Fir: description of species and varieties, cultivation features. Growing and caring for fir What kind of soil does fir like?

Fir is considered to have presentable green needles that do not change color throughout the season. It takes root quickly and does not require much attention. With fir, you don’t need to worry about planting and caring for any suburban area becomes more solid and individual.

You can purchase planting material both in specialized stores and in local nurseries. Before purchasing, you should find out about the varieties that do best in your region. The best option for beginners - purchasing low-growing or medium-growing winter-hardy fir. Beginning summer residents should not take risks buying rare decorative varieties With low level frost resistance. In this case, there is a high risk of losing the seedling in the first year.

When purchasing, pay attention to several signs:

• seedling at least 4 years old;
• the container is proportionate to the size of the plant - this is a guarantee that it grew in a pot and was not replanted before sale;
• the soil in the container is moist, without mold;
• the color of the needles is even, there are no brown spots on the branches and no white flakes at the base of the needles;
• absence of mechanical damage and dry branches;
• The shoots are elastic and bend when tilted.

If you don’t want to waste money in vain, then you will have to immediately abandon the idea of ​​​​buying an ephedra with an open root system. Such a plant rarely survives. Only possible variant– purchasing a seedling in the container in which it grew.

If you have a plot of more than 6 acres, landscape designers recommend planting 1 large and several dwarfs. Among the massive trees chosen are fir, spruce, berry yew, and pine. The tree is planted at the gate or in the center of a well-groomed lawn. From low-growing species, compositions are formed in the flowerbed, near the borders, near the playground.

Selection of varieties:

Blue Glauka, variegated Variegata and neatly creeping Prostrata take root successfully.

Time and place of landing

The dormant period is a good time to plant acquired conifers. In the central zone and southern regions of Russia, it is recommended to plant them at the end of September or at the beginning of October. In northern latitudes it is favorable spring planting fir in the country.

Conditions for successful acclimatization:

• soil of moderate humidity, not frozen;
• air temperature not lower than +5 °C, but not higher than +12 °C;
• spring recruits will need partial shade, autumn recruits will need shelter from wind and frost.

Variety Brillant

Fir of any variety quickly takes root in partial shade in a well-drained and fertile place. An open area and full sun are not suitable for her. For seedlings, shady areas are a prerequisite for successful growth. Mature plants will be able to form their typical crown only with sufficient sunlight, so shady areas are not for them. It should be taken into account that fir trees have a powerful root system that extends far into the depths.

On heavy clay soils, the roots form branches and grow superficially, oppressing their neighbors.

To prevent the roots from growing along the perimeter of the site, the planting hole is drained and enriched with fertile soil.

How to plant purchased fir: step-by-step description of the process

Coniferous plants are presentable, distinguished by their endurance and relative ease of care. To achieve this, you need to plant the purchased tree correctly. Before planting a fir, the place for it is prepared 2 weeks in advance. To do this, dig a planting hole twice the volume of the container in which the plant is located.

Distance between conifers:

• when growing medium-sized trees, maintain a distance of 2-3 m;
• the alley group needs more space, so leave 4 m between the seedlings.

Planting fir in several stages:

1. The pit is spilled generously with water (2 buckets). A drainage layer of broken brick or small crushed stone is placed at the bottom to prevent moisture from stagnating at the roots. The drainage height should be 8-10 cm.
2. Prepare a fertile soil mixture consisting of peat, sand, humus in a ratio of 1:1:3. Additionally add granular fertilizer for conifers or 200 g of nitrophoska. Fill the hole halfway with the substrate.
3. After 2 weeks, planting is carried out. The shrub is removed from the container, placed on a mound of soil, its roots are straightened and sprinkled with the remaining substrate. It is important not to destroy the earthen lump removed from the container, since mycorrhiza has already formed on the roots, which is favorable for the growth of the tree.
4. After planting, the soil is compacted and watered generously to avoid the formation of voids.
5. The tree trunk circle is mulched with pieces of bark, cones, and pine needles.
6. If the work is carried out in the fall, then you need to cover the tree with spruce branches before frost. In March, when the weather becomes sunnier, the crown is covered non-woven material to avoid the formation of burns.

IN further care for fir it comes down to watering, irrigating the crown at least once a week, seasonal pruning old and weakened branches. Fertilizing begins from the 3rd year of growth; fertilizers for conifers are applied 1-2 times per season.

Video about the formation of a young bush.

Organizing the transplantation of an adult fir is more difficult than planting a purchased shrub. In this case, you will have to remove a massive lump of earth without damaging the roots. A year before the planned work, the soil around the tree is bayoneted with a shovel at a distance of 1 m. Over the course of a set time, young roots will grow on the root system, allowing them to successfully gain a foothold in a new place in the future. Planted before or after the active growing season (early spring or September) on fertile soils. When transplanting into a pre-prepared hole, add soil from the previous place of growth.

Common Pests and Diseases

Fir is a hardy plant, with proper care there are no problems with it. To prevent the death of a young conifer, a novice gardener should take into account several recommendations:

1. The tree trunk circle is not loosened; mulching is enough. When loosening the roots, small shoots (capillaries) come off. As a result, the amount of nutrition decreases, and the fir dries out within 1-2 years.
2. Fresh manure and bird droppings should not be used as fertilizers. Some of the roots are burned from such organic matter.

The causes of diseases are insufficient feeding and poor moisture, mechanical damage to the bark and sudden changes in temperature. Rust is a common disease of coniferous trees. As a result of infection, the needles turn brown and the crown thins out. New growths of a rusty color form on the branches. Affected shoots and fallen needles are burned, the sections are covered with resin or varnish, and the fir itself is treated with a solution of copper sulfate.

At improper care fir trees suffer from Hermes (yellow aphid). As a result of the damage, the needles turn yellow and fall off. The drugs Rogora and Antio help prevent pest invasions. The trunks are treated with a solution of insecticides in a ratio of 20 g per 10 liters of water in early spring (late March - early April).

In rare cases, the Siberian silkworm may visit the conifer. It eats needles, young cones and bark, leading to drying out. Caterpillars on branches emerge from laid eggs before buds open; they eat needles for a couple of months, then pupate. In August, butterflies begin to appear to lay new eggs. Treating the crown with any insecticide and biological product helps get rid of the pest. Usually the drug Bi-58 or Clipper is used.

When growing conifers, you need to remember about irrigating the crown during the hot season and preventive treatment with the necessary preparations. Then pests will rarely appear on the site, and caring for the plants will become much easier.

Plant fir (lat. Abies) represents a genus of the Pine family. The Russian name of the plant comes from the German word Fichte, which means “spruce”. Spruce-fir is widespread in subtropical, temperate and even tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. Most often, fir lives in coniferous forests, in proximity to trees such as cedar, spruce and pine, but it is also found in mixed and even deciduous forests. The genus has about 50 varieties - from shrubs 50 cm high to trees 80 m high. Currently, decorative fir is incredibly in demand in landscaping both personal plots and public parks and squares. She is beautiful and unpretentious. Disadvantages include low frost resistance, as well as fir intolerance to smoke, gas and too dry air.

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Planting and caring for fir (in brief)

• Landing: planting four-year-old seedlings in the ground - at the end of August or at the beginning of September, but it is also possible in April.
• Bloom: grown as an ornamental foliage plant.
• Lighting: shade or partial shade, preferably near a pond.
• The soil: moist, well-drained, rich, preferably loamy.
• Mulching: in spring, a layer of peat, wood chips or sawdust 5-6 cm thick.
• Watering: moisture-loving species are watered 2-3 times per season during the dry period, spending 15-20 liters of water on each plant. Other types of fir do not require artificial watering.
• Feeding: mineral complexes, in the spring, from the third or fourth year after planting in the ground.
• Trimming: mainly for sanitary purposes in early spring, before sap flow begins.
• Reproduction: species firs can be propagated by seeds, but cultivars can only be propagated by cuttings, since the seed method does not preserve the varietal characteristics of the parent plant.
• Pests: spruce-fir hermes (a type of aphid), spider mites, click beetles, fir longhorned beetles, beetles.
• Diseases: rust, root rot.

Read more about growing fir below.

