On the territory of Russia, as experts know, there are more than 50 species of well-known pine. This tree is valued in the timber processing industry for the special characteristics of its wood, which make it possible to widely use harvested lumber. The amount of resin produced in wood also depends on where the wood is pre-harvested.

Appearance Pines are familiar to the vast majority of Russians, since this tree grows in different climatic zones. Depending on the climate conditions of the area, pine differs somewhat in its basic characteristics.

This tree belongs to the tree, it can grow up to 50 meters in height, there are individual specimens of trees that grow over 70 meters. The tree trunk is almost straight and can reach one meter in diameter. Pine grows quickly; in construction, the tree most often used is one whose age exceeds a hundred years.

Trees that are over 160 years old are especially valued by construction experts; there is evidence that this plant can live over 500 years under favorable climatic conditions.

In construction, wood is valued for several of its most important qualities:

• Pine harvested in northern regions with a harsh climate has few knots, almost always a straight trunk and a minimum distance between annual rings. The distance between the rings affects the strength, softness and looseness of the entire lumber, so the smaller it is, the better.
• Pine contains resin between its fibers; this natural antiseptic perfectly protects the tree from microbes and rotting. Therefore, the practicality of this building material rated at five points.
• The tree has a minimal difference in diameter between its lower and upper parts, which affects the ease of processing and allows you to prepare lumber of different shapes.
• Pine wood is simply processed using available tools.

These are the main ones taken into account when making the right choice building material, parameters. But there is also a certain part of the characteristics that are also of no small importance. Pine wood, after a proper drying cycle, can be easily processed; it can be painted or varnished. Pine is used to make furniture; this tree is well suited for flooring, making frames, and shutters. Pine blanks are easily and firmly glued together.

Strength

For its high strength properties, pine wood is valued, the harvesting of which was carried out in northern regions. Such pine in its hardness and strength is second only to one tree - Caucasian fir.

Pine has different limits of its strength. If we calculate the bending strength of wood, it will range from 70 to 92 MPa. Strength, determined by compression along wood fibers, ranges from 40 to 49 MPa.

Natural humidity

A growing tree, that is, a tree that has not yet been cut down, has a different percentage of moisture depending on the part of the trunk. In the sapwood, the natural humidity of this tree reaches from 110 to 115%; in the core, the humidity generally remains at 33%.

The percentage of core moisture throughout the entire trunk almost always remains unchanged, and the moisture content of the sapwood at the top is higher.

There is also some fluctuation in humidity depending on the time of day and season. The highest humidity in a tree is detected in the morning, in the evening it reaches a minimum, and at night it begins to increase. If you measure the humidity of a freshly cut down tree, its average value reaches 80%.

Density

Since pine belongs to the group of trees with needles, its wood has a minimum density. The average calculated value at normal, that is, standard humidity of 12%, is 505 kg / cubic meter for commonly used breeds. m. The density of pine that has gone through the drying cycle reaches 480 kg/cu.m. m.

Chemical components

The chemical composition of the entire pine tree, including needles, bark, and cones, is very diverse. Man has learned to use all the properties of the biologically active substances of this tree species for his benefit in various industries, including medicine.

Dried pine wood contains carbon, hydrogen, about forty percent oxygen and a small percentage of nitrogen. Mineral compounds are also present in wood, as well as cellulose, pentosan and lingin.

Percentage of main chemical substances depends on where the harvested tree grew. Thanks to its basic elements, wood is used to produce turpentine, which is widely used in the medical industry. In wood chemical production, rosin extracted in a special way is valued.

Color and texture of pine wood

The wood of freshly cut pine predominantly has a slightly pinkish core, which over time becomes red with a brownish tint. The color of sapwood varies from slightly yellowish to almost red. Wood fibers different breeds Pines are mostly straight. And the texture is assessed by experts as medium-rough. Naturally, the color of wood depends on many factors, including the area where it grows, the age of the tree and its species.

Standards according to GOST

In order to set the grade of harvested lumber, it is necessary to use certain standards or GOST. At the same time, the diameter of the trunk, its curvature, and the presence of natural and artificial defects are assessed. All this is necessary to determine the grade of the workpiece, according to which the scope of use of the lumber is subsequently determined.

