Is an evergreen plant with a conical crown. The crown of the fir starts from the base of the trunk. In mature trees, the crown top is rounded or notched.
The color of the peridermis is gray, it is not wrinkled in most. The peridem of mature trees thickens and cracks over time. Some garden species have green-gray or green-blue needles. The needles of most trees are flat, dark green in color with milky stripes underneath.
Fir has a pleasant pine scent. There are about forty species of fir, but not all of them are suitable for landscape gardening, as individual plants grow up to sixty meters. The bumps are located at the top of the crown. Buds take decades to develop. Fir cones fall to the ground in woody parts. Fir root, pivotal, strong.
There are fir with decorative cones, these include the following types: Korean fir, Vich fir, monochromatic fir, Fraser fir, Siberian fir. Fir is subdivided into species, which, in turn, have various varieties. Below you will find the most popular and common varieties of fir.
Did you know? Distinctive feature fir plants is the location of the resin passages in the periderm and not in the wood.
Homeland - North America and Canada. The top of the tree is symmetrical, dense, pin-shaped, low. Plant height - from 15 to 25 meters. With age, the peridermis changes its color from ash-gray to red-brown, and the shoots from ruby to red-brown. The branches are arranged in a ring-like manner along the tiers. The needles are shiny, poisonous green, with a pronounced balsamic smell, small lilac cones. 
Cones are cylindrical, up to ten centimeters long. This type of fir is shade-tolerant, frost-resistant and fast-growing. Branches lower tier take root well. Balsam fir is represented by several ornamental garden forms such as Nana and Hudsonia.
The balsam fir variety Nana is a slow-growing plant in the form of a dwarf bush. The bush is earthy, pillow-shaped, the height does not exceed fifty centimeters, and the diameter is eighty centimeters. The needles of the bush are short, ruby color, strongly knocked down, pleasantly smelling. Nana is winter-hardy, but does not tolerate high temperatures and drought.
The homeland of the monochromatic fir is the mountainous regions of the United States and northern Mexico. Trees grow up to sixty meters. The crown is wide and conical. Peridermis dense, light gray color with elongated cracks. The needles of a single-colored fir are the largest among the other species, their length is about six centimeters. 
The color of the needles is gray-green matte on all sides, they are soft and have a pleasant lemon scent. The cones are dark purple in color, their length reaches 12 cm, the shape is oval-cylindrical. Monochrome fir is a fast-growing tree, resistant to winds, smoke, droughts and frosts. Lives about 350 years. The single-color fir has several decorative forms, among them popular varieties such as Violacea and Compact.
Violacea is a lilac monochromatic fir. The top of the tree is wide, conical, and the height does not exceed eight meters. The needles are oblong, blue-white. This form of fir is rarely found in ornamental plantings. 
Campakta is a dwarf, slow-growing shrub with randomly placed branches. The length of the needles reaches forty centimeters, the color is blue. Just like Violaceu, she is very rare.
Kefallin fir (Greek)
Kefallin fir lives in the south of Albania and in Greece, in the mountains at an altitude of two thousand meters above sea level. The plant grows to a height of 35 meters, the trunk diameter reaches two meters. The crown is dense, conical, low. The peridermis becomes cracked over time. Juveniles are bare, polished to the touch, shiny, bright brown or reddish brown in color. Buds are conical, resinous red-purple in color. 
Needles up to 3.5 cm long and no more than three millimeters wide. The tops of the needles are sharp, the needles themselves are shiny and thick, dark green at the top and pale green at the bottom. The needles are arranged in a spiral manner, closely to each other. Cones are narrow, cylindrical, resinous, large. At first, the buds are lilac in color, and as they mature, they become brown-purple. Greek fir is drought-resistant, grows slowly, fears cold winters.
Whole-leaved fir (black Manchurian)
The homeland of the whole-leaved fir is the south of Primorye, North China and Korea. The tree grows up to 45 meters. The crown is dense, wide-pyramidal, loose, lowered to the ground. A distinctive feature of this type of fir is the color of the bark - at first it is dark gray, and then black. Young saplings have yellow-gray periderm. The needles are dense, hard, sharp, solid. The top of the needles of a dark green color is shiny, and the bottom is lighter. 
The needles are located on the branches in waves. Black Manchurian fir changes needles every nine years. Cones are cylindrical, light brown in color, resinous, velvety pubescent. The first ten years of life grows slowly, and then the growth increases rapidly. The tree has a lifespan of 400 years. The tree is winter-hardy, shade-tolerant, wind-resistant, requires high soil and environmental moisture.
Nordmann fir (Caucasian)
The homeland of the Caucasian fir is the Western Caucasus and Turkey. The Nordmann fir grows up to 60 meters in height, with a trunk diameter of up to two meters. The crown is narrow, conical, densely branched. Young plantings have a shiny light brown or yellow color, periderm, which turns gray over time. Youngsters are shiny red-brown and then white-gray. 
The needles are dark green, dense, the bottom of the needles is silver. You can rarely meet, since the tree has a low winter hardiness. There are several varieties of fir for decorative cultivation: Pendula Aurea, Gtauka, Albo-spikata. 
Did you know? The Nordmann fir has a lifespan of five hundred years.
Sakhalin fir comes from Sakhalin and Japan. The plant is highly decorative, up to thirty meters high, has a smooth periderm of a dark steel color, which becomes darker as it grows. The seedling diameter does not exceed one meter. The branches of the broad-conical dense crown are slightly curved upward. 
The needles are soft, dark green, with milky stripes below. The length of the needles reaches four centimeters, the width is no more than two millimeters. Cones are placed vertically, cylindrical in shape. The color of the cones is brown or black-blue, length 8 cm, diameter 3 cm. The plant is frost-resistant, requires increased moisture content in the air and soil.
Subalpine fir (mountain)
Mountain fir is native to the high mountains of North America. The height does not exceed 40 meters, the trunk is 60 cm in diameter. The tops of the trees are undersized, narrow-conical. Subalpine fir has a smooth gray periderm covered with small cracks. The top of the needles is matte grassy blue, and the bottom has two white stripes. The needles are attached in two rows. Subalpine fir has cylindrical cones and ripens annually at the end of August. There are types of mountain fir suitable for ornamental cultivation. 
Argentea is a mountain fir with silvery needles. Glauka is a subalpine fir up to 12 meters high, with a pyramid-shaped crown and elongated steel or blue needles. Compact - a dwarf-shaped fir no more than one and a half meters in height with a wide, well-branched crown. The needles are of a silvery sky color, with gray stripes below. The shape of the needles is similar to a sickle, the length is 3 cm. The needles are tightly arranged. Low-growing varieties are widespread among amateur gardeners. 
Important! Young fir seedlings must be covered for the winter, since they are afraid of spring frosts.
It grows in mountain ranges from one hundred to 1850 meters above sea level in the south of the Korean Peninsula and Jeju Island. This type of fir was discovered in 1907. The seedling does not grow taller than 15 meters. Young growth is first yellow, and then red, covered with thin villi. The needles are short, at the top are shiny dark green, at the bottom are white. The buds are beautiful bright blue with a lilac tint. Grows slowly, hardy. 
Widespread varieties such as Blue Standard - tall trees with dark purple cones; Brevifolia is a tree with a rounded crown, marsh-green needles at the top and gray-white at the bottom, and small purple cones; Zilberzwerg is a low, slow-growing variety of fir with silver needles, a rounded crown and short, densely branching branches; Piccolo is a shrub about thirty centimeters high, up to one and a half meters in diameter with a flat, spreading crown, needles of a dark grassy color.