Fir tree - description

Fir is a monoecious plant, evergreen, heat-loving and shade-tolerant. Its root system is powerful, pivotal, and goes deep into the ground. Fir bark in young years is thin and smooth, but with age it becomes thick and cracked. The crown is cone-shaped, starting right at the base of the trunk - this is what distinguishes fir from other coniferous trees. Fir branches are arranged ring-shaped and horizontal, fir leaves are flat, entire-edged soft needles, narrowed at the base into a short petiole. Fir needles do not acquire a dirty red hue in winter, as happens with many other conifers; each fir needle is decorated with two white stripes on the bottom. On reproductive branches the needles are pointed, on vegetative shoots they have a slightly notched or rounded tip. Male flowers look like earrings of cones, and female flowers are ovoid, cylindrical or ovoid-cylindrical, with cones sticking up (another difference between fir and other conifers, whose cones usually hang). Female fir cones consist of a rod on which cover scales sit, inside which there are fruit scales bearing two ovules. Fir trees are pollinated by the wind. When fir seeds ripen, the scales on the cones become woody and fall off, releasing the winged seeds and leaving only the stems on the tree. In cultivation in one place, fir can live up to three hundred years.

Fir planting

When to plant fir

To plant in the ground, you will need fir seedlings at least four years old. They need to be planted in April, or even better in late August or early September, and it is advisable to choose a rainy or cloudy day for planting. A place for fir is chosen in the shade or partial shade in areas with moist, rich, well-drained soil, ideally it should be loam. It’s great if there is a body of water not far from the place where the fir will grow.

How to plant a fir

Two weeks before planting the fir, dig a hole approximately 60x60x60 in size, although the dimensions of the hole depend on the volume of the root system of the seedling. Pour 2-3 buckets of water into the hole, and when it is absorbed, dig up the bottom with half a shovel and place a layer of crushed stone or broken brick 5-6 cm thick in the hole. Then fill the hole halfway with thoroughly mixed soil of the following composition: 3 parts humus, 2 parts of clay, 1 part of peat and sand, 10 kg of sawdust and 200-300 g of nitrophoska. After two weeks, when the soil in the hole has settled, lower the roots of the seedling into it so that the root collar is flush with the surface of the site - it is most convenient to install the seedling on a mound of soil mixture. Straighten the roots of the seedling, fill the hole to the top with nutritious soil of the composition described above and compact it thoroughly. After planting, water the fir. If you decide to grow a fir alley, place the seedlings at a distance of 4-5 m from each other. Group planting of fir trees requires a distance between seedlings of 3-3.5 m for loose groups and 2.5 m for dense groups.

Fir care in the garden

How to grow fir

When caring for seedlings, loosen the soil to a depth of 10-12 cm after watering and remove weeds. It is advisable to mulch the trunk circle of young plants with a diameter of 50 cm with wood chips, sawdust or peat, a layer of mulch - 5-8 cm, just make sure that the mulch does not lie close to the root collar of the fir. It will be necessary to feed the fir after planting only after 2-3 years, adding 100-125 g of Kemira-universal to the tree trunk in the spring. You will only need to water the fir if you are growing a moisture-loving species, for example, balsam fir, which requires watering 2-3 times a season during dry times. The amount of water per watering is 15-20 liters. Other species do not need artificial watering - firs do not like waterlogging; natural precipitation is enough for them.

As for pruning, in the spring, before the sap begins to flow, dry and damaged branches are removed, and the fir crown is formed, if necessary. Pruning is done with garden shears. During one haircut, shoots are shortened by no more than a third of their length. In general, fir has a natural, neat crown that does not require shaping.

Fir transplantation

Compared to other plants, coniferous trees adapt quite easily after transplantation. If you decide to transplant a young plant, use a sharp shovel to pierce the soil in a circle at a distance of 30-40 cm from the trunk, then use a shovel to pry this marked circle at the depth of the bayonet, take it out along with the roots and a lump of earth, transport it in a wheelbarrow to a new hole and carefully move into her. An older tree needs to be prepared for replanting: the soil should be pierced in a circle a year before replanting, and the diameter of the circle in this case should be larger. Over the course of a year, the fir will grow new young roots inside the designated circle and, thanks to this, will more easily withstand the test of replanting. It will be difficult for one person to just remove the fir from the ground, transport it and plant it in a new place, so look for an assistant. The main thing in this process is to prevent the earthen lump from falling apart.

Pests and diseases of fir

As you can see, planting and caring for fir is simple, and the plant will not require any special skills or effort from you. Fir is quite resistant against such troubles as diseases and pests, however, there are cases when fir loses its decorative effect due to spruce-fir Hermes - a type of aphid, from whose vital activity the fir turns yellow. To combat Hermes, use the preparations Rogor or Antio: in early spring, when overwintered female aphids wake up, treat the fir with a solution of one of these preparations at the rate of 20 g per 10 liters of water. These insecticides will also save your tree from other harmful insects - fir shoot moth and fir pinecone leaf roller.

Sometimes the needles of a beautiful fir begin to turn yellow, and rusty cushions form on the shoots, and the reason for this is the fungal disease rust. The affected branches are cut off and burned along with fallen pine needles, the sections are treated with garden varnish, and the crown is sprayed with a two percent solution of Bordeaux mixture. And carefully inspect the area: plants such as chickweed or chickweed should not be there where conifers grow.

Fir propagation

How to propagate fir

Species fir is propagated by seeds, which are harvested at the very beginning of the ripening of cones, and decorative varieties are taken from cuttings.

Fir propagation by cuttings

Cuttings for rooting 5-8 cm long should be taken only from young trees, and these should be annual shoots with one (not two - this is important) apical bud and always with a heel. If you want to get a cutting with a heel, then it is better not to cut it, but to tear it off with a sharp movement along with fragments of the bark and wood of a more mature shoot. Cuttings should be harvested in the spring, before sap flow begins, on a cloudy morning from the middle part of the crown on its northern side. Before planting, carefully remove burrs from the heel. Make sure that the bark on the heel does not peel off from the wood. To avoid the further development of fungal diseases, the cuttings are kept for 6 hours in a two percent solution of foundationol, captan, or a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate. Then the cuttings are planted in a mixture of sand, humus and leaf soil in equal parts and covered with a transparent cap. In order for the cuttings to take root faster, it is advisable to arrange the bottom heating of the substrate 2-3ºC higher room temperature. The cuttings should be kept in a bright, but not sunny place, with daily ventilation. For the winter, the container with cuttings can be moved to the basement, and in the spring it can be taken out into the fresh air. It will take a long time for the cuttings to take root - the fir will first grow callus, and only in the second year will roots appear.

Growing fir from seeds

Collecting fir seeds is not easy, since the cones of mature trees ripen high, and as soon as they ripen, the winged seeds from them immediately scatter. But if you are lucky enough to get a slightly unripe cone, dry it, remove the seeds and store them in the refrigerator or in the basement with high humidity until sowing - fir seeds need stratification before planting. In April, the seeds are sown in a bed to a depth of 2 cm in soil made of sand and turf and covered with film without watering to avoid the formation of a crust on the surface of the soil and to speed up the emergence of seedlings. When the sprouts sprout after 3-4 weeks, start watering, loosening and weeding the beds. In the first winter, the seedlings are covered with spruce branches. Next year you can plant the seedling on permanent place. Fir from seeds initially grows very slowly: in four years it reaches a height of 30-40 cm, since it mainly develops the root system. But then growth accelerates noticeably.

Fir in winter

Fir in autumn

The firs recommended for planting in the middle zone tolerate our winters well, but young plants must be covered with spruce branches and the trunk circle mulched with peat or dry leaves with a layer of 10-12 cm.

Wintering fir in the country

Adult plants overwinter without shelter, but at the end of winter you need to cover the fir trees with non-woven material to protect them from the spring sun - they can be seriously damaged by its rays, which are too bright at this time.

Types and varieties of fir

Among the large number of species and varieties of fir, there are plants that are more and less in demand in culture. We offer you an introduction to the most popular of them.

