected pine buds are dried in attics or under sheds with good ventilation, spreading them out in a thin layer (3-4 cm).It is impossible to dry raw materials in attics with an iron roof or in dryers, since with this method of drying the resin of the buds melts, the quality of the raw materials often decreases. In good weather, in attics and under sheds, the raw material dries up in 5-10 days. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years. The smell of raw materials is aromatic, resinous, the taste is bitter, the color is pinkish-brown.

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 pine root system deserves special attention. Currently, there are four types of root systems:

• Strong, which consists of a strongly developed taproot and a couple of lateral ones, which is typical for well-drained soil.
• Strong with a weakly defined shaft, but strong lateral roots that grow parallel to the ground. This option is typical for dry soils with deep groundwater.
• Weak, consisting only of short branching processes. This pine root is found in swamp and semi-bog areas.
• A shallow, but fairly dense root system in the form of a brush is typical for hard soils.

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

How not to damage the roots when transplanting

So that the tree does not begin the process of dying off too quickly, and the roots remain dense and intact, it is necessary to dig it out with a large pile of earth. The main thing is to recreate the conditions in which the plant was for a long time: you need to dig a hole large enough so that the roots do not sit tightly, but freely and continue to grow.

We must not forget about watering. One bucket of water after transplanting, and then one bucket every three days. This course needs to be continued for a month.

Important! You should not immediately add fertilizers, otherwise you can upset the acidity balance and burn the roots, as a result of which the tree will begin to die.

Pine is an unpretentious plant that grows in different soils and adapts well to weather conditions and the environment. It can have a different root system, the development of which depends on the conditions in which the plant grows, and also reach both very large sizes and small ones, at the level of shrubs.

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 greatest increase in height occurs at the age of thirty. And by the age of eighty, the tree reaches thirty meters.

Most pine trees are 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 does not so much grow in height as the thickness of its trunk increases. So how long does a pine tree grow? Conifers are long-lived trees. On average, they live from 150 to 300 years. Impressive numbers, aren't they?

Pine crown

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

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

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 lump. This is all very important. After transplanting a pine tree is stressful for the plant itself. The less damage, the easier and faster the tree will take root. We would like to emphasize that the seedling should be no older than five years. An adult plant is best transplanted in the winter with a clod of earth.

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

• Spring - April-May.
• Early autumn - August-September.

How is a pine transplant carried out? First of all, a pit is prepared with a depth of up to a meter. If you are sure that the soil in your area is heavy, then before planting it is better to drain it by sprinkling gravel and sand on the very bottom (the layer thickness should be 20 cm). It is recommended to fill the planting pit with a fertile mixture of turf soil and sand, adding nitroammofosk. For acidic soil, add 200 grams of slaked lime.

When transplanting, it is important not to damage the pine roots. Planting depth should be such that the root collar is above ground level. If you plan to plant more than one plant, but a whole group, then the correct distance should be maintained between the trees. Here you need to take into account 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, the distance between conifers is from one and a half meters to four. With proper planting, the pine quickly takes root and does not get sick. Most young seedlings tolerate transplanting quite calmly. But with age, this process becomes more painful.

How to care for a pine tree?

Pine is a wonderful coniferous tree. In addition to beauty, its indispensable advantage is unpretentiousness. This means that the tree does not need strong maintenance. However, in the first two years after transplanting, it makes sense to fertilize. Further feeding can be omitted. Never remove fallen needles, they form a litter under the tree. It will accumulate organic food necessary for normal growth.

Pines are drought-resistant trees, and therefore they do not need watering. Only seedlings and young trees need to be moistened. But conifers do not like waterlogging. Even the water-tolerant varieties endure two to three waterings per season. Adult plants do not need to be watered at all. They tolerate well not only summer heat, but also winter cold. Young plants can suffer from the scorching rays of the sun. To prevent such troubles, they are covered with spruce branches or shaded. The hideout can be filmed in mid-April.

Origin of species

The genus Pine (Pinus) is divided according to its genetic and morphological characteristics into two subgenera: Pinus (hard pine) and Strobus (soft pine).

