Trees are necessary for our planet, like air, because it is thanks to the green spaces and forests that we breathe. The Earth’s atmosphere, filled with carbon dioxide fumes, would very quickly become unsuitable for breathing, based on this banal slogan “Take care of the trees!” takes on a new meaning. Fortunately, during the years of his life on Earth, man did not manage to destroy and cut down all natural riches, but a tendency towards the extinction of some species of trees has already been outlined. There are trees that are now mentioned only in historical documents. For example, Pau-Brazil, a plant with red wood, which the conquistadors mercilessly cut down and exported from Brazil. Now, its name is once widespread recalls only the name of the South American country. To prevent this from happening with the rest of the trees, we must remember their exceptional benefits to humanity.
Siberian beauty: appearance, features
Today we will talk about several representatives of the plant world, which differ from each other, but are necessary for people, bring great benefits and aesthetic pleasure. Siberian larch comes to the fore. It belongs to the pine family. It grows up to 40 meters high. Unlike other conifers, it is summer-green. This means that by autumn the tree successfully gets rid of needles. But this is not the only of its amazing features. It is interesting that how much Siberian larch lives, the entire period does not grow. 40 years is the maximum age to which it can be extended by a meter per year.
It is distinguished by the following symptoms:
- conical long trunk. Sometimes it is quite massive and reaches 1.5 meters in girth;
- the bark is very thick and stiff;
- the larch crown may be ovoid or cone-shaped;
- the root system is extensive, which gives the tree resistance to stormy winds (with the exception of moist soils);
- larch - monoecious plants, with the formation of male and female flowers on the same tree;
- cones are oval, about 5 cm long;
- ejaculation begins at the age of 15, but if the trees grow closely, then even later.
Many are interested in how long Siberian larch lives. A tree lives on average up to 400-500 years. But sometimes there are long-livers whose age exceeds 900 years!
Life Extension Tree
How many Siberian larch lives, so much successfully prolongs human life, namely, it heals from many ailments. Decoctions from larch branches, especially from young shoots, help with prolonged coughing, kidney stones, constipation. With such a formidable ailment as scurvy, from ancient times used coniferous larch infusions. Turpentine, made on the basis of this plant, is rubbed to combat rheumatism, gout, myositis. Also, the substance released from the sponge of larch is used as a sleeping pill.
All the centuries that Siberian larch lives, it helps people successfully cope with diseases.
For the benefit of people
In addition to medical value, the tree has great economic value. How long does a Siberian larch tree live, so much is considered an excellent building material. Even ancient Pomors made their ships from this tree species. Watchtowers, dating back to the 17th century, have survived. The structures were built of solid larch logs and remained imperishable to this day. What is the secret of such unusual strength? The fact is that:
- the tree is not subject to decay, it can lie at the bottom of the reservoir for many years and from this only become stronger;
- larch is resistant to heterogeneous fungi;
- it has a large weight, therefore it drowns in water (it is fused in a bundle with other logs);
- contains tannin in large quantities.
Therefore, for centuries, how many years Siberian larch has been living, bridges, houses, poles are built from it, sleepers are made and mines are strengthened. Also, wood is used to make rivets for barrels; shingles and furniture are made from it. Non-week wood is used as fuel. Due to the presence of tannin, larch extract is used as a dye and for tanning hides.
How many years does the Siberian larch tree live? This largely depends on the human relationship to her and to nature as a whole. A tree can be cut down quickly, but it will take decades to grow. Therefore, the irrational use of natural resources, which are by no means infinite, is unacceptable.
Remarkable facts
How many years Siberian larch lives, so much good glory goes about it. People rumble about its wonderful properties. The facts speak for themselves:
- in the legendary city on the water of Venice, piles for residential buildings were made from larch trunks. This happened during the Renaissance, but when they began to be tested for strength in the 19th century, they were amazed: after so many years in the water, the tree did not even take an ax;
- in the dense taiga since the 17th century imperishable are larch trees that fell for various reasons;
- ancient sarcophagi found in Altai made of this tree have been surprisingly preserved since the Bronze Age.
Larch grows mainly in Siberia, which explains its name. This is a natural gift that people must cherish more than an eye.
Modest aspen
An inconspicuous member of the Willow Aspen family prefers a temperate and cold climate. The voluminous root system holds the tree firmly to the surface. Aspen grows quite quickly, but due to soreness, survives a maximum of 90 years (almost the human age). It can be found in the vastness of Kazakhstan, Belarus, in Ukrainian forests, in Russia and Europe. The tree loves river banks, ravines, clearings and edges. Prefers moist soils.
Ominous legends
Around the aspen has long been formed a lot of legends, and peasants and ordinary people openly did not like her. The tree was not planted near houses, did not take refuge in its liquid shade. What is the reason for popular hostility? It is unsuitable in the household: aspen burns poorly, does not give enough heat, and is prone to rapid decay. But there were mystical reasons: according to the legendary biblical parable, the traitor Judas hanged himself on an aspen, and the cross for the crucifixion of Jesus was also made of aspen. Therefore, it was considered a cursed tree that trembles even without wind. This is true: aspen leaves are almost always in motion, but biologists explain this fact by the special sensitivity of tender leaves.
But such an attitude is unfair. Indeed, at the same time, ancient people drove out unclean forces with a sharpened aspen stake , they searched for thieves with the help of an aspen rod, and they used clean water from aspen log cabins.
Assistant Aspen
The modern use of aspen is quite wide. In addition, it is planted in park areas, with the help of aspen, paint products, process leather, make containers, matches and plywood. Aspen log houses are also in demand. Aspen "liquid smoke" is used for marinades and smoking products. It also has numerous medicinal properties, which are very much appreciated by traditional medicine.
This merciful tree with a thin bark during the winter cold saves many forest inhabitants, being for them the only food.
Long-livers of the Northern Hemisphere
And now we will talk about berry yew, a long-lived tree, since its age reaches 4 millennia. Previously, it was distributed in Western Europe, Asia Minor, in the Caucasus. But people quickly destroyed this unique tree. Its wood is almost eternal and has antibacterial properties.
Houses in which there were only yew ceiling beams could save from pandemics, since a wonderful tree prevents the development of bacteria even in the air.
Yew hunting
The yew tree was used not only for construction. Furniture was made from yew, and even later, expensive wood was used to make sacred objects and caskets for storing relics. Unique material kept them safe from spoilage. Only very noble persons could afford yew lodges. This uniqueness has served the yew berry unkind service: it is not common in nature, mainly cultivars are widespread.
Now it is widely used in topiary art, especially in the United Kingdom. In green building, curbs, labyrinths, and various shapes are made from yew.
If we compare how much Siberian larch, aspen, and yew berry live (500 years, 90 years, and 4 thousand years, respectively), it seems that this is a very long time. But these unique trees are threatened with extinction if people do not change their minds and save them from extermination.