Combustion temperature and thermal conductivity

The total heat of combustion of pine wood is 4.4 kWh/kg or 1700 kWh/m³. This indicator is considered one of the best for firewood. Pine logs are widely used for heating private houses. Briquettes and production waste are often used in thermal power plants.

The thermal conductivity of pine wood increases as the density of this tree increases. In terms of thermal insulation, pine exceeds the performance of aluminum and PVC used in the manufacture of window blocks.

Types of pine trees and features of their wood

It is known that more than 50 species of pine are widespread in Russia. Some of them, due to their properties and wood texture, are valued in the wood processing industry.

Ordinary

Scots pine is found throughout Siberia, the Urals and most of Europe. The average life expectancy is about 200 years, although there are trees that have crossed the 400-year mark.

The wood of this type of pine is one of the densest, contains a large amount of resin, and therefore is less susceptible to rotting. The properties of wood that are valuable in the manufacture of lumber, such as hardness and ease of processing, depend mainly on soil moisture and average temperature conditions.

Pine wood, which grows on dry soils, is in demand. The environmental friendliness of pine is rated five points; it is easy to breathe in pine forests, and special essential substances help destroy various infectious pathogens.

Photo of Scots pine

Siberian

Siberian pine also has another name - cedar pine. IN favorable conditions this tree grows up to 800 years. The bark of this tree is quite thin, so mechanical damage is easily caused to the wood and fungi can easily penetrate inside, causing rot.

Siberian pine can be distinguished from Scots pine by its larger resin ducts. The wood of this tree is soft, easy to process, and retains heat well. The resinous, persistent odor repels many insects, so the wood is used to make home furniture and flooring boards.

In ancient times, it was from this tree that dishes for various dairy products were made. There were no germs in it, and therefore the milk remained fresh for a long time. Ease of processing is rated five points if there are few knots on the tree.

And this is what Siberian pine looks like in the photo

Karelian

This type of tree grows in the northern regions of our homeland and is probably why it has the most popular characteristics in construction. Karelian pine has a smaller height compared to its southern relatives. It can be distinguished by its densely spaced growth rings.

The wood of this tree is especially durable, resistant to rotting processes, and is rarely affected by insect pests and fungi. Products made from Karelian pine are distinguished by the highest durability. It is Karelian pine logs that builders recommend laying on the lower crowns of a wooden house.

Photo of Karelian pine

Crimean

Crimean pine is a southern subspecies of tree that grows mainly on the slopes of the Crimean mountains. You can distinguish pine from other types of pine by its grayish bark, since other trees of this coniferous species have a reddish tint. Due to its high gas resistance, this tree is widely used for landscaping city streets in southern cities.

Photo of Crimean pine

Ship's

Ship pine is not a specific type of this tree species, but a separate tree that differs in certain characteristics. Ship pine is a tree that has a special smooth trunk, the smallest number of knots.

The tree must have a certain hardness and strength, and the content of resinous substances in it is also taken into account. Previously, entire groves of ship trees were specially grown, and they were given special care and supervision.

This is what ship pines look like

Blue

Blue pine is often called a special variety of this tree - Glauca. The needles of this tree have a silvery-bluish tint. Often this tree is grown specifically for decorative purposes. The appearance of this type of pine is rated five points; this tree can successfully replace the valuable blue spruce.

Photo of blue pine

Which is better: pine or larch wood

Compared to pine, it is more durable and practically not susceptible to rotting when dry. Pine has wide sapwood, which is not removed during processing, but it must be treated with special antiseptics for strength. Larch has narrow sapwood. Pine differs from larch in its fire resistance - larch wood has almost twice the fire resistance.

Pine also has its own advantage - this wood costs almost half as much. The price of pine lumber is estimated at 4 points. When deciding which wood to choose, you need to consider what it is intended for. Experts advise that when constructing a wooden frame, use larch on the lower crowns, and then pine or spruce.

The video will tell you how to distinguish pine from spruce wood when purchasing:

Name: Scots pine.

Latin name: Pinus sylvestris L.

Family: Pine (Pinaceae)

Plant type: Evergreen coniferous tree.

Trunk (stem): Monoecious tree with a cone-shaped or pyramidal crown and monopodial ringed branching.

Kidneys: Buds are young shoots 1-4 cm long, placed in “crowns” of 5-6 pieces at the tops of the trunk and branches. On the outside, they are covered with spirally arranged pink-brown scales with a fringe, glued together with resin and containing small buds in their axils, from which very short branches with two needles develop.

