Thuja Spiralis is a tall coniferous tree that looks like cypress. It got its name for the original shoots, which twist around its axis, like screws. An adult tree after several haircuts resembles a spiral staircase. The homeland of thuja is West America. The tree, long brought to Russia, has been successfully used in landscape design to create unique bizarre compositions.
Features and Description
Thuja western Spiralis has a dense dark green crown. Young trees have needles of light green color. The branches are short, cones are bright green, oval in shape. The ends of the shoots resemble fern leaves. The bark of young trees is smooth; over the years, it cracks and becomes dark brown. The root system of Thuja Spiralis is superficial, branched.
The description of the thuja Spiralis will be incomplete, if not to mention the fact that it grows rapidly, annually adding up to 20 cm in height, which is very uncharacteristic for conifers. Crohn develops unevenly, therefore, requires constant forming pruning. In young plants, it is narrow and loose, but with age it becomes denser, becomes thick and cone-shaped.
Winter-hardy and undemanding to growing conditions, the tree can be planted everywhere in any region. It withstands drought and frosty winter well. For planting, you can choose any areas, but rapid growth is observed on sufficiently moist and nutritious soils.
Previously, thuja western was widely used in pharmacology for the manufacture of expectorant, choleretic, hemostatic drugs. Now it is used only to create homeopathic medicines to get rid of warts and drugs that relieve rheumatic pains.
Landing and care
Thuja western Spiralis acidifies the soil over time. It must be planted at a distance of at least 6 meters from fruit trees. Phytoncides, which thuja emits, like all coniferous crops, can destroy berry and fruit shrubs.
For planting, you need to choose a well-lit place or partial shade, it is desirable that it be protected from drafts. The plant prefers the soil light, friable. When planting in ordinary garden soil add sand or peat (up to 25%). On heavier soils, thuja can also grow, but in this case it needs to provide good drainage.
Young trees are planted in the spring, during the growing season they will have time to take root and will not freeze in winter. After planting for a month, the trees shade so that they do not get burns. It is necessary to focus on the earthen room. The pit should be 2 times deeper and wider than it.
Landing options thuja western Spiralis:
- Single. In a solitary landing, thuy Spiralis is placed on a lawn or other open areas of the garden.
- Group Trees are located at a distance of 3-5 meters from each other.
- Bouquet. Two or three trees are located in one pit at the smallest distance. They will look like one bouquet with a thick and lush crown.
- Hedge. Thuja green fence is a great way to protect the site from prying eyes. Trees are planted at a distance of 70 cm from each other. To make the thuja hedge look neat, the trees require periodic pruning to the same height.
Watering
After planting a tree requires regular watering (once a week). A bucket of water is poured under the root of each plant. A tree planted in a hot and dry period is watered more often and more abundantly. Thuja branches evaporate a lot of moisture, so it responds well to sprinkling.
Top dressing
Fertilize the tree in spring. You can use any complex fertilizers, which are sold in a large assortment in gardening stores. Enough 50 g per square meter. With the onset of the growing season, thuja does not need additional nutrition. It is necessary to loosen the soil and mulch the trunk circle with compost or peat. The plant has a superficial root system, so as not to damage it, it is necessary to loosen the soil superficially, not more than 10 cm of the upper layer.
Pest control
Despite the fact that the thuja is unpretentious to the growing conditions, sometimes parasites appear on it, the plant becomes sick and becomes a refuge for harmful insects. The most common diseases and pests:
- Rust. The fungus affects the needles, it is yellower, it becomes dry. Diseases are primarily affected by young trees. Fungicides are used to combat this disease.
- Phytophthora. A dangerous disease can cause the affected root system to dry out and the tree to die. The plant is treated with fungicides, and the soil of the trunk circle is removed a few centimeters and a new one is added.
- False shield. Yellow ulcers appear on the trunk of the affected tree. To destroy a dangerous pest, the plant is treated with kalbofos, horn or anti.
Thuja in garden design
The tree is perfect for landscaping a personal plot. Thuja is combined with many hardwood plants. The only exception is birch and bird cherry. Majestic thujas are planted in high hedges. They close a garden site from prying eyes by a dense wall.
It is used as a tapeworm, but also goes well with other trees and shrubs in contrasting panoramic compositions.
Thuja alleys that lead to a house or a pond look very original. The tree can be planted in pots and placed next to the front doors or on the balcony.
Thuja is recommended for landscaping playgrounds, hospitals, clinics, resorts. Phytoncides, which produces aromatic needles, have a beneficial effect on human health.