Within each of them, separate sections, subsections and series are distinguished, where the characteristics are less distinguishable, although in general the species form relatively easily recognizable groups. According to some systems of the genus, a third subgenus is also distinguished - Ducampopinus. It consists of just one species - the tropical pine P. krempfii from Vietnam. Obviously, it is not very suitable for culture in the vicinity of Moscow or St. Petersburg. This pine tree is very unusual, it has needles up to 5 mm wide, collected 2 in a bunch. There have been attempts to divide this large genus into several smaller genera, including the genera Strobus, Caryopitis, and Ducampopinus, but such artificial formations have not received widespread acceptance.

Many of the newly cultivated pines come from Mexico and further south from Central America, the region with the highest pine diversity.Some species have long been known in culture, since botanical research in the 19th century in Mexico was quite in-depth and advanced, and even more than in Asia, all collectors sent seeds from there to Europe to quench the thirst for Victorian conifers. Since then, and as a result of later collections, several species have been cultivated continuously for more than 150 years - but only in very few gardens, usually around the coastal strip of the West European coast. Recent collections, however, have made some of them more familiar to us, and the climatic conditions of the present time allow the more gentle and thermophilic species to try to spread more widely, and often successfully. But many species have not yet been introduced into culture. And it also happened that they had already tried to breed them, but for various reasons, these attempts were unsuccessful. And these pines are waiting for new attempts by "plant hunters". The Lumholtz pine (P. Lumholtzii), absent in the gardens of Europe, is a species of significant horticultural interest. It is widespread in Western Mexico. Attempts to introduce it in England were made at least twice in the 1980s, but it did not take root. She has extremely long vertically hanging needles up to 20-30 (40) cm long and even more. The weeping appearance that these needles give to the tree is the basis for the local name "pino triste", or sad pine. Other potentially European and resistant species that have not yet been introduced include P. Praetermissa, also from western Mexico.

The species that grow further south in Central America are unlikely to be cultivated in European gardens, although such attempts have often been made. One is P. tecunumanii, which is widespread in seasonally dry areas from southern Mexico to Nicaragua. Samples of populations of this pine from different points of their range were collected for testing and creation of forest crops in Australia and Africa, everywhere in countries with subtropical and tropical climates. It is unlikely that it will be sustainable with us. P. kesiya, a subtropical and tropical species of low latitudes, is of greatest interest to foresters in tropical countries. This species is too gentle for our gardens. Obviously, P. merkusii is also unsuitable for us - remarkable not only because it is the only pine tree crossing the equator (in Sumatra), but also because it is the tallest pine tree in the Old World (up to 70 m in height). However, it should be noted that the ongoing warming of the climate gives us the opportunity to grow in the open ground more and more species that were previously considered freezing and unpromising. In Western Europe, a striking example of this is the appearance in gardens and parks outside of greenhouses of an increasing number of species of trees and shrubs from Australia.

Many pines are very resilient in cold winter temperatures, but require a hot growing season to develop and show their full potential. These are, for example, views from the Southeastern United States. Some of the southern Chinese species may also benefit from the hot summer, although they do better in Europe than pine trees from the southern states of the United States. But many other plants can suffer from the summer heat. It is not for nothing that the American Horticultural Society (AHS) has developed a special map of the zones of summer resistance of plants (The AHS Plant Heat Zone Map), by analogy with the map of zones of winter resistance (The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant Hardiness Zone Map). The territory is divided into 12 zones according to the number of days per year when the maximum air temperature reaches 30 ° C. If in zone 1 there is less than one day a year with this temperature (Alaska), then in zone 12 (Texas), there are more than 210 such days. This map helps gardeners choose plants that would withstand summer temperatures in the area where they live. The Parrya species, typical of the arid regions of Mexico and the US Southwest, also thrive in hot climates and tolerate moderate droughts exceptionally well. They are, for example, culturally successful in New Zealand.

Breeding features

Pines can be grown from seeds, but decorative forms are obtained by grafting. Plants do not reproduce 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 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 poured with water. The planting depth of seeds is 5-10 millimeters.

Pine seedlings are recommended to be grown on sandy loam 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 mulch. The first shoots should appear in three weeks. Seedlings in open ground are grown for up to three years, and then transplanted to a permanent place. As long as the tree is still not quite large, there is less risk that the pine root system will be damaged during replanting.