Height: 25-50 meters.

Leaves: Leaves (needles) are linear-needle-shaped, 4.5 - 7 cm long, dark green, convex above, grooved below, pointed, held on short shoots in twos, grow for 3-5 years.

Flowering time: May.

Fruit: Male cones are gray-yellow, less often reddish, ovoid, 3-7 mm long, spike-shaped at the base of young elongated shoots. Female cones are reddish, single or 2-3, located in the upper part of the shoots; unripe cones are green, conical, ripe - grayish-brown, matte, ovate-oblong, 3-7 cm long, drooping, woody scales, spatulate, with an almost rhombic thickening (scutellum) and a tuberculate papilla at its apex.

Collection time: The apical shoots, called buds, are harvested in winter or in early spring when they are in the swelling stage (the scales on the tops of the buds should be tightly closed), it is best during sanitary felling. You can collect needles all year round. Resin is collected throughout the summer.

Features of collection, drying and storage: When collecting buds, the crowns are cut off so that the length of the branch under the crown does not exceed 3 mm. Collected material used fresh or dried in warm room, and under favorable weather conditions - in the sun, spreading a thin (3-4 cm) layer on paper or fabric and stirring often. The yield of dry buds is 38-40%. Finished raw materials are stored in dry, ventilated, dark rooms.
Pine needles are harvested during logging by breaking off young shoots with needles, shoots no more than 15-20 cm long and 8 mm thick and used fresh.
The resin is collected by cutting; it flows out of these artificial oblique cuts into special vessels. By dry distillation of shavings of tarred stumps, tar is obtained, and the remainder of the charred wood is used to obtain activated carbon. Store for up to 2 years.

History of the plant: Many peoples revered the pine tree; it served as a symbol of life (Finland), fertility and immortality (Asia Minor), eternity and longevity (Vietnam and Japan), fidelity to duty and integrity (Korea, China). In Japan, a pine tree covered with snow is the personification of a happy old age. During festivities dedicated to the god of wine and joy, Bacchus, the Greeks and Romans walked with wands that were wrapped in ivy and grape leaves and decorated with pine cone tops. Pine also figured in Slavic rituals: funerals, weddings.
Resin, or resin, was widely used among the people. The resin was chewed to strengthen gums, teeth and disinfect the oral cavity.

Spreading: In Russia, Scots pine is found in the European, including the Arctic, parts (except for the Lower Volga region), in the Caucasus, in Western and Eastern Siberia, in Far East; in Ukraine - in Polesie, in the northern part of the Forest-Steppe, occasionally on the sandy terraces of rivers in the northern part of the Steppe.

Habitats: Grows on sandy, sandy loam soils, sometimes in wetlands, forming pure and mixed (mainly with oak) forests.

Interesting Facts: No matter what part of the tree is wounded, the resin immediately flows out and heals the wound - this is how the pine tree heals itself. By making notches on the trunks, pine resin is extracted. A hundred-year-old pine tree can produce up to 16 kg of resin when cut.

Medicinal parts: Buds, shoots, needles, pollen, resin, green cones of the first year.

Useful content: Buds and needles contain essential oils, resin, ascorbic acid, rutin, carotene. tannins. Vitamins C, K, B1, B2, P, mineral salts, starch and a bitter substance were found in the needles. Largest quantity ascorbic acid in needles is observed in winter or early spring.

Actions: Galenic preparations from pine buds have expectorant, disinfectant, diuretic and choleretic properties. A decoction of the kidneys is taken orally for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, chronic pneumonia, rheumatism, gout, urolithiasis, dropsy, inflammation of the gallbladder and as a blood purifier. Pine buds are included in breast tea. Pine “honey”, prepared from fresh buds, is used for coughs and as a source of vitamin C.
When used externally, kidney preparations are an effective remedy for inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract (inhalation), for colpitis and cervical erosion (baths and douching), for rheumatism and skin diseases (baths).
Internal infusion of pine needles is prescribed as effective remedy for the prevention and treatment of scurvy. Needles are used a little more widely as an external remedy: extract for medicinal baths(for functional diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, for skin diseases, in

Medicinal recipes:

Resin (resin). Chewing resin is useful for hemorrhoids; there is no need to fear that these resin stones will not be digested: the stomach can digest this kind of substance very well.