Fir high (noble)
The high fir reaches a height of 100 meters. The homeland of the noble fir is the western part of North America. Growing habitat - river valleys and gentle slopes near the ocean. This is practically the most high view fir. It has a cone-shaped crown when the seedlings are young, and with the seedling age, the crown will become dome-shaped. Young growth has a gray-brown smooth periderm, and older seedlings have a dark brown periderm covered with elongated cracks. 
Young branches of olive-green or red-brown hue, in a cannon. Older branches are bare. The needles are small, curved at the base. The top of the needles is brilliant green, and the bottom is gray. The shape of the cones is oblong-cylindrical, up to 12 cm long, 4 cm in diameter. Not ripe cones are emerald or red-brown in color, but ripe dark brown-gray resinous. The life span of the noble fir is about 250 years. The seedling grows quickly.
Did you know? Peridermis, needles and fir buds are used for the manufacture of medicinal preparations. They contain essential oils and tannins.
The homeland of the fir is Central Japan, the habitat is the mountains. The height is about forty meters. The branches of the plant are short, located perpendicular to the trunk, the crown is pyramidal. The trunk is covered with a smooth white-gray periderm. Young growth is covered with pubescent peridermis of gray or emerald color. 
The needles are soft, slightly curved, no more than 2.5 cm. The top of the needles is shiny dark green, the bottom is decorated with milk stripes. The length of the cones is about 7 cm. Unripe cones of a red-gray-lilac color eventually acquire a chestnut color. The plant is winter-hardy, fast-growing, smoke-resistant.
The homeland of this type of fir is North America. The height of the tree is -25 meters, the crown is pyramid-shaped or conical. The young fir trunk is covered with gray periderm, and the old trunk is red, branches are yellow-gray. The needles are scanty, shiny dark green above and silvery below. Cones are short, decorative, purple-brown when mature. 
The plant is winter-hardy, but it does not tolerate gas pollution in the air. Fraser's fir is used for landscaping parks, forest parks and suburban areas. There is a shrub with a perpendicular arrangement of branches - the Fraser fir is prostrate.
Homeland Siberian fir- Siberia. It is rarely found in landscaping. The height of the plant does not exceed thirty meters. The crown is narrow, conical. The branches are thin, lowered to the ground. The peridermis is cracked at the bottom of the trunk, not rough at the top, dark gray. Shoots are covered with thick pile. The needles are soft, narrow and blunt at the end, up to three centimeters long.
The color of the needles is dark green shiny at the top and two parallel milky stripes at the bottom. Siberian fir changes needles every 11 years. Cones are erect, cylindrical, initially light chestnut or light purple, and then light brown in color. The plant is winter-hardy, shade-tolerant. There is Siberian blue, white, motley. They differ only in the color of the needles.
Important! Fir should not be planted in absolute shade, since its crown is fully formed only with sufficient lighting.
White fir (European)
White fir is a plant that grows up to 65 meters with a trunk diameter of up to one and a half meters. The crown of the plant is conical. The peridermis is white-gray with a red tint. Young European fir green or light chestnut color, eventually become gray-chestnut. The needles are dark green, silvery below. The homeland of the European fir is the countries of Central and Southern Europe. The tree grows slowly, does not like windy areas.
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In winter and summer, the evergreen Fir adequately meets all the weather pranks of nature. That is why the adamant emerald Fir among the ancient Slavs was a symbol of patience, dignity and rebirth.
Shamans made talismans from Fir, giving the owner enormous intellectual and physical strength. In addition, like many conifers, the Fir was a symbol of the new year and the birth of a new life.
fir names
According to one version Russian word"Fir" comes from the Karelian "pihka", which means "resin". Thanks to the resin, the Fir branches have an amazing fragrant aroma.
According to another version, the word comes from the Latin "Fichte", which actually translates as "Spruce". The Latin name "Abies" is also translated as "spruce".
What does a fir look like
The fir is a pyramidal tree with dense green needles. The branches of the Fir begin from the ground itself, like those of the Spruce.
Separate types trees reach 40 meters in height, but the trunk diameter remains about half a meter.
Root system consists of a central root deeply going into the ground and several at the surface. Thanks to this root system, Fir is incredibly resilient. Even strong hurricanes unable to harm the tree.
The bark of the tree is smooth with small thickenings - nodules, which contain fragrant resin.
Where does the fir grow
Fir is mainly distributed in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. Some species are found in Canada and Alaska. Fir trees are even found in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Fir is a rather demanding thermophilic tree and loves fertile, moderately moist soil. However, there are about 50 species of Fir in the world. The most common in Russia is Siberian Fir.
When the fir blossoms
Fir grows slowly and in the first years of life it adds only a few centimeters in height. Flowering occurs in spring in May.
The purple female buds mature throughout the summer and fall off in September. When all the seeds leave the bud, it completely crumbles.
The average age of Fir trees ranges from 300 to 400 years. The tree begins to bloom at about 60 years of age.
The healing properties of Fir
For medical purposes, bark, cones, resin, needles and branches are used.
Fir "legs" contain vitamin C. In addition, they extract essential oil, which is a valuable component of many medicinal and cosmetics... This oil is also obtained from tree branches.
Fir needles are able to remove accumulated harmful substances... In addition, it is used in the treatment of diseases respiratory tract... Infusions and decoctions of pine needles are taken for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Fir needle infusion is also an excellent immunostimulating agent. This is especially true in the spring. This drink not only strengthens the immune system, but also calms the nervous system.
Fir cones are steamed in a water bath and are used to treat rheumatism and to eliminate joint pain.
Fir Applications
Despite the thorny branches, fir brooms are widely used in Siberia. Fir oil is also added to shampoos to help normalize the sebaceous glands.
For joinery, Fir wood is not of particular interest. Due to the absence of resin in the wood, it is more prone to rotting than other species. However, Fir wood is the most valuable raw material for paper production.
Resonant Fir wood is used to make the decks of various musical instruments.
The resin extracted from the bark of the tree is used in the optical industry, medicine and perfumery.
Contraindications
When using products from Fir for medical purposes, you must remember about the individual intolerance to the components.
Fir oil should be used with extreme caution by nursing mothers and people with heart problems.
Before using Fir products in the treatment of any disease, you should consult your doctor.
Fir can reproduce by layering. If one of the lower branches touches the ground, it can take root and form a new tree. Dwarf fir is an unusual natural phenomenon.
The needles of the cut Fir fall off much less than the needles of the Spruce, therefore, Fir is sometimes preferred on New Year's holidays.
Fir cones unlike others conifers arranged vertically.
Fir contains phytoncides, so it can be used to disinfect a room.
Fir trees are very sensitive to factors such as dust and smoke, which is why they are rarely found in cities.
Illustration Credits: solik25, merlu , vovafritz, Nick Vasiliev (Yandex.Photos)
Fir-based recipes have been used since ancient times for youth, beauty and health. Needles, sap, bark and fir oil help to cope with inflammation in the body. Fir is rich in essential oils and tannins, as well as vitamins. Its preparations are used to improve the appearance and health of the skin and hair, weaken the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, as a remedy for pain in muscles and joints. The oil of this plant is used not only for health, but also for furniture. The beneficial properties of fir are known very widely throughout the world.
What is this plant
Fir is an evergreen coniferous tree with soft, dense needles. Fir leaves are not as tough as pine or even spruce leaves. They are flat and very soft.
Outwardly, the fir looks like a spruce, only much taller - some trees grow taller than forty meters. The trunk diameter is 40-60 centimeters.
Like the branches, they start from the ground itself. The tree has a pyramidal shape.
The fir root system is quite developed and consists of one main root, which goes deep into the ground for several meters, and several additional roots at the surface of the earth. This arrangement of the root system makes the tree incredibly resistant to weather conditions.