There is also a technique for growing seedlings in greenhouse conditions for two years. Those familiar with the grafting system can try to propagate the tree this way. For this, cuttings are taken with an increase of one to three years. Trees that are four to five years old are used as a stock. All needles must be removed, leaving it only near the bud, located above the rootstock. Vaccination is done in the spring, before the buds bloom. You can also try doing 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 shoot of the current year is taken.

Formation of the crown of a tree

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

In general, using simple techniques from pine, it is quite possible to make a garden bonsai or just a cute miniature tree. The umbrella pine shearing is very popular. If you have already set out to grow a bonsai, then you need to make sure that it does not lose its decorative shape. He needs special pruning of the shoots once a year. An adult shaped bonsai is sheared with a pair of clippers. A young plant does not yet have a densely formed crown. Therefore, each shoot is cut off separately. Conifers are sheared from the end of May to almost the end of June. The best time is the period when the needles have not yet blossomed.

Appearance

The appearance of pines is extremely diverse - from large thick-stemmed giants to twisted and spread trees or small multi-stemmed shrubs. Habitat conditions greatly influence this variability. For example, the Torrey pine (P. torreyana) in its native California, reaches only 5-10 m in height and forms a short gnarled and curved trunk. However, when cultivated in a suitable location, it can become a large tree with a straight trunk up to 30 m or more. The largest pine is the majestic North American Lambert pine (P. lambertiana) - up to 75 m high and with a trunk diameter of almost 4 m.In terms of durability, pines are champions among all trees, first of all, it is a long-term pine (P. longaeva) from the west of North America living up to 5 thousand years or more.

Pine bark is often used to identify species. It can split into small or large plates, form deep longitudinal grooves, or peel off continuously to form a beautiful mosaic. It can begin to form a rough crust with cracks and delamination, consisting of large irregular diamond-shaped scales of a pinkish brown color, such as in seaside pine (P. pinaster) or Scots pine (P. sylvestris), or it can remain smooth for quite a long time. In such pines as P. bungeana and P. gerardiana, the bark resembles the bark of a sycamore, it flakes off in segments, exposing a lighter young bark under them. Pines are evergreen and aromatic plants.The crown is originally conical, with regular whorls of branches and the main leader-shoot growing straight up. Although some may be multi-barreled. Upon reaching maturity, the lower branches usually dry out, the trunk is cleared of twigs, the crown becomes wide and ceases to be conical. Shoots usually form one growth per season and end in a strong apical bud. Some species can be identified by these buds, especially in winter. In the spring, the buds lengthen into a long soft shoot, at this time of the year the young growth looks like "candlesticks", the needles appear much later, and it also lignifies later.

Pests of conifers

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

Infectious diseases are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, all sorts of worms and parasites. The most dangerous are fungal diseases. The source of infection can be the coniferous litter itself, because a lot of viruses and fungi accumulate in it. They are dangerous in that they grow in the dead tissues of the tree, release toxins, as a result of which the tree dies off.

Pine can also be attacked by pests. Plants often suffer from scabies. In this case, the needles fall off. It is extremely difficult to fight such parasites; it is better to spray with chemicals at the moment the larvae emerge. The bog bug is also common. Pine rust is caused by fungi that infect the needles. The disease manifests itself in early spring when yellow-orange spots appear on greenery, which causes further yellowing of the needles.

Features of the

The pine root system adapts to the characteristics of the given soil, since it is this system that provides nutrition for the entire tree. In case of violation of integrity, infection with infections or pests, the roots cannot fully function. As a result, the coniferous species starts to get sick. When transplanting a plant, it is important to preserve an earthen ball so as not to break the symbiosis with mycorrhiza, a fungus that provides nutrition for the tree.

Table 1. The structure of the root system of Scots pine, depending on the type of soil

On a note! Most pine species are tall trees with a deep-rooted system that ensures the stability of the crop regardless of the width and massiveness of the crown. When grown in unsuitable soil, the plants may fall due to strong winds.

Diseases and pests of roots

Pine diseases often begin with improper care. In coniferous species, immunity decreases due to waterlogging and drying out of the soil, lack of iron, phosphorus. In unfavorable conditions, the culture is affected by fungal infections. Often, all kinds of rot become the reason for the need to cut down and uproot a tree so that neighboring plantations do not become infected.