Kidney decoction . 10 grams of kidneys per 200 ml of boiling water, boil for 2 minutes, strain. Use for douching and baths.

Heart diseases. Diseases of the nervous system. Insomnia . Paralysis. Gout. Rheumatism. Sciatica. Arthritis. Cold extremity syndrome. Skin diseases. Baths with an extract of pine needles have an unusually calming effect on people with painful irritability and amazingly strengthen the heart and nerves. Therefore, these baths are used with great success for suffering of the heart and nerves, inflammation of the nerves, nerve pain, nervous agitation, nervous insomnia, paralysis and gout, muscular and joint rheumatism, sciatica, tumors and inflammation of the joints, frozen limbs, skin suffering, abscesses, obesity, catarrh of the respiratory tract, asthma and lung disease.
Baths with pine extract are also useful for strengthening and revitalizing the strength of patients recovering from serious illnesses. These same baths can serve for therapeutic inhalation if you add 20-30 drops of real pine needle oil to the bath. Vapors saturated with essential oil have an excellent effect on the mucous membranes of the face.

Tree reaching up to better conditions height growth of 30-40 m or more, and a diameter of up to 100 cm. The trunk of Scots pine, growing in relatively closed plantations, is slender, straight, even, highly cleared of branches; in sparse stands or open spaces the tree is less tall, the trunk is tapering and more gnarled.

The crown of young trees is cone-shaped, later it is rounded, wider, and in old age it is even umbrella-shaped or flat. This depends on the nature and speed of growth of the central axial and lateral shoots.

The bark of different parts of the tree varies in thickness and different color: in the lower part of the trunk it is usually thicker and rougher, grooved, red-brown, almost gray; in the middle and upper parts of the trunk and on large branches of the crown - yellowish-red, peeling off in thin plates, almost smooth, thin; on young trees and thin branches - gray-green. The thickness of the bark reaches 10-12% of the trunk diameter.

Young shoots are bare, with brown scaly leaves, greenish-gray. The buds are reddish-brown, elongated-ovate, pointed, 6-12 mm long, mostly resinous, located at the end of the shoots whorled around the terminal bud, sometimes buds appear on the side of the shoots, but do not form branches.

The needles are bluish-green, convex above, flat below, hard, pointed, up to 8 cm long and up to 2 mm wide. The lifespan of needles is 2-3 years. However, there are cases when in some areas of the vast range of pine trees with special conditions habitat, the life expectancy of needles increases to 6-8 years or more. The oldest needles usually fall off annually.

Male spikelets are yellow or reddish, ovoid, 5-7 mm long, sitting crowded on short stalks at the base of young shoots current year, appear 2-3 days earlier than female ones. Stamens with two anthers, opening with a longitudinal slit.

Female cones are oval in shape, 5-6 mm long, reddish during flowering, sit 1-3 on short stalks at the end of the young shoots of the current year and consist of leathery covering scales, in the axils of which there are seed scales with two ovules each. Pollination occurs in the spring with the assistance of the wind, and fertilization occurs in the summer of the following year.

Pine cones ripen in the fall, and seeds begin to fall out of them in the spring of next year. In the Bryansk massif, this phenomenon occurs on average on May 12, or 718 days after the start of flowering. In the Moscow region, pine seeds begin to fall out of cones on May 4, or 8 days earlier than in Bryansk, Nerekhta - on May 5, or 709 days after flowering, in Obozerskaya near Arkhangelsk - on April 28, or 677 days after flowering.

The largest amount of pine seeds falls in May and June. Thus, according to observations in the BSSR, in April 4.8% of the number of seeds falls, in May - 62.2%, in June - 28.5%, in July - 4.1%, in August and September - 0.4% .

Mature cones of Scots pine are elongated-ovate, 2.5-7 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, brownish-gray, matte, with dense woody seed scales, hanging down on curved legs. The scutes, or apophyses, at the ends of the seed scales are matte or slightly shiny, almost rhombic, the navel (apophysis tubercle) is slightly convex. There are cones that are red-brown, lilac-brown, gray, gray-green (Fig. 3).

