Evergreen conifers always attract attention, and all thanks to fluffy and fragrant branches, a beautiful and slender shape. As a rule, these are the inhabitants of the forests; they are poorly adapted to the gassed urban air. Therefore, in order to enjoy the beauty and aroma, it is best to plant a coniferous plant in the garden at the cottage or country house. Many landscape designers advise paying attention to a tree such as Nordman fir. Caring for it is quite simple, the most important thing is to choose the right place, compare the conditions that are most suitable for it, with the climate in your region. In addition, it does not require additional trimming or crown formation, having a beautiful shape by nature.
Nordman Fir: Description
The homeland of this evergreen tree is the mountains of the Caucasus and Asia Minor. It differs from the white variety by a higher decorative effect. The color of the bark is light gray, matte. The needles are dark green, saturated in color with a characteristic luster and a length of 15 to 40 mm, which creates a feeling of fluffiness. If you rub a few needles in your hands, you will immediately feel the astringent citrus aroma - a distinctive feature of Nordman fir. Compared to other relatives, this species grows very quickly. It can reach heights of up to 50 meters and a crown diameter of 7-8 m.
Nordman fir has very unusual cones, large ones up to 20 cm long, cylindrical in shape, plentifully coated with resin in a mature state. In addition, it is a long-liver, in nature it has been growing for 500-800 years, it easily tolerates frosts up to -25-30 degrees. Caucasian fir (Nordman) in Europe is popular as the "Christmas tree". Seeds, felled trees and potted plants that are already grown are actively sold in the markets, in stores, over the Internet. The last option is the most humane, you can dress up fir for New Year and Christmas, and in the spring plant it in the garden.
What place to choose on the site
Nordman fir is mainly a partial shade plant, although it can withstand both shade and bright sun. Due to its well-developed and powerful root system, it is resistant to winds. It is demanding on air purity, it does not tolerate the gas contamination of cities and industrial areas, this must be taken into account when choosing a place. Nordman's fir is unpretentious, but still does not like to be disturbed. Therefore, the location on the site immediately you need to choose a constant so that then there are no numerous transfers. In its natural habitat, the tree grows rapidly, but, for example, Nordman fir in the suburbs annually will give an increase of only 12-15 cm.
How to choose a plant
If you buy seedlings, it is best to do this in a store and choose those in individual containers. Young firs with a bare root system take root worse and there is a big risk that the plant will die, especially for specimens that are sold on the market. As an option, buy fir in a nursery when they dig it out before your eyes. Do not take too small seedlings, it is best to give preference to medium specimens at the age of 4-5 years. Be sure to carefully inspect the plant for damage by pests or fungal diseases.
The soil
Planting Nordman fir, like other conifers, is best in early spring - in April - or in autumn, in September. The depth and width of the pit depend on the size of the seedling and its root system, but not less than 70 cm in depth and width. Nordman fir is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but still prefers loamy and light soils in structure. You can prepare the land for planting yourself for better survival. To do this, mix clay, humus, sand and peat in a ratio of 2: 3: 1: 1. It is recommended to add mineral fertilizer. At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to pour drainage with a layer of 20 cm (brick crumb, coarse river sand, pebbles, sawdust). The distance between the trees in a group planting is preferably 3-5 meters, the plants will look good alone, and a dwarf form is allowed even on a flower bed.
Humidity and watering
Nordman fir does not like dry air, so you need to take into account specific climatic conditions when choosing this tree for your site. In too hot summers you can spray trees, but you need to do this after sunset or early in the morning. The tree prefers moist soil, but without stagnation of water, therefore, good drainage is needed when planting. Usually, adult fir has enough natural moisture in the ground, so additional artificial watering is required only in the case of very dry summers (2-3 times per season). Top dressing should begin with the second or third year of growth. In spring, granules of special fertilizers for coniferous plants are introduced into the mulched soil near the tree trunk, or Kemira Universal is used.
But the first instances of Nordman fir first need to be watered regularly, thereby maintaining the necessary soil moisture, so that the plant is better established. A roundabout circle near a tree must be weeded from weeds and preferably mulched with peat or sawdust.
Seed cultivation
This is the main method of reproduction. Some sources still talk about cuttings, but this is quite complicated and the percentage of success is very small. The appearance of the roots of the cuttings will have to wait at least six months.
Nordman fir seeds can be bought or collected from an adult tree, this must be done before the cones open. The best time for planting in the ground is autumn. Fresh seeds have a very high germination capacity. You can plant in the spring, but for this you need to stratify the seeds, and sow them at the end of March-April in shallow containers, to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. The temperature for seedlings requires 18-25 degrees, germination occurs on average after 3- 4 weeks.
Shading is necessary for young seedlings - this is an important condition for their successful growth. When plants reach 15-20 cm, they can be planted in a permanent place. In severe frosts, seedlings must be covered with spruce branches or with special material, since there is a threat of freezing to the level of snow cover.
Pests and diseases
Nordman fir is practically not affected by various kinds of diseases and pests, which is another big plus when growing it on the site. But with excessive moisture or choosing the wrong place where stagnation of water is observed, fungal diseases can appear, most often it is rust. At the first signs of damage, the tree should be treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
Of the pests, the most common are fir aphids and fir moths that infect shoots. In this case, there can be only one way out - treatment with a solution of special insecticides. It also does not hurt to do this for prevention in spring.
Varieties
If the garden area is small, then experts advise planting decorative forms - this is weeping, bluish, erect, golden Nordman fir (photo).
They all differ in the color of the needles, as well as the shape of the crown and size. Nordman's golden fir grows only 1 meter high in ten years. It has an unusual needles of golden yellow color. Widely used in the southern regions for rock gardens. Weeping fir resembles willow in shape, long shoots hang down, also differs in small sizes.
If the site requires a beautiful tree, shade-tolerant and fast-growing, then, undoubtedly, Nordman fir will be one of the best candidates. Reviews of landscape designers about her are extremely positive, because thanks to its even pyramidal shape and thick dark green shape, it has high decorative qualities with minimal care.