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

grows in nature in Canada and the USA, its habitat in the north is limited to the tundra, and in mountainous areas it can be found at altitudes from 1500 to 2000 m. It is a shade-tolerant, frost-resistant fir, which, unfortunately, is not distinguished by longevity - it lives no more than 200 years. Balsam fir is a tree with a height of 15 to 25 m with a trunk thickness of 50-70 cm. The bark on young trees is smooth, ash-gray in color; on older trees, the bark is reddish-brown, fissured. The buds are resinous, greenish with a pale lilac tint, ovoid or spherical. The needles, 15 to 30 mm long, shiny, dark green with stomatal lines along the entire leaf, blunt or slightly notched at the top, do not fall off for 4-7 years; when rubbed, they emit a pleasant smell. The cones are oval-cylindrical, 5-10 cm in height, 2-2.5 cm in width, unripe have a dark purple hue, when ripe they become brown, very resinous. This species has been in culture since 1697. Balsam fir is used in single and small group plantings. Known forms:

• Hudsonia– dwarf mountain fir with a wide crown, very dense branches and short numerous shoots. The needles are also short, wide and flat, black-green on the upper side and greenish-blue on the lower side. In culture since 1810;
• Nana– the height of the fir is no more than 50 cm, the crown is rounded, up to 2.5 m in diameter, the branches are spreading, horizontal, dense, the needles are short, thick, very dark green, yellow-green on the underside with two white-blue stripes. In culture since 1850. Used for landscaping terraces, roofs, rocky gardens.

Other forms of balsam fir grown in cultivation include gray, silver, variegated, columnar, prostrate and dwarf.

Korean fir (Abies koreana)

grows in the mountains of the south of the Korean Peninsula at an altitude of 1800 m, forming pure and mixed forests. At a young age it grows very slowly, but with age it accelerates. The height of the Korean fir is about 15 m, the trunk is from 50 to 80 cm in diameter, the crown is cone-shaped, the bark of young trees is smooth, ashen, sometimes with a purple tint, while that of old trees is chestnut with deep cracks. The buds are slightly resinous, almost round, the needles are thick, hard, the needles are saber-shaped, with a notch at the top, dark green on the upper side, silvery on the lower side due to two wide stomatal stripes. The cones are cylindrical, 5-7 cm long, up to 3 cm in diameter, purple-lilac when young. Fir was brought to Europe in 1905. In decorative terms, this beautiful and winter-hardy species with two-color needles has no equal. It was the planting of Korean fir that was described in this article, just as the care of Korean fir was the basis for the subsection on caring for plants of the fir genus. Varieties of Korean fir:

• Blue Standard– very similar in characteristics to the original species, only its cones are dark purple;
• Brevifolia- a slowly growing cultivar with a rounded dense crown, but with looser needles than the original species, swamp-green above and whitish-gray below. The cones are purple, small;
• Piccolo– height is only 30 cm, the crown is spreading, horizontal, with a diameter of up to one and a half meters in an adult plant. Needles, like the original species.

Caucasian fir, or Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana)

is a Caucasian endemic, as it grows naturally only in the Caucasus Mountains. This is a tree up to 60 m high and a trunk up to 2 m thick, with a dense, branched, low-slung crown of a narrow conical shape with a sharp apex, which is not so pronounced in adulthood. The bark is smooth and shiny, but from the age of eighty deep cracks begin to appear on it. The buds are ovoid, almost without resin. The needles are up to 40 mm long, up to 2.5 mm wide, dark green on the upper side, with two white stripes on the lower side, on vegetative shoots the tips are notched, on cone-bearing shoots they are softly pointed. The cones, up to 20 cm long and up to 5 cm in diameter, are green when young and dark brown, resinous when mature. This fast-growing species lives up to 500 years. The following forms of Caucasian fir are known: erect, weeping, golden, golden-tipped, white-tipped and gray.

Single color fir (Abies concolor)

- the queen among fir trees native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, where it can be found in river canyons and on mountain slopes at an altitude of 2000 to 3000 m above sea level. This is one of the most drought-resistant species, with a lifespan of three and a half centuries. The height of single-color fir is from 40 to 60 m, the thickness of the trunk is up to 2 m, the crown is cone-shaped, quite dense in youth, and becomes much thinner in old age. The old bark is ash-gray, rough, and full of cracks. Spherical, resinous yellow-green buds reach a diameter of 5 cm. Bluish-green needles up to 7 cm long, up to 3 mm wide, with a notched rounded tip, have stomatal lines on both the upper and lower sides. The cones are oval-cylindrical, up to 14 cm long and up to 5 cm wide, purple or green when immature, light brown when mature. In culture since 1831. Fir looks most impressive in autumn against the background of yellowing larches. The most famous decorative forms:

• Compacta fir– a shrub cultivar of dwarf size with outstretched branches and blue needles. It is sometimes called Compacta Glauca;
• Violacea– a fast-growing tree up to 8 m high with a wide cone-shaped crown and long blue-white needles. It is highly decorative and drought-resistant.

Siberian fir (Abies sibirica)

grows in the northeast Russian Federation across the highlands and river valleys. This shade-tolerant, winter-hardy species is protected by the state. Siberian fir is the most famous representative of the genus. This is a tree up to 30 m high with a narrow cone-shaped crown. The gray bark, smooth along almost the entire length of the trunk, cracks in the lower part. The needles are narrow, soft, shiny, up to 3 cm long, dark green on top and with two white stripes on the bottom. The cones are erect, light brown when ripe. Varieties: blue, white, variegated, elegant and others.

In addition to those described by us, in the culture there are subalpine, Fraser, whole-leaved, equal-scaled, Semenova, Sakhalin, myra, graceful, cephalin or Greek, tall, Vicha, white-barked or bud-scaled, white or European and Arizona.

Properties of fir

Fir is a special plant even among conifers. Its wood does not contain resinous substances, so it is used to make musical instruments and build ships. Fir bark is a raw material for valuable balsam, and needles and branches are used for fir oil. A decoction is prepared from the needles and bark, which reduces the acidity of the stomach, increases efficiency and immunity, and relieves toothache.

Fir resin is a good antiseptic used in folk medicine to lubricate wounds, cuts, abrasions and ulcers. Early settlers to America and its indigenous inhabitants widely used fir resin, which has a pleasant taste, in medicinal purposes: it was used to treat bronchitis, cough, sore throat and even tuberculosis, as well as cancer, dysentery, otitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes, some urogenital diseases (for example, gonorrhea and vaginal infections), scurvy, rheumatism, muscle and joint pain.

Medicines containing an extract based on fir cell sap are used in the treatment of rheumatism, inflammatory processes, infectious diseases, chronic and acute heart failure. Consumption of fir cell sap:

• stimulates hematopoiesis;
• strengthens the immune system, restores the body's protective function;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect in the treatment of pulmonary diseases;
• serves as a prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases;
• prevents the development of hypertension;
• improves the functioning of the excretory organs;
• normalizes the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
• replenishes the lack of vitamins, micro- and macroelements in the body;
• protects against the effects of radiation;
• relieves stress, has an antioxidant effect and increases the body's resistance to adverse environmental factors.

Fir juice comes on sale in the form of phyto-cocktails, which are ready for use, and in its natural form - this liquid can only be consumed internally in a diluted form.

Fir essential oil helps even in cases in which various chemotherapy drugs are powerless, for example, it slows down and even stops the growth of cancer cells. The oil enters the blood immediately and is collected at the site of the disease, bypassing the digestive organs, and therefore without decomposing. Its combat component is camphor. Fir oil - universal remedy in medicine, having bactericidal, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, restorative, calming and tonic effects. It is widely used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology to treat acne, lichen, furunculosis, relieve swelling, smooth out wrinkles, eliminate sagging skin, warts and other skin problems.

The use of fir and medicines made from it requires compliance with certain rules: during treatment you must stop using alcoholic drinks, even weak ones, since alcohol neutralizes the effect of drugs. Stop taking fir medications if you find that your body is intolerant to them. Patients with epilepsy, gastritis or gastric ulcers and those with kidney pathology should not be treated with fir. This is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children. Improper use of drugs or violation of dosage can cause an allergic reaction. If you experience itching, swelling and red spots on the skin, it is better to stop taking the drug. If you don’t know how the body will react to fir, do a test: drop 10-15 drops of oil or juice on the back of your hand or leg and rub thoroughly into the skin. If the allergy does not appear within the next two to three days, you can take the drug, but be sure to consult your doctor about the dosage.