Various pests lay eggs in the ground of a pine tree trunk circle. The hatched larvae feed on the root system of the plant for the first time. This circumstance significantly reduces immunity, leads to the development of diseases.Pine weevil larvae are especially dangerous for young seedlings, they can cause the death of pine. No less harmful are the larvae of the dotted resin that settle in the root collar, the lower part of the trunk and roots. Pest control is carried out with approved insecticides.

Variegated root rot

Fungal disease that affects the wood of the rhizome and the lower butt section of the trunk. Another name is root sponge. Corrosive rot is formed, while the lignin content decreases. When hyphae is introduced into root tissues, pine reacts with abundant release of resinous resin. As a result, the affected wood impregnated with resin acquires a pronounced turpentine smell.

Typical signs of pine root sponge infestation:

• resinous nodules form in the ground;
• shoots increase in height;
• the formation of coniferous brushes;
• the color of the needles changes to yellowish, light green;
• settlement of pests - bark beetles, barbel, horn-tails.

Conditions favorable for the development of the fungus are humidity, shade, coalescence of the rhizomes of several plants. For the prevention of root sponges in spring and autumn, it is necessary to carry out sanitary felling, removing weakened specimens, dead wood, windfall. It is advisable to create group plantings with deciduous species. When infected with a fungal infection, it is advisable to uproot the tree, take it outside the garden plot and burn it. If this is impossible for some reason, treat the stumps left in the garden with an antiseptic.

White peripheral rot

This fungal infection, called honeycomb, affects the roots and base of the pine trunk. As a result, the growth of trees is noticeably reduced, cracks, resin drips, long cord-like plexuses of mushroom threads (rhizomorphs), white or light brown films appear. In addition, fruit bodies can be found on the horse's neck or roots, the crown becomes sparse, the needles brighten, turn yellow.

Wood under the influence of honey agaric collapses with the formation of white peripheral rot, outlined by black lines. At first it darkens a little, then turns brown, brightens, at the final stage it becomes whitish. Fine-fibrous rot appears, resembling corrosion. Under the condition of high air humidity, spores of a white peripheral infection quickly germinate on dead stumps, when they hit healthy roots, rhizomorphs form a branch of mycelium, penetrating the tissues of the bast and cambium. The disease progresses rapidly on young seedlings, after 2-3 years the pines die.

As a preventive measure, it is necessary to uproot and remove old stumps, to debark them. It is recommended to make insulating ditches 60x50x75 cm in size. Resistance to the disease is increased by spraying pines with a 2.5% solution of ferrous sulfate or by watering with this substance, diluted at a concentration of 5-10%. Powder and solution of sodium fluoride, a mixture of creosote with fuel oil or oil are also fatal for the fungus.

Fusarium wilting

The pathogen persists for a long time in the soil; under favorable conditions, it affects the pine through the root system. The pre-planting of seeds and seedlings provides protection against this disease, as they can also be infected. Factors provoking fusarium are sudden changes in temperature and humidity, irregularities in irrigation, lack of nutrients in the soil, heavy loam, acidity in the range of pH 3.5-5.

The disease begins with root rot. Through conducting vessels, the fungus rises into the trunk, affects the branches. The needles brighten, turn yellow, dry out. At high humidity, a whitish coating can form on the surface of pine legs. Diseased specimens must be removed and burned. For prophylaxis, to carry out sanitary cleaning in a timely manner, when planting seedlings with a bare root system, soak in a solution of Fitosporin or Vitaros for disinfection.

Brown fissured root rot

A fungal disease of the roots and lower trunk of a pine tree caused by Schweinitz tinder fungus, also called tomentose brown. Symptoms are fruiting bodies formed, stem cracks close to the ground, a dull sound when tapped, and tree tilt caused by the death of roots. The disease lasts for several decades.

The wood first becomes light brown, acquires a strong turpentine smell, then darkens sharply. At the final stage, it easily breaks, crumbles. The peculiarity of brown fissured root rot is that fruiting bodies, in addition to the trunk, are formed on the soil surface and at some distance from the affected specimens. Control measures are preventive, infected trees must be destroyed.

Pine is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and stability when exposed to adverse factors, but this feature is characteristic of adult specimens. Young seedlings need protection and proper care. Coniferous species for the first 2-3 years after planting require regular:

• watering;
• loosening;
• weeding;
• dressing;
• preventive spraying of needles and soil;
• mulching the soil.

