On the streets of our country and abroad you can meet a beautiful and amazing tree - chestnut. It is distinguished by almost everything: huge leaves, fruits hiding behind prickly needles, and inflorescences similar to candles. The tree has its own characteristics, applications and varieties. Today we learn more about this, as well as why chestnut does not bloom.
Description
Trees belong to a separate genus of the beech family. They prefer a temperate warm climate, in the wild they grow mainly on the slopes of the mountains. They do not like too dry or wet, as well as wetlands. There is a famous representative of this kind - Chestnut hundreds of horses. Firstly, the age of the tree is more than two thousand years. Secondly, the trunk girth is 57 meters, due to which the plant is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
In the vastness of our homeland, the most famous species is horse
chestnut. Trees reach a height of up to thirty meters. Crohn is magnificent, dense, rounded or pyramidal in shape. The trunk is flat, massive dark gray. At an early age, it is smooth, with years covered by longitudinal cracks.
The root system is superficial and very sensitive. Drought can cause chestnuts to not bloom.
In urban conditions, the roots can lift a special coating: asphalt, tile.
Varieties of horse chestnut
There are several representatives of this tree. They differ in appearance and when they bloom. Horse chestnuts are common in different parts of Europe, in Ukraine and in Russia. Here the conditions are very good for them. The appearance of these trees is known to every resident of the country.
Chestnut yellow refers to the North American species. It differs by a smaller inflorescence (10-15 cm) of a pale yellow hue. It blooms in late May. The foliage falls quickly enough.
Small-flowered chestnut - shrub. Prefers a warm climate. At home in America, his crown reaches a girth of four meters. In Russia, most often does not exceed half.
Hybrid chestnut tolerates a period of cold weather. However, in the south its size significantly exceeds the northern counterparts. It can reach twenty meters in height.
Landing and care
These trees are planted with seeds that are distinguished by good germination. Depth of planting is approximately 8 cm. Up to forty pieces can be sown per square meter. Perform this procedure in the spring (end of April, beginning of May).
Seedlings in the first ten years are characterized by slow growth. Therefore, during this period, if transplantation is required, it should be done with a lump of land. After which the tree is abundantly watered to provide a more reliable survival.
Due to its lush crown and sprawling root system, a tree requires a lot of free space. It is desirable that between the copies was a distance of at least six meters. Otherwise, this may be one of the reasons why the chestnut does not bloom.
A good soil for cultivation should contain a small amount of sand and be characterized by low acidity.
The horse chestnut tree, which blooms in early May and lasts about three weeks, requires feeding in the form of fertilizers during this period. Urea and mullein with added water are best suited for their role.
The reasons for the lack of inflorescences
As noted above, there is a chance that the tree will not bloom. Consider the reasons:
Lack of space. These trees cannot stand crowding critically. During planting, this should be taken into account and a circle in diameter of about 3 m should be distinguished. Otherwise, this will answer the question why the chestnut stopped blooming. The trees will begin to fight for a place in the sun, as a result of which a weak enemy will perish. And only after that the “winner” will be able to gain enough strength for normal growth.
Another problem, why the chestnut does not bloom, can be in the temperature regime. The usual horse chestnut variety is not too whimsical and can bloom even on relatively cool days. If we are talking about an edible tree, then it needs heat from 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. At the same time, chestnuts have one positive quality: only two or three warm days are enough to start flowering.
It is necessary to take into account the age of the tree. Ordinary varieties begin to produce flowers only when they reach the age of ten. Some species require a longer period.
Using
Due to the similarity in properties and appearance of chestnut wood with oak, it is widely used in the manufacture of plywood, parquet riveting and furniture. A separate industry is the production of barrels for brewing wines, cognacs and rum.
Bark, leaves and wood contain a special group of phenolic compounds, from which they produce a special substance for tanning the skin.
Chestnut flowers have been used in folk medicine.
For centuries, people have been using wood not only to create green spaces, but also as a fruitful plant.
Treatment and prevention
Leaves, bark, flowers, seeds and fruits - all this is used in folk medicine. Chestnut is great for treating joints and preventing thrombophlebitis.
The flower-based extract removes excess prothrombin from the body, strengthens and cleanses the walls of blood vessels, and has a beneficial effect on blood. A plant is also used to treat wounds and varicose veins.
Material collection begins when the chestnuts bloom, and lasts only a few days. On its basis, infusions and decoctions are created that can be used externally and internally. At the same time, several types of trees can be combined in the recipe to increase the healing properties of chestnut. For example, viburnum, witch hazel or cypress are added.
Remember that preparations based on this plant are contraindicated in pregnant and lactating, as well as young children. People with allergies should consult a doctor.
Fruit use
Not only chestnut flowers possess healing properties. The fruits of the tree have also found application in medicine. However, it is worth noting that they are collected far from industrial areas.
Like other parts of the tree, the fruits are used to treat and prevent diseases associated with the circulatory system. Strengthening blood vessels, lowering pressure - this is only a small part of what the infusion of nuts of this tree can help.
In addition, the fruits can be used in their original form, for example, by creating a necklace or bracelet, wearing them will help in the fight against migraines and reduce pain in the joints.
Medicine and nature
Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis - tincture of chestnut flowers will help in the fight against these diseases.
Cooking it is quite simple. It is necessary to stock up on flowers and alcohol. The medicine is mixed in a proportion of 100 g of chestnut per 1 liter of liquid (this can be good quality vodka). In a dry and dark place withstand tincture for two weeks. It is recommended to take medicine before meals, three times a day in an amount of 25 drops.
It is possible to get useful substances from wood in a natural way, thanks to bees. In May, they collect nectar from the flowers of this tree. The honey is dark brown and slightly tart.
It is quite difficult to purchase such a product, chestnut flowers last only three weeks, and there is little product. But everyone will appreciate the benefits of its use.
In appearance, the usual and familiar horse chestnut, the description, properties and application of which are described above, has a lot of positive qualities and has long been valued by adherents of a healthy lifestyle.