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Powerful and durable trees with a narrow pyramidal and low crown, rounded at the top in old trees. The bark of many species is smooth gray, with protruding nodules that store resin. In some fir trees, with age, the bark thickens and cracks into pieces of bark. The skeletal branches are arranged more or less whorled, directed obliquely upward or spread horizontally.

The needles of vegetative shoots are flat, usually with a rounded or notched top, with two light stomatal stripes below, while generative shoots are tetrahedral, with stripes on all edges. As can be seen in the photo, the fir needles are narrowed at the base, and then expanded into a rounded heel, which leaves a mark on the shoot after falling. It can be located comb-like, cover the upper part of the shoot with a flooring, or stick up.

Male cones are single, located in the axils of the needles on the upper side of last year's shoots. Female cones are vertical, with numerous seed and covering scales. The seed scales are broadly rounded at the top, narrowing towards the base into a stalk. Covering scales with pointed tips are especially noticeable on young cones during the dusting period. When the seeds ripen, the cone disintegrates, leaving a protruding rod on the branch. The seeds ripen in the first year, angular, with a large wing.

One of the main characteristics of fir is the absence of resin ducts in the wood. Unlike other conifers, the resin ducts of fir are concentrated in the bark, and resin nodules are formed in the places where they are intertwined.

The healing properties of fir have been known since ancient times. Medications made from all parts of these plants: bark, needles, buds, leaves. Fir resin is also widely used in medicine. Fir is a source essential oil With high content active ingredients and tannins.

Our photo gallery contains photos of the main types of fir. In total, there are about 50 of them, including hybrids, common in the mountain and taiga forests of the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere; one species is found in Mexico and Guatemala.

All types of fir are divided into ten sections:

Amabilis

Balsamea

Bracteata

Piceaster

Pseudopicea.

Most types of fir are characterized by low frost resistance, and some are not frost-resistant at all, for example, Guatemalan fir. Mostly fir trees, common in the taiga zone of the Northern Hemisphere, are frost-resistant. In addition, fir trees are demanding on soil fertility and moisture conditions in habitats.

Planting and growing fir

Agricultural technology. Among the firs there are many lovers of mild climates, only a few can withstand the conditions middle zone. When growing fir, you should remember that these trees grow well in the sun, but are quite shade-tolerant and require shade at a young age. They like fertile, deeply cultivated soils, as a rule (except for single-colored fir), do not approve of too dry air, and watering is advisable during drought. Sensitive to industrial air pollution.

For planting fir, it is preferable to choose cloudy, warm days, and it is best to plant these plants during rain. It is best to replant fir in spring (April) or autumn (from late August to early October)

Application. Very beautiful, neat and slender trees, suitable for parks, alleys and group compositions. Numerous varieties of different formats expand the possibilities of use in flower beds, rock gardens, rockeries, etc.

Balsam fir - Abies balsamea

In nature, the height is 15-25 m. In culture, by the age of 20 it reaches 7 m (Moscow). The bark is grayish, smooth when young, brown and flaky on old (more than 100 years old) trees. The branches are ash-gray, briefly pubescent. Buds are greenish with purple tint, highly resinous. The needles are 15-25 (35) mm long and 1.5 mm wide, rounded or slightly bipartite at the top, dark green above, with narrow whitish stripes below, combed and protruding, on weak branches simply combed, extends from the branch under an almost straight line corner, fragrant when rubbed. Balsam fir cones are purple before ripening, 10 cm long, 2-2.5 cm in diameter. The covering scales are approximately 1/2 the length of the seed scales, almost round, serrated on top, with a short point and a narrow stalk. Found in the eastern part North America from Labrador to Virginia and Iowa, forms forests. Cultivated since 1697

Recognizable by its rather short, protruding needles, in which a more or less clear “parting” can be seen. Very winter hardy.

Varieties of balsam fir

About 20 varieties of balsam fir are known. Both the wild form and some of them are found on sale.

Fir variety ‘Nana’(‘Globosa’) (until 1866). Very popular dwarf variety with a dense crown of a rounded-flattened shape. At 10 years, height is 0.5 m, width is 1 m. The branches are short, randomly spread. The needles are shorter than those of the wild form, 4-10 mm long, emerald green, deflected downwards, located radially on young shoots, comb-like on old shoots, with a clear parting.

Fir variety ‘Piccolo’(1987, Germany). Less large variety than Nana, but similar in shape. The needles are bluish-green, often located radially, deflected downwards.

Fir variety ‘Kiwi’. A very dense dwarf variety with a round shape. The needles are bluish-green, located radially.

White fir, or European fir - Abies alba

In nature it grows up to 30-60 m in height. In cultivation it grows slowly, at 10 years old - about 2 m (Moscow), at 30 years old - 5 m (St. Petersburg).

The branches are horizontally spread, the lower ones die off early. The bark is smooth, grayish, cracking in old age. The branches are gray, with short and hard brown pubescence, often with blackish warts. White (European) fir buds without resin. The needles are 15-30 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, rounded or bipartite at the top, dark green above, shiny, with two white stripes below. Arranged comb-like.

The cones are 10-17 cm long, 3-5 cm in diameter, greenish before ripening. Seed scales are 25-30 mm wide, wedge-shaped, rounded, with a rather long (up to 9 mm) stalk, felt-like on the outside. The covering scales are longer than the seed scales, protrude and bend back. Found in the mountains of Central and Southern Europe, it forms pure and mixed stands with various deciduous trees, mainly with beech. The wild form is quite rare on sale.

Freezes in harsh winters and is restored.

About 6 varieties are registered. The most common of them is ‘Pyramidalis’ (‘Pyramidalis Compacta’) (1850, England). It is a slow-growing, dense and narrow pyramidal form with short raised branches, reaching 3 m in height by 10 years. Maximum height 10 m. The needles are dark green, 1-2 cm long, radial.

Tall or noble fir - Abies procera (A. nobilis)

IN good conditions is a tall tree with reddish-brown bark. In cultivation, noble fir grows as a bush, reaching 1.2 m in height (St. Petersburg). Branches with small rusty pubescence. The buds are resinous. The needles on old shoots are comb-shaped, on young shoots they stick out upward, on the upper side of the shoot they are shorter than on the side, 25-35 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, rounded at the end, bluish-green, with narrow pale stripes on the lower side. There is a form (var. glauca, can be offered as the variety ‘Glauca’) with completely blue needles. The cones are large, cylindrical. Found on the west coast of the USA. In cultivation since 1831. Hardy in the middle zone.

Noble fir varieties with photos

There are more than 10 varieties, mostly produced from the glaucous form. Dwarf and prostrate forms that can winter under snow are recommended.

Noble fir variety ‘Blaue Hexe’(1965, Germany). Dwarf variety with a wide cushion-shaped crown. The shoots are short. The needles are short, wide, bluish-green. Witch's broom.

Noble fir variety ‘Bizarro’. Dwarf wide-pyramidal shape, very dense. The needles are bluish-green. By the age of 10 it reaches 1 m in height.

Noble fir variety ‘Glauca Prostrata’(‘Compacta’, ‘Procumbens’) (1928, England). Cultivation. Slow growing, prostrate variety with irregular branching. Height 1 m, width -1.5 m. The needles are very blue. Obtained by grafting a side branch of the ‘Glauca’ variety. To maintain shape, you need to periodically pluck out the leading vertical shoots.

Vicha fir - Abies veitchii

In nature it grows to a height of 30-40 m (in 10 years up to 15 m). In cultivation at 40 years, more than 12 m tall (Moscow). It grows slowly and freezes slightly. The bark is smooth grayish. The branches are gray, brown, densely pubescent. Vicha fir has purple, highly resinous buds. The needles are dense, almost comb-like on old branches, protruding obliquely forward on young ones, 10-25 mm long and about 2 mm wide, notched at the apex, shiny dark green above, with bright white stomatal stripes below. The cones are cylindrical, 4.5-6.5 cm long, bluish-purple until ripe. The covering scales slightly protrude and are bent.