Pine seeds are elongated-ovate, 3-4 mm long. different colors(variegated, gray, black) with a wing 3-4 times longer than the seeds, covering the seed on both sides, like tweezers, and easily separating from it.

The germination rate of Scots pine seeds usually reaches 90% or higher, but persists for no more than 4-5 years, since during storage their germination rate gradually decreases and after 4-5 years they lose their economic value. The weight of Scots pine seeds varies in different geographical areas of its growth, increasing from north to south and from west to east. On average, 1000 seeds weigh 6 g (from 3.4 to 8.2 g). There are an average of 160-180 thousand pieces in 1 kg.

The size of the pine seed harvest is closely related to the growing area, forest type, age of the tree stand, its completeness, weather conditions and other environmental factors. On average, in the forest zone the pine yield is determined to be 2 kg per 1 hectare. In years of abundant harvests, it can reach 5 kg or more. In lean years there are almost no seeds.

Seed germination and emergence of seedlings is possible throughout the growing season.

Typically, seedlings appear with sufficient soil moisture and appropriate air temperature 2-3 weeks after the seeds fall out of the cones or sowing.

Seedlings usually have 4-7 triangular cotyledons. On seedlings they are solitary, sit spirally. Paired needles appear in the second year. The apex of the elongated shoot of the second year ends with one apical and several lateral buds, of which next spring an axial shoot and a first whorl with two or three lateral branches are formed. When determining the age of young pine trees by whorls, two units should be added to the number of whorls, since in the first two growing season no whorls are formed at the shoot. It is relatively easy to determine the age of a pine tree by whorls up to the age of 40-50 years; later this is more difficult to do, since the branches of the lower whorls die and become overgrown with wood and bark. In addition, under favorable humidification conditions in summer period and in a sufficiently warm and long autumn, the pine tree can produce two or more growths per season and form a second or even several whorls. Obviously, in such cases it will be difficult to correctly determine the age of the tree.

In practice, the age of a tree is often determined by the growth rings on the stump or by incremental cylinders drilled with a drill. Such a calculation can give a more accurate idea of ​​the age of the tree, since a secondary annual ring of wood is not formed during the formation of the second shoot growth in height.

Pine enters the time of seed bearing (“fruiting”) early. At the age of 10-15 years, and sometimes earlier, individual pines growing in open spaces begin to gather dust and produce quite viable seeds. In more closed forest stands, this process begins later - from 20-25 years and then continues throughout life, but bountiful harvests seeds mature in 2-3-5 years. In the best growing conditions, pine bears fruit more often and more abundantly, in worse conditions it bears fruit less often and weaker. However, there is no clear frequency of harvests.

Scots pine is a fast-growing species. Maximum height increase by best soils occurs at the age of 15-20 years, at worst - at 25 years. At the age of 40-50 years, height growth slows down and then stops altogether. The diameter of the tree grows throughout its life. Pine lives up to 300-350 years, rarely up to 400 years or more.

Scots pine is undemanding in terms of climate. It grows in the harsh climate of the Arctic and in the sultry steppes of Kazakhstan. Able to tolerate severe droughts and high dry air and soil. It does not suffer at all from late spring frosts and can settle in open spaces first, i.e. it is a pioneer breed. It is also undemanding to soil fertility. It grows quite successfully on poor and dry sandy soils, on rocky rocks in the mountains, on chalk deposits and peat-boggy soils. But it develops better on fresh sandy loam and light loamy soils, as well as on degraded chernozems.

Scots pine has a plastic root system that develops in accordance with the nature and structure of the soil. In conditions with insufficient water supply and deep groundwater levels, pine develops a superficial, highly developed root system and an underdeveloped tap root. On soils that are swampy or with a close groundwater level, the pine root system is also superficial, without a taproot. On fresh, well-drained, deep sandy, sandy loam and loamy soils, pine usually develops a powerful root system with a taproot extending 1.5-2 m or more into the soil; in such conditions it is very wind-resistant. On shallow and damp soils it often suffers from windfall.

Scots pine is very demanding of light and in this regard is second only to larch. Light-loving pine trees, however, are not the same everywhere: in the northern regions of their growth and in the mountains, they are more demanding of light than in the southern regions, where in some cases, especially at a young age, they require some shading. Pine undergrowth usually survives in such conditions only in shaded places, and burns out in open spaces. Lack of lighting under the canopy of dense young pine trees leads to the rapid death of stunted trees and the clearing of branches from the trunks of more developed trees.

