This is an evergreen coniferous tree, which is a species of the genus Pine. Its botanical name is Siberian cedar pine . To grow this evergreen conifer, seeds (pine nuts) are required. It is common in Western and Eastern Siberia, and it can also be found in the Urals.
Siberian cedar: description, photo
It has a rather dense and most often multi-peaked crown with massive branches. Siberian cedar is distinguished by a brown-gray trunk, which is covered with a fissured scaly bark (mainly in old trees). A feature of this evergreen coniferous tree is whorled branching. It has a very short growing season (40 - 45 days a year), so Siberian cedar is among the slow-growing and shade-tolerant species.
Shoots and needles of Siberian cedar
They are brown in color and covered with long reddish hairs. And the needles are They are brown in color and covered with long reddish hairs. And the needles have a dark green color with a bluish bloom. Its length is 6 - 14 cm. In the section, you can see that it is trihedral and slightly jagged. The needles are soft to the touch. It grows in bunches in which there are five needles.
Features of the root system of Siberian cedar
It is represented by one short rod root (up to 40 - 50 cm), from which smaller lateral ones grow, and root hairs with developing mycorrhiza at their tips already extend from them. If the kidney is light in mechanical composition and well drained quite well, then with the core root massive anchor roots will develop that penetrate to a depth of three meters. They, together with basal paws, are designed to ensure the stability of the crown and trunk of the tree.
Micro and megastrobiles of Siberian cedar
The evergreen conifer in question is a monoecious heterosexual plant (both female and male cones grow on the same tree). Siberian cedar, a photo of which was demonstrated earlier, is considered anemophilous plant (pollination proceeds through the wind).
Female cones (megastrobils) appear near the apical bud at the tips of growth shoots at a time when their growth has already stopped, and male (microstrobils) - near the base of the shoot.
The kidneys are conical in shape. They are 6-10 mm long, not resinous. Their scales are quite long and lanceolate (tapering up). The anther strobiles on the axis have microsporophiles, which are larger at the base than at the apex, and the female cones have hiding scales that are located in the sinuses and consist of two ovules.
Pharmacological properties of Siberian cedar oil
Firstly, it normalizes the blood lipid spectrum. Secondly, Siberian cedar oil reduces cholesterol. Thirdly, it helps to get rid of extra pounds. This positive physiological effect is justified by the presence of terpenes (unsaturated hydrocarbons) in the oil .
Siberian cedar: planting and cultivation
It is recommended to plant it in a permanent place at about the age of six, when it is already a two-meter seedling. If you take a younger instance, then here the tree, most likely, will take root very painfully, and a more mature one can die.
The best solution is to take Siberian cedar seedlings from a special nursery in which they were grown in compliance with all the requirements necessary for this. Preference is best given to young trees in containers where the root system is closed.
Buy Siberian cedar seedlings with an earthen lump, which must be moistened and must not have bare roots. In order to prevent them from drying out, it is necessary to transport the trees as soon as possible to the immediate place of constant planting.
Planting Siberian cedar is made taking into account the corresponding distance between the trees (8 m). The size of the holes should always exceed (by 1/3) the volume of the existing root system, and it is recommended to fill their bottom with a substrate (a mixture of ash, peat, base soil and humus). The substrate should not be made much more fertile than soil, since the root system of a young tree will not leave the borders of its hole for a very long time. This will lead to the fact that earthworms will attract moles, which can cause significant harm to the cedar root system.
If the seedlings are purchased in a container, then it is worth remembering that their root system is greatly twisted. In this regard, you cannot plant Siberian cedar with an earthen lump. In this case, it is required to properly straighten and position the roots in the hole as freely as possible.
Seedlings must be fixed at the bottom of the planting pits so that the root necks are on a par with the surface of the earth. Next, you need to fill up the wells with a prepared substrate in advance. Then, planting the Siberian cedar ends with the procedure of tamping the soil and thoroughly watering it (about 4 liters of water for each seedling).
Features of agricultural technology Siberian cedar
The specificity of its growing is expressed by the need to satisfy the need for a substance such as potassium, and by controlling the nitrogen content in the soil, an excess of which can significantly slow down the development of the tree’s root system.
Siberian cedar, the description of which was described in detail earlier, is able to fully realize its biological potential, but only if the crown is properly lit. Only young trees can tolerate the shadow without harm, since under natural conditions of growth in the taiga, mature cedars are constantly in the sun, and young trees are in their shadow. In this regard, all other trees that are with them on the same site should always be below mature cedars.
In the first few years after planting, it is recommended that the self-seeding of competing conifers be carefully eliminated.
Siberian cedar is characterized by an aerobic root system (for its development, constant access to oxygen is necessary), therefore, it is necessary to ensure significant aeration of its soil by mulching (covering the soil with a protective layer). To do this, leaf litter (leaf humus) is used, which helps to improve the mineral nutrition of the roots and protect them from such a type of basidiomycete fungi as the root sponge.
Abundant watering of Siberian cedars in the dry season is mandatory. Also, in the evenings, it is necessary to ensure constant spraying of the crowns of young trees to improve the gas exchange process.