Native to the mountains of central Japan. Introduced in 1861

It is close to Korean fir, from which it differs in longer needles. The same beautiful tree with bicolor needles, the contrasting color of which is noticeable from a distance.

Vicha fir varieties

6 varieties are registered, but they are rarely listed on sale.

Wicha fir variety ‘Heddergott’(‘Hexenbessen Heddergott’) (1986, Germany). Dwarf shrub with a vase-shaped crown. Annual growth is 3-5 cm. The needles are bright green with a silver lining.

Wicha fir variety ‘Pendula’(‘Jeddeloh Weeping’) (1970, Germany). Graceful form with drooping branches, the central leader can also bend. Height at 10 years is about 2.5 m.

Wicha fir variety ‘Rumburk’(c. 2001, USA). Dwarf, dense, cushion-shaped. Annual growth is 2.5-5 cm per year.

Korean fir - Abies koreana

Korean fir is one of the most beautiful and winter-hardy firs, widespread in culture. It is characterized by a neat arrangement of short, rounded needles, which makes the shoots look like dish brushes.

A relatively short tree, reaching 18 m in nature. In cultivation it grows approximately 3 m in 20 years. The bark is smooth, gray, reddish-brown in age, cracking. The branches are yellowish with sparse pubescence, later becoming bare. Korean fir buds are almost without resin. The needles are hard, thick, protruding, evenly covering the upper part of the shoot, 1020 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, slightly wider at the top, with a rounded or pointed (in young plants) tip, dark green and shiny above, pale wide below stomatal stripes. Cones are 4-7 cm long, 2.5 cm in diameter, violet-purple until ripe. The ends of the covering scales slightly protrude and bend back. Homeland - Korea, where it grows in mountain forests. In culture since 1908

One of the most beautiful and at the same time winter-hardy fir trees, widespread in cultivation. It is characterized by a neat arrangement of short, rounded needles, which makes the shoots look like “brush brushes” for dishes.

Varieties of Korean fir in the photo

From us you can purchase both the wild form and many varieties of Korean fir, of which at least 70 are registered in total. Among them there are a lot of hard-to-distinguish dwarf compact “pillows” that can be grafted onto a standard.

Korean fir variety ‘Aurea’(1956, Canada). Lower (up to 3 m) and slower growing than the wild form. The needles are yellow, especially bright in autumn. ‘Luminetta’ may also be offered under this name.

Korean fir variety ‘Blauer Eskimo’(1990, Germany). Witch’s broom variety ‘Blaue Pfiff’, even denser, irregularly cushion-shaped or hemispherical in shape. The annual growth is about 2 cm. The needles are bluish-gray.

Korean fir variety ‘Blauer Pfiff’(‘Blue Hit’) (Germany). A small tree with irregular branching and no clear central leader. The crown can be wide-conical or oval. The needles are bluish. This variety of Korean fir was obtained by induced mutation (irradiation of seeds).

Korean fir variety ‘Blue Emperor’(2002, England). A dense compact variety with a wide crown, grows vertically, but does not have a pronounced central leader. The needles are intense blue. The cones are purple.

Korean fir variety ‘Blue Magic’(1990, Germany). A very beautiful dwarf pyramidal variety with blue needles and abundant lilac cones. Improved 'Blauer Pfiff'.

Korean fir variety ‘Brillant’. Dwarf, low and dense, with an even crown, growing in width. The needles are bright green. By the age of 10 it reaches 20 cm in height.

Korean fir variety ‘Cis’(1989, Holland). Miniature, very dense, in the shape of a wide hummock. The needles are dark green and small. Growth is 1-2 cm per year.

Korean fir variety ‘Compact Dwarf’('Compacta'). As the name suggests, a smaller copy of the wild form, wider and denser, symmetrical. The needles are bluish-green. Rarely brings cones. Growth is 5-8 cm per year. By the age of 10, it does not reach even 1 m in height.

Korean fir variety ‘Dark Hill’(until 1990, Germany). The crown is compact, flattened and rounded. At 15 years old it reaches 0.7 m in height and 1.2 m in width. The needles are very dark.

Korean fir variety ‘Doni Tajusho’(circa 2001). Miniature variety in the form of a ball, bright green. The needles are very small.

Korean fir variety ‘Green Carpet’(1990, Holland). Semi-dwarf low variety without a central leader with widely spread branches. The needles are pure green. Annual growth is 10 cm. By the age of 10 it reaches 1 m in height with a width of at least 2 m.

Korean fir variety ‘Inga’. Dwarf. A wide compact pyramid with bluish, even needles.

Korean fir variety ‘Ice Breaker’(circa 2004). Witch's broom from the 'Silberlocke' variety. A miniature variety with inverted needles, so that only their lower, silvery side is visible. Annual growth is about 3 cm. Effective on a trunk.

Korean fir variety ‘Kula’. A dwarf, slow-growing variety in the form of a wide, dense pyramid. By the age of 10 it reaches 50 cm in height. The needles are pure green, very short.

Korean fir variety ‘Luminetta’(‘Lutea’) (Holland). The needles, especially on young shoots, are yellowish and turn green in the fall. Grows slower than the wild form.

Korean fir variety ‘Molly’. Compact, slow growing variety with dark green needles. The branches are raised, the central leader is clearly defined.

Korean fir variety ‘Oberon’. A miniature variety with a round, later somewhat conical crown. The needles are dark green, very even, short, arranged spirally. At the age of 10 years, height is 30 (40) cm.

Korean fir variety ‘Pancake’. Dwarf, pillow-shaped. The branches are short and protruding. The needles are bluish.

Korean fir variety ‘Piccolo’(until 1979, Holland). A variety with an unexpressed, lodging central leader. The branches are outstretched and drooping. It mainly grows in width and can reach 1.5 m at the age of 10 years at a height of 30 cm. The needles are sparse, bluish, tucked.

Korean fir variety ‘Pinocchio’(1981, USA). A miniature witch's broom with bright green, very dense and small needles. Annual growth is up to 5 cm. It is usually grafted onto a standard and has a round shape.

Korean fir variety ‘Silver Star’. Variation on the theme of the more famous 'Silberlocke'. Perhaps it has sparse and splayed branches.

Korean fir variety ‘Silberkugel’(‘Silver Globe’, ‘Pompon’, ‘Hexenbesen Wustermeyen’) (until 1986, Germany). Dwarf, very dense, with a rounded crown formed by horizontally spread branches and somewhat twisted around the trunk. Growth is about 1 cm per year. The needles are up to 1 cm long, yellowish or light green on top, slightly inverted, like those of ‘Silberlocke’.

Korean fir variety ‘Silberlocke’(‘Horstmann’s Silberlocke’, ‘Silver Curls’, ‘Silverlade’, ‘Silverlock’) (until 1983, Germany). There are forms in the form of a straight tree, obtained by grafting a shoot of the central axis, and in the form of a lopsided tree, obtained by grafting a side branch. It grows slowly, with difficulty reaching 1.5 m in height. The needles, especially on young shoots, are curled upward and inward, so that the silvery underside is visible. Fruits abundantly, the cones are green or purple. With an excess of fertilizers, it tends to straighten the needles.

Korean fir variety ‘Taiga’(“Procumbens”) (1984, Germany). Dwarf prostrate variety. The needles are dark green. Fruits in early age, purple cones.

Korean fir variety ‘Tordis’. Dwarf, pyramidal with a symmetrical crown. The needles are dark green, slightly curled upward.

Korean fir variety ‘Tundra’(until 1993). A dwarf variety with a hemispherical or almost rounded crown. Height 0.4 m, width - 0.6 m. The surface is smooth and dense. The needles are bright green and small. Fruits at an early age. The cones are bluish.

Korean fir variety ‘Veredlung’. Semi-dwarf, asymmetrical, up to 1.5 m tall and 3 m wide, grown as a wide shrub, for which the central leader is cut out. Annual growth is up to 10 cm. The needles are smooth, pure green. It begins to bear fruit early. The buds are red-violet.

Korean fir variety ‘Verdener Dom’(until 2001, Germany). Semi-dwarf dense variety in the form of a pyramid with a clear central leader. The needles are bright green. Fruits, purple cones.