Scots pine wood has been used by humans since time immemorial. It is very widely used in civil and industrial construction, in the construction of railways and highways, bridges, telegraph and telephone communication lines, in the mining industry, in carpentry and furniture production, in sawmilling, etc. We produce from pine: , . Commercial pine wood has unlimited demand on the international market. Logging and sawmill waste is a valuable raw material for the wood chemical industry. From them methyl and ethyl alcohols, resins, turpentine, phenols, rosin, carbon dioxide, feed yeast, crystalline glucose and other products are obtained. By tapping, oleoresin is obtained, and from the latter - turpentine and rosin.

Scots pine wood with a pinkish or brownish-red core and yellowish-white sapwood, straight-grained, light, resinous, durable, easy to process. The annual layers are clearly visible. The early part of the annual layer is light, the later part is darker. The increase in the width of the annual layer occurs due to early wood (less dense). In a narrow layer, late (more dense) wood predominates, with high physical and mechanical properties.

Characteristics of pine wood: wood is almost 50% carbon, 44% oxygen and nitrogen, and 6.4% hydrogen. Chemically, it consists of 42.9% cellulose, 10.8% pentosans, 29.5% lignin, 12.8% hexosans, 3.2% resinous substances and 1.8% other water-soluble substances.

Scots pine also has medicinal value. Pine buds, collected in the spring before they bloom, are widely used in medicine. The buds contain resins, essential oils, starch, bitter and tannins, boretin, and mineral salts. Pine needles are rich in vitamin C and carotene. From it they get essential oil for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Pine needles can be processed into vitamin flour, pine wool and cotton wool.

Scots pine seeds contain a lot of fatty oil, which has medical, nutritional and technical significance. You can use pine pollen as baby powder and as a substitute for moss moss spores in making pills.

The pine forest impresses with its monumentality, the sense of constancy and inviolability of the foundations of the universe, its upward direction, and the unique purity of its aura.

Since ancient times, these trees have been considered a symbol of immortality and fertility, wisdom and spiritual help.

And if there is no forest nearby, you can plant Scots pine in your garden plot.

Botanical description

Reaching a height of 40-50 m, Scots pine rightfully takes pride of place among trees of the first magnitude. The diameter of the trunk at the base reaches 100 cm. The color of the bark is heterogeneous, as is its thickness. And there is a logical explanation for this fact.

The thickening of the red-brown or gray covering of the trunk in the lower part of the tree has a protective function, protecting it from overheating during drought and from ground fires.

In the middle and upper parts of the trunk, deep, intricately twisted grooves disappear, turning into an almost smooth surface of a yellow-red hue, thin, with peeling plates.

In dense plantings, pine trees grow slender, even, with trunks cleared of branches to a great height. And those standing alone conifers have opposite characteristics: less growth and more branches.

With age, the shape of the tree's crown changes: from cone-shaped in young years to spherical in the middle period of life and flat, umbrella-shaped in old age.
Scots pine needles have a bluish-green color, the length of the needles is 5-8 cm. They are quite dense in structure, collected in pairs in bunches. If deciduous trees change their decoration annually, then coniferous ones every three years; This usually happens in September.

Pine prefers sandy soils, but can adapt to any growing conditions thanks to its root system, which is capable of modification. In arid lands or when groundwater is deep, a tap root develops rapidly, which can reach 6 m.

Soils saturated with moisture cause the appearance of a well-branched surface root system.

The complete lack of demands on climatic conditions is striking. This tree grows calmly both in the Arctic and in Kazakhstan, stoically enduring both frost and heat. The lifespan of this representative of coniferous species is on average up to 200 years, but there are exceptions that live up to 400 years.

Did you know? The most ancient tree on our planet - the Methuselah pine, which is 4,842 years old. Her location is not declassified for her own safety.

Scots pine prepares for the winter in a unique way. To ensure that the needles remain on the tree, they are covered with special wax - evaporation does not occur through them, and the “breathing” of the tree stops.

This plant is often found in urban environments, although it has a hard time withstanding dirty air and does not have time to clean it, since within 1.5 years the needles become covered with a layer of soot and dust, making the life of the pine difficult.