Thin and smooth, it has small thickenings in which fir resin or sap is produced. At the same time, fir is the only coniferous tree that does not have resin and resin passages inside its trunk. The resin is produced exclusively in the bark.
Fir cones, like the leaves, are slightly different from the cones of other conifers. Firstly, their location on top of the branches is slightly different from the location of pine or spruce cones. And also the buds that ripen do not just fall off, but partially. The stem of the cone remains on the branch while the seeds fall to the ground.
Fir seeds have wings so that they can be blown far away by the wind. Also, fir has the ability to reproduce using shoots in a vegetative way.
This is very dry wood, therefore, it is better not to light a fire near fir trees.
Fir species
There are several types of fir, which differ in appearance, size and some properties. The main ones are as follows:
- Balsamic has short needles, bent and as if "bulging" upwards. There is a clear "parting" on the branches in the needles. Trees have a height of 7 to 15 meters, depending on the variety, place of growth and environmental conditions.
- European is a relatively undersized tree with short soft needles, reaching a height of 2 meters after a couple of years of growth. Maximum height- about 10 meters. The beneficial properties of this type of fir needles make it possible to use it in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations.
- Noble is a tree that naturally grows very tall, and grows in bushes in a cultivated environment. Differs in dense comb needles with a bluish tint and large cylindrical cones. Some varieties of noble fir have pronounced blue needles.
- The Vicha fir reaches 40 meters in height. It grows slowly, has oblique comb needles not long and resinous purple buds.
- Korean is a relatively tall coniferous tree, the height of which can reach over 20 meters in the wild. It also grows slowly. It is characterized by short, rounded needles and small buds, hardly impregnated with resin. It has many subspecies and varieties.
- Caucasian is very tall. Some trees grow taller than fifty meters. Fir is characterized by very dark green needles that quickly fall off the branches, leaving them half naked.
- Monochrome - a tree with bluish-green needles. The leaves are curved upward, like umbrellas, rather long and dense. Some varieties are blue or yellow-green in color. The beneficial properties of this type of fir needles are also taken into account in the manufacture of some medicines.
- White-brown is a plant with light bark and dark green shiny needles. V wildlife reaches about twenty meters in height. It grows most often in temperate climates or subtropical. It can be found in the Far East, China or South Korea.
- Sakhalin is a tall tree with dense, but not long needles. The leaves are round, soft, dark green.
- The beneficial properties of Siberian fir are known far beyond Siberia. It is a very tall tree with soft coniferous leaves and small resinous buds. The bark, buds and leaves of this tree are very fragrant. It contains a lot of essential oil.
- Alpine is a long and narrow tree, reaching more than fifty meters in height. It has a very light bark and bluish-green comb needles.
- Black is a tree with very dark bark and light yellow-green needles. It contains a lot of oils and tannins, so it is fragrant. The beneficial properties of fir branches are widely known. Contraindications to the use of branches as part of bath brooms are the same as for visiting a bath.
Where does the fir grow
Fir is a hardy tree that tolerates frost, cold, heat, bright sun and shade well. Many species are demanding on air humidity, but too high soil moisture has a detrimental effect on the tree. It grows well in the wild and does not really take root in big cities.
Fir is most commonly found in North America, as well as in Russia in Western Siberia, China and Korea.
There are species that grow on the Pacific islands closer to Australia, as well as on the shores of the Mediterranean in Greece, Croatia, Albania and even Italy.
Useful properties of fir
Fir is very often used for medicinal purposes: resin, cones, needles, bark and branches.
Fir branches are rich in vitamin C, and needles have an amazing ability to remove harmful substances from the body: heavy metals and salts. Also, flavonoids in needles have bactericidal beneficial properties.
Indications for the use of fir - diseases of the upper respiratory tract, decoctions and inhalations are good for ARVI, colds, bronchitis. Also, decoctions and infusions of branches and needles are used as an immunostimulant. But there are some contraindications.
The beneficial properties of fir needles are also important for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Fir oil and cone infusion are used to treat joint pain, especially in old age.
Fir needles have useful properties. Inhalation prescriptions are often beneficial not only for breathing but also to calm the nervous system.
Dosage forms of the plant
In medicine, mainly fir oil is used, which is a transparent, colorless or light yellow liquid with a characteristic resinous odor. The oil is contained in fir paws and young branches, which are the main medicinal raw materials. Camphor, which is used for heart failure, is extracted from the oil. Fir also has beneficial properties for joints and muscles, as well as for normalizing the respiratory tract.
Used for medicinal purposes and resin, which is collected from the bark of trees. It is mixed with boar or bear bile and used for stomach ailments. For healing baths and inhalations, branches are harvested, which are distinguished by high bactericidal activity. For example, fir twigs brought into the room make the air almost sterile.
Fir for the treatment of respiratory diseases
Fir essential oil is indicated for various diseases of the upper respiratory tract, such as:
- rhinitis, sinusitis;
- tonsillitis;
- bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- cough of various etiologies;
- ARVI.
Inhalation helps to reduce inflammation and the severity of edema of the upper respiratory tract, which greatly facilitates the patient's condition after the first use.
They also alleviate the condition with pronounced dryness of the laryngeal mucosa, resulting from chronic diseases of the nasopharynx.
How to inhale with fir oil
In order to carry out the procedure, it is necessary to heat a small amount of water in a convenient container. There should be about a liter of water. You should add about five drops of fir essential oil to it and breathe in the steam emanating from the container for 20 minutes. To enhance the effect, you can cover with a blanket or towel.
After that you need to drink a glass of milk or tea with honey and lie down to rest.
Upper respiratory tract treatment
The following recipe will help with angina. Half a teaspoon of salt must be dissolved in one hundred grams of alcohol. Grind fresh fir needles and pour about one spoonful of the resulting composition. The composition must be insisted for a week in a dark and cool place, shaking every day. Then it must be filtered with gauze or a sieve. The resulting mixture is used for inhalation, adding to hot water in a ratio of one to ten.
With bronchitis and pulmonary diseases, there will be effective application inside the next composition. Pour one tablespoon of chopped fir bark (which can be purchased at the pharmacy) with a glass of cold water and bring to a boil, then cook for about seven minutes. The broth should be infused for an hour, and then add water to a volume of two hundred milliliters. The composition should be taken four times a day on an empty stomach (strictly before meals), fifty grams at a time.
Joint pain treatment
Fir oil is rich in useful and medicinal properties. It is a very good helper for relieving joint and muscle diseases.
- Camphor - has a pronounced analgesic effect, as well as a natural antiseptic.
- Bornyl acetate - ester, which gives the oil a specific smell of needles. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects, soothes.
Also, fir oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which the body absorbs when applied externally directly through the pores of the skin. This helps to improve the condition of the damaged or diseased joint, and to restore it.
Thanks to the correct use, the beneficial properties of fir and recipes for the compositions will allow you to get on your feet even with severe pain... Here are some recipes:
- Fir baths for arthrosis. Add a little broth of fir needles to a bowl of warm water, or make a solution of water and fir oil in a ratio of 10 drops of oil per liter of water and warm your feet or hands in the solution for about 15 minutes.
- You can first warm up the joints with a blue lamp, bags of salt, a heating pad, and then rub fir oil into the affected areas.
- Massage is also helpful. You need to add fir essential oil to the base oil. Do not use in pure form.
- Fill a half-liter glass bottle one-third with turpentine, one-third sunflower oil with ten drops of fir oil, and another third with alcohol. You can also put some camphor in the solution. You can rub the joints with this mixture every night before going to bed, and then wrap them up with something warm or cover them with a blanket.
Strengthening immunity
Fir also contains substances that strengthen and enhance immunity. Fir needles are especially rich in vitamins, antioxidants and other components useful for the body.