Pine roots need sufficient moisture and air. Water as the trunk circle dries up, do not allow waterlogging. Each year, it is necessary to carry out water recharge irrigation in late autumn. The procedure has a beneficial effect even on mature trees. When a dense earthen crust forms, it must be loosened. Weeds should not be allowed to appear next to young seedlings.

Features of the root system

Pine rhizome is plastic. Today, the root system of this tree is divided into 4 types, each of which has differences in shape and structure. Namely:

• Powerful root system. It is characterized by a tap root, from which lateral roots also grow. This can often be found in areas with fresh soil that is well drained. A powerful root system, into which the main core is not strongly developed, which cannot be said about the lateral roots. They grow and are characterized by a parallel arrangement to the surface of the earth. Such a rhizome can be found where the soil is dry, and the groundwater is hidden deep underground.
• Poorly expressed root system. It is represented by short roots that branch out in different directions. The ideal habitat for a pine tree with such a rhizome is a marsh and semi-marsh area, where the soil is too moist.
• Shallow root system. Despite the fact that it does not go deep into the ground, it is quite thick. Its appearance resembles a brush. This species grows on dense ground, where groundwater is deep.

From this, we can conclude that the type of pine root system is directly related to the structure of the soil on which it grows and develops. This tree is especially appreciated for the plasticity of the rhizome. After all, pines are used for planting even on poor and swampy soils. In this way, you can plant greenery on such areas.

The root system will develop only when temperatures exceed 3 degrees. Other conifers are more frost-hardy and can grow at low temperatures. The rhizome is pivotal, so the tree is not afraid of strong winds. It penetrates into the soil by 2.2-2.5 m.But to the sides, the roots grow by 8-10 m.

Pine needles

The needles on the shoots can last from 2 to 12 years, but more often 3–6 years.

The number of needles in a bunch is a very important feature for identifying pines. Although sometimes it can vary and even be influenced by the environment. On the edge of the needles serrate or, less often, whole-edged. The location and number of longitudinal lines of stomata on the needles can also be a diagnostic sign. The needles can be triangular or almost flat.

These long and narrow leaves are located in bunches on shortened shoots of 2-5, but there can be one or three, even up to 8 needles. The base of the bundle is surrounded by a membranous, falling off or long-lasting so-called sheath of several scaly non-green leaves. Many species have long needles, which gives them a special decorative effect.

The Montezuma pine (P. montezumae) from Mexico has very long soft needles. P. patula, also from Mexico, can be noted on this basis. In some species, juvenile (or primary, "juvenile") needles remain for several years, for example, in the pines of the Parrya section. It is possible that at first it is better to leave such trees in pots until mature needles appear.

How to plant a pine tree?

When a seedling is selected, it is worthwhile to examine the rhizome well, as well as on the earthen lump. The age of a young tree should be no more than 5 years old. If the seedling is already old enough, then it is better to place it in a permanent place in winter, when the clod is still frozen.

Experienced gardeners distinguish 2 periods when conifers can be planted:

1. In the spring. Planting takes place in April or May.
2. Autumn period. The seedling is planted in August and September.

Initially, a hole is dug, the depth of which should be about 80-100 cm. With heavy soil, drainage is necessary. At the bottom of the dug hole, gravel or sand is laid out. It is recommended to bury the seedling with a combination of fertile soil, sand and sod land.

If the earth is acidic, then it must be lime. To do this, 200 grams of slaked lime is added to it. During all manipulations, it is worth paying attention to the root collar being placed at ground level. If a group planting is carried out, then it is worth leaving room for the development of the root system and the tree itself. There should be 1.5-4 meters between the seedlings.

Video about the pine root system:

If you adhere to all the planting rules, then the pine tree easily adapts to a new place without suffering from diseases. Often, young seedlings tolerate transplanting well. But the older the tree, the harder it is for it to get used to a new place, so the age of the pine should also be taken into account.

Pine tree care

Pine trees represent an unpretentious tree, so they do not need careful maintenance. But, nevertheless, some attention should be paid to them. After planting, fertilizing must be carried out for 2 years. For this, mineral fertilizers are introduced into the soil. After that, you don't need to feed the tree.