Korean fir variety ‘Zipfelmutze’. Hybrid variety(A. koreana x A. pinsapo) with splayed grayish-green needles, sparse but very neat. Perhaps it is not winter-hardy enough, since Spanish fir is very thermophilic.

Nordmann fir, or Caucasian fir - Abies nordmanniana

Caucasian fir is a tall tree up to 50 m. In cultivation at 10 years of age the height is 1.3 m (Moscow), at 25 years - 4.4 m (St. Petersburg), it freezes over in harsh winters. The bark is grayish-brown, cracking with age. The branches are light brown, pubescent, but quickly balding. The buds are not resinous. The needles are dark green, shiny, above and with whitish stripes below, 1540 mm long and 1.5-2.5 mm wide, bifid at the apex, comb-like on the old part of the shoot, flat at the tops. The cone is cylindrical, 12-20 cm long, reddish-brown with protruding covering scales.

The culture received its second name (Nordmann fir) after Alexander von Nordmann (1803-1866), a professor of botany at the University of Helsinki.

The homeland of Caucasian fir is the Caucasus, Türkiye. In culture since 1848

The wild form is often sold as a "Christmas tree".

Varieties of Nordmann fir in the photo

There are more than a dozen varieties. Given the low winter hardiness, creeping and dwarf forms are preferred.

Fir ‘Barabits Compact’(until 1990, Hungary). A dwarf compact variety with a flat top. The needles are green. Annual growth is 5-7 cm.

Fir ‘Golden Spreader’(‘Aurea Nana’) (1961, Holland). Semi-dwarf, very dense and slow growing variety. The crown is initially cushion-shaped, with age it takes the form of a wide pyramid with dense layers of outstretched branches. Annual growth is 4-5 cm. The needles are yellow, up to 2.5 cm long.

Single-color fir - Abies concolor

In nature it reaches 40 m, in culture at 30 years the height is 8 m (Moscow). The bark is gray, smooth, and cracks on old trees. The branches are yellowish-green, almost bare, the buds are resinous.

The needles are located rather chaotically, but are generally crescent-shaped and twisted upward, monochromatic, bluish-green, long, 4-6 cm and 2-2.5 mm wide, sharp or rounded at the top, convex on the upper side, and especially on the lower side . The cones are 7-12 cm long, greenish or purple until ripe, the seed scales are narrow - up to 2.5 cm wide, the coverts are hidden.

Homeland - mountains of the southwestern United States. In culture since 1872

One of our most common fir trees. Very winter-hardy, beautiful and well recognizable by its long, chaotic and monochromatic needles.

Varieties of single-color fir

There are about 30 varieties of single-color fir - all of them have a wide variety of shapes and possible colors. The number of dwarf and miniature varieties is constantly growing; this fir is one of the favorite objects for selection.

Single-color fir variety ‘Archer’s Dwarf’(until 1982, England). A dwarf variety with a dense crown, which changes with age from flattened to broadly cone-shaped. Height at 10 years is 0.8 m. The needles are very blue.

Single-color fir variety ‘Blue Safir’(‘Blue Saphir, ‘Blue Sapphire’) (Czech Republic). Miniature variety. At 10 years of age, the height is 0.3 m. The crown is cushion-shaped, very dense. The needles are short and blue. Witch's broom variety ‘Violaceae’.

Single-color fir variety ‘Kalleberg’s Weeping Blue’(Austria). Weeping variety with silver needles. Several other varieties with a weeping crown are known: ‘Pendula’, ‘Fagerhult’ (before 1933, Sweden), etc. They can be grafted onto a standard to limit growth.

Single-color fir variety ‘Kojakovice’(Czech Republic). Miniature. The crown is flattened and dense. The needles are narrow, blue, spaced. Witch's broom.

Variety of single-colored fir ‘Violacea’(‘Atroviolacea’, ‘Purpurea’) (1879). Group of clones and seedlings. Has the same habit as the wild form. The needles are intense silver-blue. The buds are purple-violet. Found in nature and among seedlings in nurseries.

Single-color fir is one of the most common firs in Russia. Very winter-hardy, beautiful and well recognizable by its long, chaotic and monochromatic needles. In nature it reaches 40 m, in culture at 30 years the height is 8 m (Moscow).

Single-color fir variety ‘Wintergold’(until 1979, Germany). The habit is similar to that of the wild form, but grows more slowly. The needles on young shoots are yellowish-green, turning green with age. Especially bright after frost.

Single-color fir variety ‘Wintergold Prostrata’. The crown is spread out, the branches are creeping. The shape of the needles is like that of the wild form, green in summer, turning yellow in winter.

Kidney-scaled fir, or whitebark fir - Abies nephrolepis

Tree up to 20 m in height. The crown is dense. The bark of young trees is very light, with numerous resin nodules, and darkens with age. Young shoots are yellowish with red pubescence. The buds are ovoid, blunt, with thick resin. The needles are 13-25 (30) mm long, 1.3-2 mm wide, dark green, shiny, with whitish stripes below, arranged radially. Cones 4.5-6.5 x 2-2.3 cm, first reddish, then purple. Covering scales are not noticeable.

The most common type of fir in the Far East, bud-scale fir is also found in China and Korea. Introduced in 1908. Winter-hardy, can be damaged by spring frosts. At a young age it grows slowly. Demanding on air humidity, shade-tolerant.

Several less common varieties have been registered.

Sakhalin fir - Abies sachalinensis

In nature, up to 40 m tall. The crown is dense, conical. The bark is smooth, gray with resinous nodules. Young shoots are light or reddish brown, with long light hairs in the grooves. Sakhalin fir buds are small, violet-tinged, and resinous.

The needles are thick and radial. Needles with a rounded or slightly pitted top, 16-35 (40) mm long and 1-2 mm wide, with whitish stripes below. Cones 6-8 x 2.5-3 cm, young greenish, mature almost black. It grows on Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Japan. In culture since 1878

Winter-hardy. Demanding on air humidity.

Siberian fir - Abies sibirica

In nature it reaches 30 (40) m in height, in culture at 40 years the height is about 8 m (Moscow), there are trees up to 25 m. The bark is smooth, gray. The lower branches hang down to the ground and take root. The branches are yellow-gray, finely pubescent. Siberian fir buds are small and resinous.

The needles are relatively soft, fragrant, 15-40 mm long and about 1.5-2 mm wide, rounded or notched at the end, bright green and shiny above, with narrow grayish stripes below, comb-like on shaded shoots or densely covering their upper surface with a covering side. The cone is 510 cm long, brown-red or bluish until ripe. The seed scales are about 1.5 cm long with a serrated edge, the covering scales are half as long as them. It is found naturally in the taiga zone of Russia, in the mountains of Mongolia and Kazakhstan. In culture since 1820

Found in gardens and parks. Bred by local nurseries. Very winter-hardy and grows relatively quickly.

There are more than 10 varieties of Siberian fir, but they have not become widespread.

Subalpine fir - Abies lasiocarpa (A. subalpina)

In nature, subalpine fir grows up to 50 m in height, in cultivation at 20 years it is about 6 m, and at a young age it grows slowly. The bark is smooth, silver-gray. The branches are gray, with short reddish hairs, the buds are resinous.

The needles are thick, ruffled, directed upward and forward, 15-40 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, pointed or round at the apex, light, bluish-green, slightly notched above and with stomatal stripes, with wide light stripes below. Cones are 6-10 cm long, with narrow scales, covering scales are hidden.

It is found in the western states from Alaska to New Mexico in mountain forests. Arizona variety var. arizonica, which is found in the mountains of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, can be separated into an independent species - Arizona fir (A. arizonica). It is notable for its particularly light bark and silvery, clearly combed needles. In culture since 1863

A very beautiful and completely winter-hardy fir with a characteristic color of protruding needles.

Varieties of subalpine fir

More than 30 varieties are known, derived mainly from the Arizona variety:

Fir variety ‘Argentea’(‘Arizonica Argentea’, ‘Glauca’, Abies arizonica var. argentea, Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica ‘Argentea’) (circa 1900, Germany). Has a wild form habit. The needles are exceptionally beautiful, silvery. There may be several clones distributed under this name.