To improve the state of your immunity, you can make such a cocktail: pour about five tablespoons of fresh pine needles with two glasses of hot water overnight, and in the morning strain and drink a couple of sips at a time throughout the day.
In the spring, immunity also decreases due to a lack of vitamins. A decoction prepared according to the following recipe will help to cope with vitamin deficiency. Pour two tablespoons of dry fir needles with a glass of boiling water. Steam in a water bath for about 20 minutes. Then leave to infuse for about an hour. Take during the day after meals, dividing the contents into three parts. Such a drink will saturate the body with vitamins and increase resistance to various viral strains.
If you do not like the specific taste of fir broth, then you can try to make an aromatic mixture to increase immunity. To do this, you will need:
- fir oil;
- rosemary oil;
- geranium oil;
Add two drops of fir oil, one drop of rosemary oil and one drop of geranium to the base (the base can be any vegetable oil you like, often use flaxseed or corn). The resulting mixture can be used for massage, as well as for an aroma lamp. An aromatherapy session should last about 20 minutes.
Fir for cleansing the body
Medicinal properties for youth, a broth of fir also has. To rejuvenate the body, first of all, it is necessary to cleanse it. Vitamin C, which is found in large quantities in young fir needles, promotes the oxidation of toxins and their rapid elimination from the body. Also, the needles have a mild diuretic and antiseptic effect.
To cleanse the body, you can prepare a preparation for external and internal use in a complex. First, you can take a bath, enriched with fir broth, daily before bed. This has a beneficial effect on both circulatory system, and on the nervous, soothing and promoting good sleep. Through the pores, the skin is also saturated with vitamins and flavonoids.
Fir broth is prepared as follows. Pour boiling water over five to six tablespoons and leave overnight. Then add the broth to the bath or drink in small portions throughout the day.
The cleansing course should last at least two weeks. It will not be possible to cleanse the body in one day.
For skin beauty
Fir components are often used in the preparation of face masks and creams, as they have many beneficial properties:
- reduce inflammation of the skin;
- relieve swelling;
- smooth out wrinkles;
- help to improve metabolic processes in the skin.
To reduce the severity of acne and inflammation, you can wash your face with a decoction of fir, prepared according to the same principle as a decoction for oral administration. You can also use the decoction to make ice cubes to wipe your face. This not only evens out the skin tone and reduces swelling and inflammation, but also contributes to a facelift and cleansing.
To smooth out wrinkles around the eyes, fir oil is used, added to a light base, for example, peach or grape seed oil. Add two to three drops of fir oil to a few tablespoons of the base oil and apply gently to the skin around the eyes.
You can also make a mask that will restore the skin after sleepless night, smoothes wrinkles and removes swelling. Add one drop of fir oil, one drop of lemon oil and a couple of drops of rosemary to a tablespoon of olive oil. Stir and massage into face, avoiding the eye area. Let sit for about 15 minutes and wash off with water at room temperature.
For hair beauty
Fir oil has a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair, as it contains a lot active substances in the composition, and also helps to improve blood circulation.
Fir has the ability to:
- cure dandruff due to antiseptics in the composition;
- help in the treatment of hair loss;
- improve the condition of the scalp, make it smooth and healthy;
- normalize the work of the head sebaceous glands.
The oil can be added to ready-made balms, masks and hair conditioners to enhance their benefits. Fir needles are indicated for use in decoctions, with which you can rinse your head to enhance shine and give an antistatic effect.
You can also make your own masks and balms using the following recipes.
Fir oil hair masks
Anti-dandruff. For cooking you will need:
- green clay;
Dilute a couple of tablespoons of green clay with water and add 3 drops of fir essential oil to the resulting gruel. Stir. This mask should be rubbed into the scalp for twenty minutes. It helps to get rid of dandruff in a very short term... After a couple of procedures, the severity of dandruff foci will significantly decrease, and after a month of application, they will not remain at all.
Another effective anti-dandruff mask based on burdock oil. You will need:
- Burr oil;
- lemon juice.
It is necessary to mix burdock oil and lemon juice in a ratio of 1 to 1 and add 10 drops of fir essential oil to the resulting mixture. Apply the resulting composition to the scalp, actively massaging it. Wrap your head and leave the mask for an hour. Then rinse thoroughly.
To strengthen hair, you can make a mask of onions and honey with fir oil... You will need ingredients such as:
- liquid bee honey;
- juice made from grated onion (the fresher the better);
Mix two teaspoons of honey with 3 drops of fir oil, and then add a teaspoon of juice onions... Stir until smooth and mushy. Rub into hair roots. The mask should be kept on the hair for more than half an hour, wrapping the head in plastic or cling film and covering with a towel or cap. It fights well against hair loss, and also nourishes them along the entire length, saturating them with vitamins and nutrients. All this is due to the beneficial properties of fir.
Contraindications for use
Fir-based preparations should not be used if you:
- are pregnant;
- suffer from acute pyelonephritis or have kidney failure;
- have a stomach ulcer or gastritis in the acute stage.
Use fir preparations with caution, especially essential oil, if you are prone to allergic reactions. Test by applying a little oil to the skin before use.
When applying oil, bark or using the beneficial properties of fir needles, contraindications should also be taken into account.
- Abies arizonica
Homeland: Southwestern USA, Arizona.
Description of the plant: tree up to 15 m. Grows slowly, especially when young. It is close to the subalpine fir and is often considered a variety of it. Differs in smaller size, whitish, thick and strongly corky bark, smaller cones. The needles are notched at the top, correctly, comb-like, located, lighter below than that of subalpine fir, thanks to this the crown has a beautiful silvery-bluish tint. Winter hardiness: high.
Features of cultivation: grown on fertile, moist, light and well-drained soils. Like other firs, it can be damaged by Hermes. Shade-tolerant.
Reproduction: seeds. Garden forms by semi-lignified green cuttings or grafting.
Usage: for single landings and small groups. In culture, it is usually small in size and can be used for small gardens, home gardens, rock gardens, heather gardens and rocky hills.
Note: very hardy, beautiful blue fir, relatively small in size. In addition to the needles, the color of the bark is decorative.
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- Abies balsamea
One of the main forest-forming species in North America, where it grows in the coniferous forest zone. In the mountains, it rises to the border of the forest (1500-2500 m), but more often it grows in lowlands and near drains along with species of spruce, thuja, hemlock, pine and deciduous species.
When a tree reaches the age of 50-90 years, its wood is often rotted.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
A slender tree with a regular, conical or narrow pyramidal, dense crown that descends to the ground in single standing trees. The lower branches, covered with humus, root easily. At the same time, young trees growing around the mother plant create a very effective group. The bark is gray-brown, smooth, with large resin nodules. The buds are spherical, resinous, with a pleasant aroma. Reacts negatively to trampling the soil and breaking off branches. The species has a superficial root system, therefore it is prone to windfall.
It grows relatively quickly.
Latin name Abies balsamea.
Area Canada from Atlantic coast to the province of Alberta; southern border runs through Minnesota and upstate New York in the United States.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree with a height of 15-25 m and a trunk diameter of 0.5-0.8 m.
Decorativeness Very decorative appearance, thanks to the numerous young dark purple cones.
Needle shape Dark green, dull, fragrant needles, shiny on top, and with two whitish stripes on the bottom, 1.5-3.5 cm long. It is located on the shoots in several rows one above the other, functions up to 5 years.
Time and form of flowering
Cones Gray-brown, very resinous, oval-cylindrical cones, 5-10 cm long and 2-2.5 cm thick. They crumble in October. Seeds with a small wing, brown with a purple tint are 5-8 mm in size. Abundant seed yields are repeated in 2-3 years. The species begins to bear fruit from 20-30 years.