Composition and beneficial properties

The coniferous beauty has been known for thousands of years as a powerful healer. Ancient Egyptian balms, which included pine resin, found during excavations have not yet lost their bactericidal properties.
Nature has miraculously provided for the need for such assistants to treat people. The main thing is that people remember to use it with gratitude and care.

The following were found in pine needles:

• anti-scorbutic vitamin C;
• carotene, which is often called the “elixir of youth” and “the source of longevity”;
• vitamin K, which provides normal level blood clotting, prevents hemorrhages and blood loss;
• vitamins B2, D, E, R.

Pine needles, especially in winter period, saturated:

• tannins;
• anthocyanins;
• alkaloids;
• flavonoids;
• bitter substance pinicicrin;
• paracymol;
• coumarin;
• essential oils (bornyl acetate, limonene, camphene, ocimene, myrcene, borneol, pinene);
• microelements (copper, iron, boron, molybdenum, zinc, manganese).

The following were detected in the kidneys:

• tannins;
• ascorbic acid;
• essential oil;
• naphthoquinone;
• mineral salts;
• carotene;
• routine;
• resin.

The following was found in the resin (resin) obtained from wood:

• resin and fatty acids;
• terpenoids.

Even the bark can be beneficial - it contains a large amount of anthocyanin pigment substances, which are used as dyes in the food industry.

All parts of this amazing plant have beneficial properties.

An infusion of pine buds is widely used for cosmetic purposes. By rinsing washed hair with it, you can prevent hair loss, strengthen the roots, and give it a healthy, shiny look.

Taking baths with an infusion of pine buds has a cleansing effect on skin prone to rashes and irritations.

This procedure promotes wound healing, relieves spasms and muscle tension, nourishes the skin, and prevents cellulite.

In cosmetological facial skin care, pine buds are not used in their pure form; they become constituent elements nourishing creams, masks and herbal preparations.

IN folk medicine They use shoots, buds, needles, resin, pollen and green cones of the first year pine, because they have a whole range of useful properties:

• restorative (vitamin);
• expectorant;
• annoying;
• diuretic;
• choleretic;
• antimicrobial;
• blood purifying;
• vasodilator;
• disinfectant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• anti-radiation

And the air, saturated with particles of oleoresin and a huge amount of phytoncides, can be called a natural disinfectant inhaler.
After all, it is known that people suffering from lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases feel much better in pine forest, and sometimes they are even cured without the use of any medications.

Landing

The most favorable time For planting a pine seedling and adapting it to a new place, either the second half of April or the first ten days of October is considered.

Such deadlines are due to the necessary temperature conditions: in the spring the soil is already well warmed up, retaining sufficient moisture, and the indicated autumn period allows the seedling to take root normally and prepare for winter frosts.

In order for the tree to develop well and delight with its beauty, it is recommended to choose sunny places for it; as a last resort, light shade of the area is acceptable.
A coniferous plant planted in the shade will be suppressed, its growth will slow down, the crown will never amaze with the density and richness of the color of the needles.

If the soil is sandy or sandy loam, then no special requirements are required to prepare for planting the coniferous beauty. If the soil is heavy clay, then drainage preparation should be carried out by filling the planting hole with broken brick, slate or expanded clay to a depth of at least 20 cm.

If the soil is acidic, you should also add 150 g of lime to the planting hole.

You should not rely on “maybe” in such an important moment as choosing a seedling. A prickly “baby” dug up in a nearby forest will not take root and will simply dry up next year. After all, the necessary bacteria live on the roots of this plant, which die in the open air within 20 minutes.
That's why the most important condition When planting pine trees, it is important to ensure that the root system is as closed as possible from exposure to air. It is necessary to purchase seedlings from specialized nurseries, in containers that ensure the viability of root bacteria.

The coniferous sprout should be no older than 5 years and no higher than 40 cm. These optimal sizes will allow him to settle down in a new place faster and easier.

Dimensions landing pit should correspond to the volume of the container: be 30 cm larger in diameter and 40 cm deeper.

It is enough to sprinkle the drainage layer with soil, but it is preferable to use a soil mixture of 3 parts of turf soil and 1 part each of sand and peat. The coniferous beauty is not demanding on the quality of the soil and can adapt to any growing conditions.
But before planting a young plant, 150 g should be added to the soil mixture so that the adaptation period passes faster and growth is more intense.

