Vicha fir is an evergreen tree that has its own characteristics both in reproduction and in cultivation. Currently, breeders have bred many subspecies of this culture. Such a tree propagates easily, and most often it occurs naturally. Its habitat is limited, as not all environmental conditions may suit them.
Description
It is known that Vich's fir, the photo of which is given in the article, belongs to the Sosnovy family, the genus Fir. This monoecious tree grows on the Japanese islands. And there he is called "Sirabiso."
Vich's fir got its European name on behalf of John Gould Veitch, a famous botanist and gardener in Britain. But the first mention of this species was in 1861, when John Lindley described it in his book.
Vicha fir is a tree whose height reaches 25 meters. But there are specimens growing up to 35 meters. The tree is slender and has a conical crown, which branches slightly to the base. In its diameter, the trunk is usually 30-50 centimeters. The bark is smooth, gray. If a young fir, then it can be with a green tint.
Its branches are short, and are arranged horizontally on the tree. The tips are usually reddish-brown in color, also have annular folds. Vicha fir, the description of which is necessary to determine the species, has small buds of brown color. Their shape is usually oval, and at the same time they are very resinous.
The needle of Vicha’s fir is small, not more than 2.5 centimeters in length. They are slightly combed and always either directed up or forward. The needle ends can be split and truncated. They are painted dark green, and have two white stomata. Veichi’s needles are notable for their furrowed shape and the fact that they are glossy. Resin passages are located to the center, but sometimes it happens to the edge. Vicha fir blooms more often in May.
Cones of culture are always dense and heavy, have a cylindrical shape. Initially, their color is bluish-purple, and then it gradually turns brown. The size of the cones varies from 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters. Their width is usually 3 cm.
Vich Pendul fir seeds usually ripen in autumn, but no later than October. They are no longer than seven millimeters, have a yellow color with a dark shade. On one tree there are usually no more than five cotyledons. It is proved that a thousand seeds weigh no more than forty grams.
Growth and distribution conditions
It is known that Vicha fir of Pendula variety grows on two Japanese islands: Honshu and Shikoku. The area of its growth in natural conditions is limited. But now, Veicha is the dominant culture in central Japan, where there are a large number of subalpine forests.
Usually this fir forms small forests. In them you can find other trees and shrubs, for example, Ayan spruce, multi-leaved tsuga, Chonoski maple, mountain ash, Erman's birch. The trees adjacent to Vicha fir can reach a height of 24 meters.
Be sure to live in fir forests and animals. The most common inhabitants are Japanese dormouse, chamois and flying squirrel. Of the birds in such forests, you can often find Japanese zaryanka.
Veitch fir in culture
It is known that Vichy is a decorative fir species, which is famous for its beautiful crown shape. Currently, some subspecies can be found in the denrological garden of the Timiryazev Academy of Agriculture in Moscow.
It is also known that in the Lipetsk region grows one of the best cultural specimens, which differs in several characteristics. So, this Lipetsk fir Vicha (Pendula) frost resistance is increased. And besides, the culture is drought tolerant. This fir still differs and growth rate. So, at the age of twenty-three years, she had already reached eight meters, and the diameter of her trunk was about thirteen centimeters.
Vicha grows in acidic and dry soil, which is located in direct sunlight. Shaded places do not affect its growth in any way, therefore, where there is no sun, young fir growth perfectly grows. If the snow cover is reliable, then Veitch will be quite frost-resistant. It applies moderately to moisture: it does not like drought, but stagnation of water will not do it good.
Fir grows on clay soils, preferring the northern slopes, where there is clean air. Its pollution does not tolerate well, therefore, practically does not take root in cities. Vicha is short-lived, but it is growing rapidly. It is known that after planting in open ground such a tree in two years can rise up to seventy-five centimeters. During the first two decades, Vicha can grow one meter every year, but then its growth gradually slows down or even stops.
It is necessary to transplant such a fir at a young age, since a mature tree does not survive a transplant well. It is desirable that the height of the culture was not more than 90 centimeters. Vicha can easily interbreed with different firs, but only from a kind.
Reproduction occurs by seed. Sowing is carried out in February in closed ground, and in March it can be transplanted from planting pots into open ground. But such an event can be carried out when the risk of night frost disappears.
Vicha Fir Development
Veicha begins to bloom quite early. As soon as the tree reaches a height of six meters, female strobiles appear on it. It is known that under natural conditions, seeds that fall on the ground germinate in small quantities.
Applying Vicha Fir
The wood of this type of fir is elastic, so it is often used not only in construction, but also in the manufacture of a variety of dishes and containers. It differs in high strength. In places where fir grows in large quantities, it is also used in the paper industry. It is known that fir wood sounds very good, therefore it is often used for the manufacture of musical instruments. There are countries where Vicha fir is used as a Christmas tree.
Decorative properties
Vicha fir is a decorative species, which is distinguished by its excellent shape and amazing color of the crown. The slenderness of this tree has long been appreciated, so since 1865 it has been successfully grown.
Cultivars
Currently, more than ten cultivars of Vicha fir have already been bred. First of all, it is Golden, which is a tree in a conical shape. Its distinguishing feature is the golden yellow color of the needles, for which he received such a name. There are such types of Veitch fir, in which the needles are painted either in a silver-blue hue, or simply in a silver color.
There are dwarf varieties that not only grow slowly, but can also have a variety of shapes: pillow-shaped or weeping. Such varieties are appreciated by gardeners and are often used in landscape design.