Fir variety ‘Compacta’(‘Arizonica Compacta’) (1879, Holland). Semi-dwarf, dense, slow-growing variety with a rounded crown, which becomes broadly pyramidal with age. At 55 years old, he is 5.1 m tall (St. Petersburg). The needles are silver. Some do not consider these names to be synonymous and distinguish between the greener and taller variety ‘Compacta’ and the completely silvery ‘Arizonica Compacta’ (‘Compacta Glauca’).

Fir variety ‘Green Globe’(until 1979, USA). Dwarf variety, with a dense rounded crown. The needles are more green than bluish. Annual growth is 2.5-5 cm.

Fraser fir -Abies fraseri

In nature, Fraser fir reaches 25 m, in cultivation at 14 years the height is up to 5 m (Moscow). Similar to balsam fir, from which it differs in smaller cones with protruding curved tips of covering scales and the number of stomatal lines. Balsam fir has 4-8 of them on each strip, Fraser fir has 8-12. It is considered even more winter-hardy. In nature, it is found in the southeastern United States in the Allergan Mountains. In culture since 1811

There are at least 25 varieties, not recorded in Russia.

Whole leaf or black Manchurian fir - Abies holophylla

The height of wild trees is up to 60 m, in cultivation at 30 years the height is 8 m (Moscow), in St. Petersburg there are trees up to 17 m in height. The bark is dark gray-brown, even almost black, rough, in old trees with large longitudinal cracks. Whole-leaved fir branches are yellowish-gray, bare, resinous buds.

Fir belongs to coniferous trees family Pine. In the wild, it can be found in various regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from temperate to tropical. The natural habitat of fir is quite diverse.

It is most often found in coniferous forests, but can also grow in both mixed and deciduous forests. In this article you will learn everything you need to know about fir when growing on summer cottage.

Did you know? The name of this plant has German roots. The Russian name is derived from the German word Fichte (spruce).

Fir: plant description

The fir genus is far from the most numerous; descriptions of about 50 species can be found in the literature. Fir comes in the form of trees, the height of which can reach 80 m, and shrubs, which are no higher than 50 cm.

The plant has a powerful, tap root system. Although fir belongs to evergreens, it cannot boast of good resistance to frost. In addition, it does not tolerate dry air, as well as smoke and gas.

The bark of a young fir is smooth and thin; with age it becomes thicker and cracks. Characteristics of fir cannot do without describing the crown, which has a cone-shaped shape and starts right from the base of the trunk. The branches of this plant are arranged horizontally and ringed.

Fir needles are soft, entire, tapering at the base. Unlike many other conifers, a dirty red tint does not appear on fir needles in winter, and two white stripes can be seen at the bottom of each needle.

Female cones of fir are cylindrical or ovoid. Male specimens look like earrings made of cones. Fir can grow from seeds, but this process is too labor-intensive and time-consuming; most often this plant is grown using cuttings.

Did you know? Fir cones stick up, while other conifers have them hanging down.

Pollination occurs with the help of wind. Fir in cultivation can live up to three hundred years in one place. Next we will look at how to grow this plant on your site.

How to choose a location for a fir

Fir is not a capricious plant; every gardener can grow it. Mature plant is not afraid of winds, but in younger trees the roots do not go so deep, and a strong wind can tear the plant out of the ground. Therefore, it is worth protecting the plant from strong winds.

It is best to plant in the spring, in April, but fir can also be planted in the first half of autumn.

Lighting for fir

Strong sun can damage the plant, so partial shade is best for fir. Planting can be done either in groups or individually.

Is fir demanding on soil?

There are no special soil requirements for fir, but it is better to choose fertile soil. The only thing that is not suitable for the soil is stagnant water.

Important!Although fir loves moisture, its stagnation will have a bad effect on the development of the plant, so the soil must be well-drained.

How to plant a fir tree in a summer cottage

Anyone can plant a fir tree in their summer cottage; there is nothing difficult about it.

Preparing the planting hole

Before planting a fir, you need to do landing pit. Preparations must begin a couple of weeks before planting. The dimensions of the hole should be approximately 60x60x60 cm, but these figures may be different, depending on the size of the roots of the seedling.

To prepare the soil itself, you need to add:

• 1 part peat;
• 3 parts humus;
• 1 part sand;
• 2 parts clay;
• 250 g nitrophoska;
• 10 kg sawdust.

Fir seedling planting scheme

The roots of the seedling are lowered into the hole so that the root collar is level with the surface of the area.

Before planting, the roots of the seedling must be straightened. After planting, the soil is thoroughly compacted, and then the plant must be watered.

To grow fir alleys, the distance between seedlings should be 4-5 m; when planting in groups, seedlings can be placed closer (about 3 m for loose groups and 2-2.5 m for dense groups).

How to care for fir in the country

Caring for fir consists of simple recommendations. It won't take much of your time, and in return you will get a beautiful tree or shrub.

How to water a fir

Fir is absolutely not demanding when it comes to watering, with the exception of moisture-loving varieties. They require watering several times a season if the weather is dry. For the rest of the species, natural precipitation will be enough; they will not need artificial watering.

Feeding fir

Feeding should begin no earlier than 2-3 years after planting. This procedure is carried out in the spring; 100-125 g of Kemira-universal are added to the tree trunk circle as fertilizer.

Soil care

For normal development of seedlings, do not forget to regularly remove weeds and loosen the soil. The depth of loosening should not exceed 9-12 cm. It will also be useful to mulch the soil around the tree trunk circle. To do this, use peat, wood chips or sawdust, which are laid out in a layer of 6-8 cm.

Important! In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the mulch does not lie close to the root collar.

Fir pruning: how to shape the tree crown

The fir itself has a strict crown shape, but sometimes it may require additional shaping. All these procedures are carried out in the spring, before the sap begins to flow. Severely damaged and dry branches must be removed.

Fir propagation

Reproduction of this plant is not a problem, since fir can be grown from a twig. The cuttings must have an apical bud; annuals are best suited for planting. During the first 10 years, fir grows slowly, but then the process accelerates.

The noble and graceful fir plant will decorate any garden plot. It is characterized by a wonderful pine aroma, ease of cultivation and durability. This beauty will play the role perfectly New Year's tree, which can be decorated annually right in the garden.

Due to the variety of species and varieties, fir can perform various decorative functions. Dwarf varieties serve as the highlight of rockeries. The tree looks great in single and group plantings. If the area of ​​the site allows, you can plant an entire alley of fir trees.

Korean fir

This fir comes from the Korean Peninsula. It is known for the largest number of varieties. There are varieties with green and blue needles, of various shapes and sizes. There are a large number of varieties.

Some of the best varieties are considered:

• Molli - the variety is ideal for small areas;
• Brilliant – over 10 years its growth will be no more than 20 cm;
• Tundra - has light green needles, grows slowly, blue cones;
• Blue Emperor with bright blue needles grows over 2 m in height;
• Silberlocke has a pillow-shaped shape, becomes pyramidal with age, can grow up to five meters in height, the needles have a bizarre shape and color;
• Oberon - a dwarf variety no more than 30–40 cm in height;
• Blauer Pfiff – dazzling blue needles, height up to 3 m.

Korean fir is frost-resistant, easy to care for, and to preserve the bright color of the needles, it is advisable to plant it in well-lit areas.

Siberian evergreen tree

Fir is a popular, noble tree for landscaping summer cottages.

This is the most common variety of fir that can be found. It grows not only in Siberia, but also in the Urals, in the northeastern part of Russia, and is found in China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Siberian fir tolerates severe frosts well, but is not resistant to air pollution, so it can rarely be found in city parks.

Caucasian fir or Nordmann fir

These beautiful coniferous plants have become very popular lately.

This fir is sold in garden centers for growing in open ground. It is thermophilic and is native to the Caucasus. Nordmann fir does not tolerate frost well, but is well adapted to the dry climate of the southern regions.

Decorative single color tree

The graceful fir plant will decorate any garden plot.

Korean fir is distinguished by short needles and beautiful purple or blue cones that sit on green branches like New Year's toys. Breeders have developed many interesting varieties of this fir, which combine General requirements to care. Korean fir: description and plant varieties In nature...