Soil requirements Prefers loamy moist soils.
Attitude to light Shade tolerant.
The species is quite gas resistant.
Frost resistance The species is frost-resistant in all areas of horticulture.
Shelter for the winter
Life span Lives up to 150-200 years.
This species grows at an altitude of 300-2000 m above sea level, forming both clean forests and mixed with beech and spruce. White fir wood (European) white, without resinous passages, resistant to rot, dries well, splits, sawn, planed and veneered, due to which it is widely used as a building and ornamental material.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
The crown is conical, in old age it is almost cylindrical, with a blunt-nest-shaped apex, the bark is light gray, smooth, sometimes with a reddish tint, cracks in the lower part with age. The trunk is well cleared of twigs, branches, slightly raised upward, move away from the trunk almost horizontally. The buds are light brown, non-resinous. The deep pivotal root system imparts wind resistance to this species.
Latin name Abies alba.
Area Carpathians, mountains of Central and Southern Europe.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree with a height of 30-60 m and a trunk diameter of up to 2 m.
Decorativeness The species is decorative due to the beautiful shape of the crown.
Needle shape The needles are flat, dull, from above - dark green, shiny, from below - with clearly visible two
white stripes, 2-3 cm long. It stays on the shoots for 6-9 years.
Time and form of flowering The species begins to bloom in spring.
Cones Female cones - green, vertical, single,
are formed near the ends of last year's shoots, male cones are yellow or purple, singly sitting in the axils of the needles of last year's shoot. Mature resinous, dark brown cones 10-16 cm long and 3-4 cm thick have an oval-cylindrical shape and a blunt apex. Yellowish seeds 7-10 mm long ripen in the fall of the first year and crumble together with the scales of the cones, leaving rods on the shoots that stick out for a long time on the branches. At the time of seed production, this species enters from 20-50 years.
Soil requirements Poorly tolerates both dryness and waterlogged soil. Prefers to grow in moist fertile soils.
Attitude to light Shade tolerant.
Resistant to urban conditions Low: The species is sensitive to smoke and gas.
Frost resistance The species is frost-hardy in the southern and middle zones of gardening.
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span Lives up to 300-400 years.
- Abies nephrolepis
Homeland: Far East, China, Korea.
Description of the plant: a tree up to 25 (30) m high, with a trunk 35 cm in diameter, with a dense conical crown. The bark in youth is light gray smooth, cracking and darkening in old trees. Young shoots are yellowish, pubescent, with a weak longitudinal groove. The buds are covered with thick resin in winter. The needles are 10 - 25 (30) mm long, from above - dark green, shiny, from below - with two whitish stomatal stripes. Cones 5-7 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide, first reddish, then dark purple, crumble in October.
Winter hardiness: high, but sometimes prone to late spring frosts.
Growing features: the plant requires high humidity, does not like overdrying. Grown on deep loose, moist, loamy or sandy loam soils. Reproduction: seeds.
Usage: for single landings, groups and alleys.
Note: it is close to Siberian fir, but it is considered less decorative (less long needles and less beautiful crown shape) and more demanding on air humidity.
The great fir is one of the most beautiful conifers growing on the Pacific coast of North America. This fast-growing forest-forming tree species grows in the mountains at an altitude of 2100 m above sea level. In the "rain" forest of Olympic National Park (Washington state), some specimens reach a height of 80 m with a crown diameter of up to 1.5 m.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
The crown is conical, on open areas starts from the earth itself. The bark is dark brown, thin, with age reaches a thickness of 5-9 cm and cracks.
Despite the decorativeness of the great fir, this plant is rarely used in landscaping because of its rather high requirements for growing conditions and climate. In Russia, this species can rarely be found in botanical gardens. Black Sea coast.
Latin name Abies grandis.
Area Grows on the Pacific coast of North America.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree with a height of 35-90 m and a trunk diameter of 80-120 cm.
Decorativeness Crown shape, needles, cones.
Needle shape The dark green needles have a four-sided shape.
Time and form of flowering Blooms in spring.
Cones Cones 6-10 cm long.
Soil requirements Prefers moderately moist fertile soils.
Attitude to light Shade tolerant.
Resistant to urban conditions Low.
Frost resistance
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span 250-300 years old.
- Abies magnifica
Height: up to 70 m.
Habitat: Sierra Nevada and Klamath mountains (California, USA); Cascade Mountains (Oregon, USA).
Places of growth: coniferous forests on the steep slopes of the temperate mountains (at an altitude of 1400-2750 m).
Fir trees grow in mountainous regions Northern hemisphere and form both pure stands (fir) and mixed forests with other species of conifers. Resinous branches of fir are covered with flat, rather soft needles, and their cones, like candles, stick out with their tops up and are concentrated mainly in upper parts CZK. Fir cones form every year. From the straight trunk, dense branches branch off in whorls, sometimes reaching the very ground. The narrow conical crown gives the tree a strict, solemn look. Some splendid fir trees are more than 600 years old, and their trunk diameter reaches 2 m. On low mountain slopes, these trees grow very quickly and give excellent construction timber... Slightly curved needles are located on the branches of fir trees, gorgeous like the bristles of a toothbrush. The young needles of the tree are silvery-blue in color, and its cones reach a length of 23 cm - these are the largest cones of all types of fir.
The Vicha fir naturally grows in the mountains of Japan, forming pure or mixed stands with spruces, other types of fir and hemlock at an altitude of 1300-2300 m above sea level.
Its wood, devoid of resin passages, soft and light, is used for pulp and paper production. In addition, some musical instruments are made from it due to the fact that the wood of the Vich fir has good resonance properties.
The phytoncides secreted by this tree purify the air from bacteria.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
A slender tree with short, horizontally arranged branches that form a loose, pyramidal crown. The bark on the trunks is grayish and smooth, even on old trees. The kidneys are small, rounded, with abundant lubrication of vitreous resin.
In youth it is characterized by rapid growth. Being a very decorative species, the Vich fir can be used for landscaping in the western regions of the European part of Russia.
Latin name Abies veitchii.
Area Mountains of Japan.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree up to 30-40 m high.
Decorativeness
Crown shape, needles, cones. One of the most decorative types of fir.
Needle shape The needles are soft, noticeably curved, up to 2.5 cm in length, shiny above, dark green, below - with clearly visible white stripes. This gives the tree a silvery-white tint in windy conditions.
Time and form of flowering The species blooms in the spring.
Cones Cones up to 7 cm long, violet-purple in youth, later brown, broad-cylindrical scales, 6-7 cm long. Seeds are yellowish, with a short wing.
Soil requirements Prefers to grow in fertile soils.
Attitude to light The species is picky about light.
Resistant to urban conditions More resistant to smoke and gases than other species.
Frost resistance The type is frost-resistant.
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span Lives 200-300 years.
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The area of the Spanish fir in the XX century. has decreased greatly. It can be found in southern Spain and in some areas North Africa, where it grows in the upper belt of mountains at an altitude of 1000 to 2000 m above sea level, forming small clean stands or plantations with an admixture of Atlantic cedar, oak, pine and juniper.
The softwood of the Spanish fir is used for the manufacture of boxes, cellulose, and also for fuel, and fir oil is extracted from its needles.
Recent studies related to the Spanish fir have shown that this plant appeared on Earth even before Ice age... Now scientists are trying to establish how it could survive.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
This type of fir was discovered in 1837 by the Swiss botanist Edmond Boisser during one of his visits to the south of the Iberian Peninsula.
The crown is wide, conical, low-set, with horizontally located branches. The bark is dark gray, smooth, cracks in old age. Young shoots are glabrous, buds are highly resinous.