Experienced gardeners advise not to touch the needles that fall from the pine. It forms an excellent litter where organic nutrients accumulate. This will accelerate the growth of the tree, improve development. Pine trees can easily withstand drought, so watering is not necessary. Watering should be done after planting and during the growth of a young tree.

But stagnant water is not pleasant for pine, even those varieties that love moisture need rare watering, which is carried out several times per season.

When the plant is well developed, it will easily endure the winter. But for young seedlings of a decorative variety, it is worth creating protection from the scorching sun, as it leaves burns. To do this, the needles are covered with spruce branches or planted next to other trees that will create a shadow. Such protective shelters are removed in mid-spring.

Care

Until the age of 2 years, young trees need care, which will provide the most comfortable conditions for strengthening the root system and further growth.

Priming

It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the soil in the near-trunk circle, since over time it can sag or, conversely, under the influence of heavy rainfall, close the root collar, and this is already dangerous for the tree.

If necessary, add the required amount of nutrient mixture.It is necessary to carefully loosen the soil, destroy weeds.

Location

Young seedlings should be in sunny areas, but in case of extreme heat, they must be shaded at first to avoid burns.

Watering

Scots pine needs regular watering in the first 2 years after planting. But in general, this ephedra refers to drought-resistant plants, therefore, no further additional irrigation, in addition to natural precipitation, is required.

Top dressing

It is important to remember the immutable truth: it is better not to feed conifers at all than to do it wrong. Garden mixtures and complex fertilizers are completely unsuitable for these purposes.

Manure and various tinctures of green grass and weeds will lead to accelerated growth, which will result in yellowing, in extreme cases, even the death of some seedlings.

The problem is not in the amount of food, but in its composition. In specialized stores there are special fertilizers for conifers. Before purchasing these supplements, you should carefully study their chemical composition.

You need to know that the main food comes to the pine not through the roots, but through photosynthesis. The implementation of this reaction is not possible without magnesium, which is why its presence becomes an indispensable condition when choosing a fertilizer.

For high-quality feeding of coniferous representatives of the flora, absolutely the use of fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is unacceptable... This element causes an accelerated growth of green shoots, because of this, they are not able to ripen on time and prepare for winter.

It is still recommended to use mineral fertilizers. Well-rotted compost and vermicompost, a product of earthworm processing, are called the best organic "breadwinners" for these plants.

Important! Top dressing should be applied during the period of active growth - in May and at the end of August, so that before the onset of severe cold weather, the new growth has time to get stronger.

In order for the pine to quickly receive useful nutrition and to assimilate it just as quickly, experts advise turning to liquid forms of feeding. And for a gradual and prolonged exposure, granules are embedded in the near-trunk soil, the effect of which can be expected in a few months.

If the acidity is increased in the ground around the coniferous beauties, then it is more advisable to use dolomite flour to neutralize it. In addition to calcium, it contains magnesium, which is the most easily digestible for the roots.

A haircut

Oftentimes, pine trees do not need to be clipped. But with this procedure, you can slow down the development of the tree. As a result, the density of the crown will increase. This does not require special materials, it is enough to break off a third of the young growth.

But, using simple tricks, you can transform an ordinary pine tree into a bonsai or a small tree. For this, an umbrella-shaped haircut is used. In order to maintain the shape and decorativeness of the bonsai, it is necessary to pay attention to the tree, take care of it. Shoots are pruned once a year.

So, pine is an interesting tree that has its own characteristics. Each part is unique, down to the root system, which is different from other plants. To grow a pine tree, it is enough to know some rules.

Pine tree escape. The healing properties of pine shoots

Young pine shoots: an unusual source of essential nutrients. They contain many vitamins, phytoncides, antioxidants. They are used to treat colds and improve immunity, to treat bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis and many others.

Young pine shoots provide an indispensable natural aid for many diseases.

The healing properties are determined by the complex of necessary compounds that pine shoots contain:

• Vitamins Ascorbic acid, vitamin B12, plays a role in the proper development of cells that help with anemia. Group B compounds are involved in metabolic processes in the body.Vitamin K, which provides protein synthesis, is vitamin C, which protects the immune system. Carotene, which supports human vision, muscle tension, which has an excellent antioxidant effect;
• essential oils. Natural relationships support the physical and mental health of people. Normalizes water-salt balance, endocrine system, nervous system.