This fir cannot be confused with any other tree. It is tall and powerful, its needles are thick, up to 7 cm long. The single-color variety is considered the most drought-resistant, therefore suitable for the southern regions, but it also tolerates frosts well. This fir is the most sun-loving, therefore, planted in shade or partial shade, it loses its decorative effect and begins to hurt. The Compacta variety, with a dense crown, is considered one of the best. At a young age it has a conical shape, then grows in width. It grows slowly - at 10 years it does not exceed 1 meter in height.

Balsam fir

It is very popular among gardeners.

Compared to other firs, this one is considered the shortest, living no more than 200 years. The famous Canada balsam is made from the bark of this fir. It is not suitable for southern regions with a dry climate. The Nana variety is considered one of the best. This is a dwarf, slow-growing variety; the height of an adult plant does not exceed 80 cm.

Whitebark or bud-scale fir

This fir comes from the Far East. When young, it has light, almost white bark. This is one of the few varieties that can be used in urban landscaping; it tolerates polluted air well.

Fraser fir

Caring for it is simple, and its decorative qualities are very high.

This fir is popular as a New Year's tree due to its aroma, resistance to needle shedding and regular pyramidal shape. This variety prefers a cool climate and has a large varietal diversity and has long been known to gardeners.

Tall evergreen noble tree

The noble fir is native to North America and grows north of the Cascade Mountains. The height of an adult tree reaches 60 m, life expectancy is 700 years. The crown is cone-shaped and becomes dome-shaped as the tree ages. The needles are bluish-green.

Subalpine fir

Quite a compact plant.

This fir has the most beautiful needles - bright and elegant. The tree is loved by florists and landscape designers. In nature, it is found in the mountains of North America. This species can be damaged by spring frosts, but tolerates winter frosts normally. Best variety with bluish needles, Compacta is ideal for small areas.

Preparing fir before planting

Planting and caring for fir is not particularly difficult. The most important stage preparation is choosing a healthy seedling. It is purchased at specialized garden centers or stores.

How to choose seedlings

For planting, you need to select seedlings in containers. They can be planted all year round except winter. The root system of such plants is well developed, but most importantly, the earthen ball around the roots is preserved, which is very important for coniferous crops.
For planting, you need to select seedlings in containers.

The microorganism mycorrhiza lives on the roots of fir, which helps the fir absorb moisture and nutrients.

The microorganism dries out 10–15 minutes after the roots are exposed. Therefore, you cannot buy fir seedlings with an open root system - they will not take root.

Preparing the site and soil

Firs are shade-tolerant, but develop better in open, sunny places. They prefer fertile, breathable soil that holds water well.
A properly selected site is the key to plant growth.

For planting, prepare the area, dig it up, and clear it of weeds. To improve the composition of the soil, you can mix two parts turf soil, one part peat and one part sand.

Planting in open ground

One of the first conditions for correct landing firs are a choice of location. It should be well lit by the sun.
There is no difficulty in landing.

Young firs are afraid of sunburn. When spring comes, the needles may turn yellow and fall off. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable to shade the plant on a hot afternoon with burlap, spruce branches or hay.

It is advisable to tie a young fir to a peg so that it does not get torn out of the ground during a strong wind.

What time of year should I plant a tree?

A seedling purchased in a container can be planted in spring, autumn and even summer.

Small fir seedlings.

It has a well-developed root system, which is practically not damaged during proper planting.

But it is best to plant a tree in early spring, before the buds open, or in the fall, long before the onset of frost.

Technology of planting seedlings

• For fir you need to prepare the correct planting hole. It is dug 20 cm wider than the container and 30 cm deeper.
• The root collar of the seedling cannot be buried; it should only be lightly sprinkled with soil.
• At the bottom of the planting hole, you can pour a layer of drainage made of broken bricks or expanded clay. It is especially important to do this if groundwater come close to the soil surface.
• The drainage is covered with a layer of soil on top, 100 g of nitroammophoska mineral fertilizer is poured in and mixed with the soil.
• The fir seedling is taken out of the container and placed in the prepared planting hole without disturbing the earthen ball around the roots.
• Fill the space in the hole with fertile soil and lightly compact it so that all the voids are filled.

Immediately after planting, the seedling needs to be watered well. At least 1 bucket of water is consumed per plant. The soil around the tree trunk must be mulched with peat or pine chips.

Caring for fir in the open ground

Growing fir in the garden does not require much effort. This is the most beautiful and grateful plant that responds to the slightest care and attention.

It is important to choose the right type of tree to plant in your region. Fir needs regular watering, removing weeds and mulching the tree trunk.

The tree does not need frequent feeding and is rarely affected by pests.

How to water correctly

Fir does not like excessive dryness and stagnant moisture; it requires moderate soil moisture.
The plant requires moderate humidity.

After landing young tree water once a week, pouring out at least 1 bucket of water. In summer, in hot weather, weekly watering is also advisable. The tree does not like excessive drying of the soil.

Fir is responsive to crown sprinkling. It can be watered over the needles with a hose or watering can. Sprinkling is done in the evening or in cloudy weather.

Loosening and mulching the soil

It is impossible to loosen the soil deeply, as you can damage the roots located near the surface. Weeds are removed from around the tree and loosened upper layer soil after watering and mulch to reduce moisture evaporation. Sawdust, wood chips or peat are used as mulch, spreading them in a layer of 6 to 8 cm.

Feeding and fertilizer

Does not require frequent feeding.

When planting fir on a site, mineral fertilizers are applied to the hole. These fertilizers are enough for 2 or 3 years, then the plant needs to be fed.

Fir does not really need fertilizers, as it is an evergreen tree. The best fertilizer humus or compost is good for it. You can deposit it once a year mineral fertilizer– 30 or 40 grams of nitroammophoska per 1 square meter trunk circle. Fertilizers are applied in spring or early autumn. You can't fertilize a tree late autumn- grown young shoots will suffer during frosts.

Technology of pruning and covering for the winter

Fir trees are naturally endowed with a beautiful crown.
There is no need to cover or trim.

As a rule, they do not need pruning.

In the spring, inspect the tree and cut off broken or dried branches. This is done in early March, before the sap begins to flow, so as not to harm the tree.

An adult tree does not need shelter; young seedlings can be covered with spruce branches and agrofibre before severe frosts.

Diseases, pests of fir and methods of combating them

If fir grows in good conditions, it is not affected by diseases and pests. A tree can get sick after stress - hot and dry summers and infrequent watering.
It is necessary to monitor the growth and development of fir.

Fungal diseases appear on a weakened plant, the root system becomes sick, and the trunk and needles are affected. The diseased tree is treated with systemic fungicides.

If harmful insects that have taken a fancy to the tree are visible on the needles or branches, treat with systemic insecticides. Repeat the procedure several times until the pests are completely destroyed.

Evergreen tree propagation

You can grow a new tree from a cutting or a seed. This process will take a long time; a small fir seedling grows very slowly.

Seed method

To collect the seeds of the cultivated fir you like, the still green cones are tied with gauze. When the seeds ripen, they will not fall to the ground, and birds will not peck them. The collected material is sown in open ground or into a moist substrate in a container.

There are several options for planting fir for garden decoration:

1. You can plant one or more plants in the center of a flowerbed or lawn to create a kind of living sculpture.
2. Along a fence or building wall for a beautiful background to flowers and deciduous plants. Fir can be planted together with other conifers - junipers or thuja.
3. Several firs in a row - to delimit parts of the garden, create a living alley or hedge.

Some types of fir grow very large, they create shade and oppress other plants in the garden. This must be taken into account when planting. Currently, there are many miniature and low-growing firs that will decorate a small garden plot and will not even interfere with the flowers in the flower bed.

To coniferous compositions looked attractive, you need to carefully choose the color of the needles and the shape of the crown. You can combine blue and bright green varieties, round and cone-shaped trees.

Creating landscape composition on a personal plot, you need to take into account not only the size of adult plants, but also their compatibility with each other. For example, fir does not grow well next to spruce, pine and cedar.

Fir is a responsive and patient plant. With proper care, it will delight its owners with the bright color of its needles and wonderful aroma for many years.