- Abies gracilis
Homeland: the only grove in the world on an area of about 20 hectares is located in Russia, at the mouth of the river. Semyachik, on the Pacific coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Description of the plant: a tree up to 13-15 m high, with a dense oval-pyramidal crown. The needles are 10-30 mm long, the top is dark green, shiny, the bottom is lighter, with two whitish stripes. Cones 2.5-5 cm long, almost cylindrical.
Winter hardiness: high. Promising for breeding in northern latitudes where other firs do not withstand frosts and short summers.
Features of cultivation: grows very slowly both in nature and in culture.
Reproduction: seeds.
Usage: for rock gardens and small parks and gardens.
Note: close to Sakhalin fir and white fir. Differs in shorter needles, smaller cones, features of the structure of the bark, the shape of the seed and covering scales and the shape of the wing of the seed.
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Korean fir grows in the mountains in the south of the Korean Peninsula at an altitude of 100 to 1850 m above sea level, forming pure or mixed forests. For the first time this species was found in 1907 on the island of Chechzhudo. However, the plant received its official name only in 1920 after its careful study by French botanists.
High quality Korean fir wood is an excellent raw material for the pulp and paper industry.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
This species has a rough bark. Its young, yellowish shoots are covered with fine hairs. Later they take on a reddish tint.
Korean fir is full of grace and charm. Already at a young age, she begins to bear fruit abundantly. The gorgeous, upward-looking purple-purple buds against the bright green needles give the tree an irresistible look. Due to its decorative effect, it is widely cultivated, including in the north-west of Russia.
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This species usually forms pure fir forests and mixed with oriental spruce, aspen, maple, rowan stands located at an altitude of 1200 to 2000 m above sea level.
Nordman fir has high quality wood, which is an excellent raw material for the pulp and paper industry and construction.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
A tree with a dense, narrow-pyramidal crown, a straight trunk and slightly raised branches. The bark of the trunk is smooth, gray, with small cracks and elliptical marks from fallen branches. Young shoots are yellowish-green, pubescent, later become brownish-brown and glabrous. The buds do not contain resin, are slightly pubescent. The species is wind-resistant due to its developed root system.
The Nordman fir grows rapidly and retains its growth until a ripe old age.
Latin name Abies normanniana.
Area Western part of the Main Caucasian ridge, Turkey.
Sizes of an adult plant A powerful tree up to 50-70 m high and a trunk diameter of up to 2 m.
Decorativeness The species is extremely decorative due to its slenderness, beautiful pyramidal crown, as well as dark and dense needles.
Needle shape The needles are up to 4 cm long, dark green, shiny, with two bright white stripes below, so the crown looks silvery in the wind. The needles remain on the tree for 9-13 years.
Time and form of flowering It blooms in early May, the male cones are reddish, the young female cones are slightly convex on the sides, at first they are greenish in color.
Cones Cones are oval-cylindrical, 12-20 cm long and 4-5 cm in diameter. After ripening, they become brownish-brown and resinous, with long sharp ends bent back.
Soil requirements The species is picky about air humidity, prefers fresh, deep loams with an admixture of chernozem. However, it is able to grow on calcareous soils as well.
Attitude to light The species is extremely shade-tolerant, but grows well in illuminated places.
Resistant to urban conditions Low.
Frost resistance The species is moderately hardy. Withstands short-term temperature drop down to -25 °.
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span The species is durable, lives up to 500-800 years.
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The homeland of this species is North America. Fir plantations of one color usually
are located on shady slopes and along rivers at altitudes from 700 to 1000-2000 m
above sea level, and sometimes, for example in Rocky mountains, they rise to the height
up to 2400-3000 m.
The plant is very decorative, due to which it is widely cultivated in many countries, including Russia, where the monochromatic fir is grown in the central and northwestern regions. Especially popular with gardeners are forms with bluish and silver needles, which can decorate any personal plot.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
A large tree with a dense, conical, low-drooped crown, which becomes more rare with old age. The branches are horizontal. The thick ash-gray bark has deep longitudinal cracks. The buds are spherical and resinous.
It grows slowly: at 5 years old it reaches a height of 1.1 m, and at 10 years old - 2.2 m.
Single and group plantings, which are located against the background of larch trees, benefit significantly, especially in autumn, when their needles turn yellow and the bluish tint of fir becomes the brightest.
Latin name Abies concolor.
Area It grows in the mountains of western North America along the Pacific coast.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree with a height of 40-50 m and a trunk diameter of 1-1.5 m.
Decorativeness One of the most decorative types of fir.
Needle shape Narrow soft needles, 5-8 m long, have a lemon scent. It is dull-bluish-green on both sides, which determines its specific name.
Time and form of flowering Blooms in May.
Cones This species bears fruit every 3 years. Oval-cylindrical, dark purple cones 8-15 cm long. Light brown seeds with a pinkish wing 12-13 mm long.
Soil requirements The species is undemanding to the soil. Grows well on dry sandy soils.
Attitude to light It is the most photophilous species.
Resistant to urban conditions It tolerates smoke and gas pollution well.
Frost resistance Hardy species in the southern and middle horticultural zone.
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span Lives up to 350 years.
The name of this species indicates the structure of its grayish-pink bark, which becomes scaly with age.
V natural plantings the fir is equally scaled grows in central regions Japan. There, high in the mountains, this majestic tree (its height reaches 35-40 meters) forms pure or mixed plantings.
The soft and light wood of the fir is prized for its resistance to rot. However, it is not strong enough, therefore it is mainly used as a raw material for the paper industry.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
The crown is pyramidal, with horizontal smooth gray or brown branches. The grayish bark has longitudinal cracks. Brown resinous buds, 10-14 mm in diameter, have an ovoid or ovoid-conical shape.
As an ornamental breed, it is suitable for the middle and southern zones of gardening.
Latin name Abies homolepis.
Area Mountains of Japan.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree with a height of 25-40 m and a crown diameter of 1-5 m.
Decorativeness Crown shape, beautiful bark and needles.
Needle shape The needles are 1-3 cm long and 1-3 cm wide, have a dark green color on top, and bluish below.
Time and form of flowering The species blooms in May. Male cones, 1.4 cm long and 7 mm wide, are ovoid. Female cones are cylindrical, dark purple.
Cones Brown cones 7-10 cm long and 3-4 cm wide.
Soil requirements Prefers fertile moist soils.
Attitude to light Shade tolerant.
Resistant to urban conditions Low.
Frost resistance Hardy species in the southern and middle horticultural zone.
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span Lives up to 300 years.
- Abies sachalinensis
Homeland: Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands; Japan (Hokkaido island).
Description of the plant: a tree up to 40 m high, with a dense, conical, sharp crown. The bark is smooth, light gray, longitudinally fissured on old trunks. Young shoots are reddish-brown, densely covered with coarse hairs. Buds are small, oval-ovate, densely resinous. The needles are 18-40 mm long, soft, with a rounded or weak pomaceous apex, sharp on cone-bearing shoots; from above - dark green, from below - with two whitish stripes, densely and flatly located. Cones 5-8 cm long.
Winter hardiness: high.
Growing features: demanding on air humidity.
Reproduction: seeds.
Usage: perfect for specimen, group and alley plantings.
Note: it is quite valuable in terms of forestry, since it is relatively little prone to wood rot.
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Silver fir, or noble, grows on the Pacific coast of North America at an altitude of 1070-1680 m above sea level.
Very strong wood of this type has always been in special demand and is widely used in the construction and aviation industries in the United States. Sometimes loggers passed it off as the wood of other trees to avoid fines for the destruction of this valuable tree species.
In addition, due to its decorative value, silver fir accounts for 12% of the total sales of Christmas trees in the Northwest United States.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
Has a slender, narrow, conical crown. The species prefers a humid and warm climate.