What is the use of seeds of Siberian cedar
Often you can hear their unscientific name, especially in cooking - pine nuts. It is considered a very valuable food item. Pine nuts are commonly used both raw and after heat treatment.
Their benefits are in valuable composition. Pine nuts contain a significant amount of phosphatide phosphorus, which is not found in any other nut or seed of Pancake week crops.
They also act as a very rich source of lecithin (in content they are similar to soy).
What nutrients are included in pine nuts?
Seeds of Siberian cedar in a small amount (100 g) contain the daily requirement of the human body for such deficient trace elements as zinc, cobalt, manganese and copper, as well as a significant amount of iodine.
The following nutrients are present in pine nuts:
- starch (5.8%);
- dextrins (2.26%);
- glucose (2.83%);
- fiber (2.21%);
- sucrose (0.44%);
- fructose (0.25%);
- tocopherol (33%).
The protein is saturated with deficient and essential amino acids that limit its biological value, such as tryptophan, methionine and lysine.
And its core includes:
- fats (55 - 66%);
- proteins, starch, sugar and vitamins (13.5 - 20%).
What is cedar resin
Its official name is the resin of Siberian cedar. The phytoncides included in it in a significant amount are widely used in folk medicine. But official science did not stand aside in the process of studying its action. So, during the Great Patriotic War, all doctors used cedar gum as a fast healing agent. Even gangrene managed to stop with her help. Subsequently, the resin of Siberian cedar acquired the status of an effective drug.
It contains turpentine (30%) and rosin (70%). Zhivitsa Siberian cedar, the use of which is relevant even now, is a highly effective therapeutic agent, since turpentine, cedar oil, camphor, and turpentine balsam are obtained from it.
Diseases that are treated with the resin of the treated conifer
Healers use gum for treatment:
- skin lesions;
- teeth and the entire oral cavity;
- bronchi and lungs;
- some types of cancer;
- musculoskeletal system;
- of cardio-vascular system;
- endocrine system;
- nervous system;
- gastrointestinal tract.
Applications of Siberian cedar resin in folk medicine
Zhivitsa is indispensable in the treatment of:
- Various wounds. To do this, they are poured with resin of Siberian cedar or applied resin to the damaged area.
- Fractures. In this case, the area of damage is rubbed with resin, it contributes to the rapid fusion of bones.
- Boils, ulcers and burns. The resin is first softened, and then mixed with neutral oil or petroleum jelly. The resulting mixture is applied to a tampon and applied to a sore spot.
- Herpes (at its early stage). A cotton swab is moistened with a mixture of gum Siberian cedar and any vegetable oil in a ratio of 1: 1 and put it on a sore spot for 20 - 25 minutes. The procedure should be repeated after four hours.
- Toothache. In this case, exactly the resin of the Siberian cedar helps very quickly. Its use as an anesthetic is very popular at present. To do this, you only need to attach the resin to a diseased tooth or gum.
- Impotence. Cedar resin (1 teaspoon) is mixed with 0.5 liters of vodka. Then the resulting mixture should be infused for five days, be sure to in a dark, cool place. Shake the tincture periodically. After the required period has elapsed, it is used in three tablespoons exclusively with meals and preferably twice a day.
So, we can say that the resin of Siberian cedar, the use of which is very versatile, is effective as an anesthetic, antibacterial, and healing agent. Its healing properties are unique and diverse. It has found its application in both folk and scientific medicine. The list above is far from complete.
What other parts of Siberian cedar have healing properties
Not only the resin of this coniferous tree is widely used for medicinal purposes, but also its needles, oil and shells of fresh pine nuts.
So, they treat scurvy with needles, and with the infusion of fresh pine nuts shells - deafness, nervous disorders, kidney and liver diseases, hemorrhoids, as well as this decoction eliminates excess hairiness.
And pine nut oil is a complete source of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. For these purposes, its daily daily dose should be 20 ml. Oil helps to lower cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, normalize the lipid spectrum of the blood and reduce excess body weight.
If chopped pine nuts, then they can be used to inhibit gastric secretion (decrease gastric juice, reduce its acidity). Their small amount (100 g) can satisfy the daily requirement of the human body for the necessary vitamin E.
Confirmation of the preventive effect of cedar oil regarding cardiovascular pathology was also obtained, provided it was added to the diet of the corresponding patients.
Siberian cedar as a unique building material
This tree is unpretentious in processing and has excellent heat and waterproofing. In the construction aspect, Siberian cedar, a photo of which was demonstrated earlier, is similar to pine. It is a natural antiseptic, therefore, it does not tend to rot. Houses built from cedar are durable (hundreds of years), and the interior is enriched with volatile products. Its resin and essential oil have a beneficial effect on the health of the owner of the house.
Mechanical and physical properties of Siberian cedar
The conifer in question is a sound breed and has resin passages. As mentioned earlier, in strength and physical properties it is close to a pine tree. Siberian cedar has easy to process and soft wood. It has a pleasant smell and has resonant properties, which leads to its use as a material for the manufacture of guitars, harps and grand pianos.