It has a very slow growth, especially at a young age. The height of a seven-year-old tree is about 50 cm.
This species has several varieties that differ in the shape of the crown and the color of the needles. Unfortunately, they are rare in Russia.
Latin name Abies procera,
Area It occurs naturally along the Pacific coast of North America.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree up to 80 m high and a trunk diameter of 220 cm.
Decorativeness Crown shape, needles.
Needle shape The needles are soft and flat, 1-3 cm long and 0.2 cm wide. They have a pungent aroma, vaguely reminiscent of the smell of turpentine.
Time and form of flowering The flowering of the species begins in May. The female cones are at the top of the crown, while the male cones are slightly lower. The development of male cones directly depends on the ambient temperature and air humidity.
Cones The bud formation ends in August of the same year. Light brown seeds fall in late September - early October.
Soil requirements The species is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but prefers moist areas for growth.
Attitude to light Shade tolerant.
Resistant to urban conditions Low.
Frost resistance Low. The species is thermophilic.
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span Over 300 years
Evergreen tree, 30-40 m tall. The bark is gray, smooth, with a large number of resin glands. Fir needles are from 1.5 to 3 cm long, soft, flat, notched at the apex, shiny, with two stomatal stripes on the underside.
Natural area: Siberia, Europe, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Northeast China. In Altai and Sayan mountains it rises up to 2200 m above sea level. seas. In the highlands, the elfin form is found.
In the early years it grows slowly. Winter hardiness 1. Shade-tolerant. Gas resistant. Prefers moist rich soils and high air humidity, especially at a young age, although it grows satisfactorily on relatively poor and insufficiently moist soils. In the latter case, the rate of its growth only decreases, and, consequently, the annual increase.
Fir cones develop in the upper part of the crown, are erect, do not fall off entirely, but are scattered in the crown of the tree in late September-early October. Fir does not bear fruit every year. Like most pine trees, breaks in abundant fruiting can reach 3-4 years. Active fruiting begins at the age of 40-50 years, but in open habitats, the beginning of fruiting is noted at 15-20 years.
It successfully propagates by seeds, which, when sown in spring, sprout in 3 weeks. Cold stratification of seeds at 1-4 ° C for a month increases their germination and germination energy. In nature, it successfully reproduces vegetatively due to rooting of the lower branches or branches of fallen trees, forming a dwarf tree. You can sow in spring after the frost stops or in the fall, followed by rearing 2-3-year-old seedlings at school. For landscaping, it is best to use large seedlings, growing them in school for 4-5 years or longer.
Decorative with a narrow conical dense crown. The existence of intraspecific forms is known, differing in the structure of the crown and the color of the needles.
Along with typically dark green plants, sometimes there are specimens with bluish, yellowish-white or silvery needles along the edges and an atypical crown shape (weeping, pyramidal, spherical (shrub), etc.). To preserve these characteristics, it is necessary to propagate such forms only by grafting onto a regular stock.
Siberian fir is one of the most valuable conifers for gardening and landscaping in the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia. Effective when creating small landscape groups and as a tapeworm on lawns. It is also of interest when creating large arrays.
The most important condition for the growth of Siberian fir is air humidity. The optimal amount of precipitation is at least 600-700 mm per year, although it can grow in less humid climates.
Recently, fir has become quite often used in green building when creating landscape groups, less often in alley plantings. It should be noted that at a young age, fir is often more demanding on soil fertility, air humidity and does not tolerate prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. ...
- Abies nebrodensis
The tree is up to 15 m high, with a pyramidal, dark green crown, slightly squat; the trunk is straight or slightly curved. The needles spirally cover the branches, trying to take a more even position compared to those in the shade; the length of the needles is up to 2 cm, and the width is up to 3.5 mm; the upper side of the needles is green and shiny, and the lower side is greenish-white. Male spikelets are tightly located on the sides, they appear greenish-yellow with their purple scales. Female cones stand on a short peduncle, at first they are yellowish-green, then, when ripe, they become greenish-brown and reach a length of 10 cm. They have a cylindrical shape, the top is conical; scales bent downwards stand out strongly.
ORIGIN. The tree is endemic to the town of Madonie on the territory of Polizzi Generosa (Angel Valley), where no more than thirty specimens grow - this is all that remains of the forests that once disappeared and grew here. In Italy, in addition to individual specimens that grow wild in Madonie, where you can admire them, there are artificial plantings in different parts of the Southern Apennines.
The tree grows at an altitude of about 1,500 m above sea level - on rocky limestone soils, in the climatic zone between the upper border of stone oaks and beech forests; it's hot enough here and dry summer, and in winter there is a lot of snow and very low temperatures are not recorded. Now the place of the former forest is occupied by thickets that have grown on the site of destroyed trees - with them they share the former habitat of the "Sicilian fir". The tree is under protection, since this species is listed in the international Red Book.
SIMILAR TYPES. Numidian or algerian fir (Abies numidica) is usually considered the twin of the Sicilian fir, but some scientists are sure that similar species should be looked for in "Greek fir" (Abies cephalonica) which, indeed, are very similar to nebrodensis... The Numidian fir has the same trunk and short needles, but the cones do not have protruding scales, and the Greek fir is slender and majestic, with long and thorny needles.
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Subalpine fir grows in mixed forests in the western part of Arizona, at an altitude of 2400-3000 m above sea level, where it is adjacent to the Engelman spruce. The needles of this tree have a wonderful aroma.
In culture, subalpine fir has been maintained since 1863. It is best cultivated in regions with a humid and warm climate. A valuable ornamental tree, this picturesque tree is widely used in landscape design. It looks especially impressive in single and group plantings.
At a young age, subalpine fir cultivars can be formed, giving the plants a more compact form.
FEATURES OF THE VIEW
The crown is narrow-conical, undersized in the alpine zone. Young bark is smooth, silvery-gray, later grayish-brown, with a crust. Young branches are ash-gray, shortly pubescent, rarely glabrous. The buds are small, ovoid, highly resinous. The root system of this type of fir is superficial, so the breed is prone to windblows.
Latin name Abies lasiocarpa.
Area Mountains of North America.
Sizes of an adult plant A tree up to 30 m high and a trunk diameter of about 45-60 cm.
Decorativeness The view is very decorative. Its purple buds look great against the green background that the needles create.
Needle shape The needles are dull-bluish-green above, with two white stripes below, unevenly collected in rows and directed upwards. Keeps running for 9 years.
Time and form of flowering Blooms in spring.
Cones Cones are cylindrical, numerous, standing side by side, oblong, 6-10 cm long. At a young age, dark purple. Covering scales 20-25 mm wide, hidden. Ripen in August. Seeds are conical, with a shiny wing.
Soil requirements Prefers moist fertile soils.
Attitude to light The type is shade-tolerant.
Resistant to urban conditions Low.
Frost resistance Low. The plant is thermophilic.
Shelter for the winter Young plants in the first year of planting.
Life span More than 300 years Lives 250-300 years.
A beautiful tree, very common in the Siberian taiga, not too familiar to most residents European Russia- Siberian fir. Meanwhile, it grows on this side of the Ural ridge. The fir is not only beautiful and interesting; it also possesses considerable useful properties.
Hello dear reader!
By the way, in the article in question, there is a link where you can download my book about the creator of this free of charge interesting park Illarione Ivanovich Dudorov. There is a similar link on the My Books page.
What does Siberian fir look like?
She has a slender, tapered crown. The tree grows mainly with a top, like. And it can grow up to 30 meters. It's a lot. I, for example, have never seen such firs. And it is unlikely to succeed ...
Of course, the "cone" will turn out if the tree grows freely, in open places, and not in a dense forest. After all, the dense needles of fir transmits very little light, and even such a shade-tolerant breed will not have enough of it below. The same thing often happens with spruce trees.
A forest area overgrown mainly with Siberian fir
Fir taiga is a very gloomy place. Very few plants grow at its bottom. Mostly these are mosses and a few shade-tolerant grasses. It is no coincidence that in Siberia such forests are called "black taiga" or "rabble". I suspect that there are similar forests in the Komi Republic.
But here Siberian fir does not form pure plantings in our country. Except that - in very small areas. According to the well-known local historian Alexander Kuznetsov, he saw similar areas in the Talitsky Forest reserve. In his youth, he participated in an expedition exploring forest complexes in the upper reaches of the Unzha River. As a result of it, a reserve appeared. I was not with them that year, I didn’t bother to visit those places and to this day.
I will not "move too far" from A.V. Kuznetsov. According to his research, in the Totem region Vologda region(this is its "middle part") there are three rivers with names: Fir tree , Pikhtyanitsa and Pikhtyanka as well as villages Bolshoe Pikhtyano and Maloye Pikhtyano ... He derives these toponyms from the name of the tree, which now hardly occurs in these places, but was earlier more numerous.
At the same time, the word "fir" is usually derived from the German Fichte – « Pine"(Etymological Dictionary of Max Vasmer). Alexander Vasilyevich also agrees with this statement. But after all, the word somehow got into not only scientific use, but even into the popular names of rivers and villages ?! There is a feeling of "a certain mystery" ...
Siberian fir for life chooses plots with enough fertile soils... Often grows close forest rivers and streams. Its usual neighbors in the forest are spruce and birch. In such forests, fir is in no way inferior in size to spruce. She even has an advantage! For spruce, the roots are usually superficial. In strong winds, forest giants often break down and break down. In fir, the root, as a rule, is taproot, extending into the depths. It is more stable with windblows!
However, in such forests, I have never seen "pure fir" plots with an area of more than "one hundred square meters". One of them is shown in the photo above.
Bark and needles of Siberian fir
You can distinguish fir from spruce primarily by the bark on the tree trunk and needles. The bark is light gray, often with a greenish tinge. Unlike spruce, it is smooth and never cracks. And yet - the fir bark is covered with small nodules. Press on it - a drop of odorous resin-sap will sprinkle.
Siberian fir from spruce is easily distinguishable by its bark
The fir needles are simply gorgeous! It is usually much longer than spruce. Not at all prickly, soft. The needles are flat, with a small notch. On the underside of the needles, you can see two longitudinal whitish stripes. Needles, like spruce, grow singly along the entire branch, arranged in a spiral.
Siberian fir is distinguished from spruce by needles
The fir branch is distinguished by a pleasant coniferous smell, much stronger than that of spruce and pine. Another difference between fir needles and spruce needles is that, when it dries, it does not turn brown and does not crumble from the branch. If you bring a couple of fir twigs from the forest for the New Year and make a New Year's bouquet, this composition will stand until spring.
The branching of the tree, like that of our other conifers, is whorled. A whorl crowns the top. This is the fastest growing part of the tree - by several tens of centimeters per year. Side branches extend from the trunk in whorls. And here is the top of the lateral branch in the spring. Several buds are visible giving rise to a new whorl.
Siberian fir in spring
But, like in spruce, the lateral branches of the Siberian fir branch out so that a “paw” is formed, hanging down. No snow will hold on to such branches - it will slip and fall, freeing the branch from unnecessary load.
The lower branches of a tree growing in relatively good light can reach considerable length. In places of contact with the ground, such a branch is able to take root. This method of vegetative propagation - by layering - in the Pine family is only found in fir.
New trees, as it were, creep along the ground, spreading to the sides of the mother's trunk. It may die, but the layers will live and give new growth. It turns out a kind of cedar dwarf, only, unlike it, this is not another species of the genus, but the same Siberian fir.
But still main way breeding of Siberian fir - seed. In its cones, winged seeds develop, carried by the wind around the world. Siberian fir cones are another attraction that distinguishes it from spruce trees.
Unfortunately, this magnificent tree decoration is not easy to see. The fact is that cones develop most often in the upper, more wind-blown part of the crown. They appear at a tree growing in an open place, at about the 30th year of life. But the fir, growing in the thick of the forest, "bloom" only at the age of sixty - seventy.
In the spring, round, pea-sized, yellow formations grow in the axils of the needles at the tops of last year's shoots. These are male bumps with pollen.
A little later, on the tops of the same shoots of the last year, female cones appear - seed. The timing of the appearance of male and female cones is needed to prevent self-pollination.
Unfortunately, a search in pictures of both Yandex and Google for the query “Siberian fir cones”, as a rule, gives something quite different from what it really is! This disgrace occurs due to the carelessness of Internet authors illustrating their articles on firs with the first photo they come across.
What will we see there? First of all - very beautiful, spectacular blue Korean fir cones. The tree is often grown in gardens, and removing the cones is not such a big deal, even for the hobbyist. There are also balsamic fir cones - the one from Canada. Also, many garden varieties have been created. White fir cones (European). How to figure it out?
I really wanted to illustrate this article with my photographs of Siberian fir cones! Alas, as I said, they grow quite high, and I haven’t started a helicopter or even a drone yet. Therefore, until better times, I use a photo found on the same Internet. However, these are exactly the cones of Siberian fir, filmed in the Komi Republic.
Siberian fir cones
The female cones of our fir are not blue, not purple. They are always green in their youth. Not so impressive, but true. Of course, the bumps in the photo are not "first youth" at all. They have long been pollinated and closed. The seeds ripen in them. But these are still young, not mature cones.
In any of the firs, the female seed cones on the branch stand vertically upward, and do not hang down like spruce ones. This distinctive feature kind.
Pollinated in spring, small green female cones very quickly become the same as in the above photo. The seed scales in them are not only tightly compressed. They are gummed so tightly that the resin often comes to the surface. Nothing should stop the seeds from ripening!
By the fall, the cones become brown. And soon something happens that further distinguishes them from spruce. Fir cones, in which the seeds are ripe, are crumbling! Seed scales fall down, releasing seeds with lionfish flying. On the branches there are only lonely "pins" - the very awn to which everything was attached.
When ripe, cones of any fir, not just Siberian, decay. This is also a generic sign.
Seedlings will appear from seeds in spring. In the photo - a very young fir. Not a "newborn", of course - she is already several years old.
Other features of Siberian fir
It is distinguished by a strong peculiar smell, which is not characteristic of our other conifers. I have already spoken about the aroma of branches and needles. But not only needles smell. The bark of a tree smells. The strong smell of freshly sawn wood is very specific. To some, it will seem unpleasant, like any strong aroma. Even dried and planed boards smell! The smell, of course, is determined by the substances in the resin. When they are distilled off, essential fir oil is obtained.
The pattern of sawn wood is quite peculiar - some stains, yellowish, pale purple spots. Sometimes such a board can even be mistaken for rotten. In fact - just such is the Siberian fir!
The tree is susceptible to a considerable number of diseases and pests. Here is a photo of a young fir in the forest. A strange yellowish-green formation - not at all some foreign body... This is a branch of the fir itself, but affected by a rust fungus. Melampsorella cariophyllacearum.
"Witch's broom" on Siberian fir
Under the influence of the fungus, cells grow incorrectly. Foresters call this disease "rust cancer", and the education itself is called "witch's broom". When caring for a tree, such branches should be removed and carefully burned to prevent the dispersal of fungal spores.
Siberian fir is a very peculiar representative of our conifers. It may well serve as a good decoration for gardens and parks. But it won't grow in polluted air! This breed is quite demanding on living conditions.
We will talk about the use of Siberian fir, its beneficial qualities for humans another time.
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