The seedling is taken out of the container extremely carefully, trying not to destroy the earthen lump, and placed in a hole.

Important! The root collar of a young pine tree should be level with the surrounding soil. In this regard, the soil in the hole is compacted before planting so that after watering it does not sag and the neck does not end up below ground level.

Perhaps the tree should be planted a little higher, so that even after natural shrinkage of the soil, the root collar will be at the required height, protecting it from rotting, and the sprout itself from death.

The space around the root ball is covered with fertile soil and compacted. Then, to prevent water from flowing out, a hole is formed for irrigation. Coniferous beauties love sprinkling: after planting, it is advised to water the seedling generously, including using a sprayer.
Young pines require frequent watering: Once every 7 days, 2 buckets of water for one tree. They will also need protection from the scorching sun.

It’s good if they grow surrounded by older trees, which become natural shading protection, and fallen leaves, in turn, can become shelter from frost.

Care

Up to the age of 2 years, young trees need care that will provide maximum comfortable conditions to strengthen the root system and further growth.

Priming

You should carefully monitor the condition of the soil in tree trunk circle, since over time it can sag or, conversely, under the influence of heavy rainfall, close the root collar, and this is already dangerous for the tree.
If necessary, add the required amount of nutrient soil mixture. Care should be taken to loosen the soil and destroy weeds.

Location

Young seedlings should be in sunny areas, but in extreme heat they must be shaded at first to avoid burns.

Watering

Scots pine needs regular watering for the first 2 years after planting. But in general, this conifer is a drought-resistant plant, so it does not require further additional watering, in addition to natural precipitation.

Top dressing

It is important to remember the immutable truth: it is better not to feed coniferous plants at all than to do it incorrectly. Garden mixtures and complex fertilizers are completely unsuitable for these purposes.
Manure and various infusions of green grass and weeds will lead to accelerated growth, which will result in yellowing, and in extreme cases, even the death of some seedlings.

The problem is not the amount of food, but its composition. Specialized stores stock special fertilizers for coniferous plants. Before purchasing these supplements, you should carefully study their chemical composition.

You need to know that the pine tree receives its main nutrition not through its roots, but through photosynthesis. This reaction is not possible without magnesium, which is why its presence becomes an indispensable condition when choosing a fertilizer.

For high-quality nutrition of coniferous representatives of the flora, absolutely It is unacceptable to use fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. This element causes accelerated growth of green shoots, due to which they are not able to ripen on time and prepare for winter.
Still, it is recommended to use mineral fertilizers. The best organic “feeders” for these plants are well-rotted compost and vermicompost, a product of earthworm processing.

Important! Fertilizing should be done during active growth- in May and at the end of August, so that the new growth has time to get stronger before the onset of serious cold weather.

In order for the pine tree to quickly receive useful nutrition and absorb it just as quickly, experts advise turning to liquid forms of feeding. And for a gradual and long-term effect, granules are embedded in the soil near the tree trunk, the effect of which can be expected after several months.

If the soil around the coniferous beauties has increased acidity, then it is more advisable to use it to neutralize it. In addition to calcium, it contains magnesium, in the most easily digestible form for the roots.

How to transplant

If for any reason there is a need to transplant young plant to another place, the natural question arises of how to do this correctly and in the least traumatic way for the coniferous tree.

1. First of all, it should be taken into account that this procedure is carried out with trees no older than 5 years.
2. The main condition for this is the preservation of the root ball of the earth. Its size should correspond in diameter to the span of the lower branches, but not less than 60 cm. After digging up the tree, this lump should be tied with two layers of gauze, natural fabric or burlap: they will protect the soil from shedding. Together with the strapping, which will quickly rot in the ground and will not interfere with the development of the root system, the pine tree can be lowered into a hole prepared in advance. The voids are filled with soil mixture and compacted. After this, generous watering is needed with the addition of “Kornevin” according to the instructions to stimulate root growth.
3. It is necessary to shade the seedling from the sun's rays and water it regularly, avoiding stagnation of water, with sprinkling or spraying the crown.
4. Some experts advise treating such trees with anti-stress drugs, for example.

The older the pine tree, the more difficult it is to replant, since the main tap root is more damaged, and this can be detrimental to the tree. Therefore, you should always weigh all possible risks and not sacrifice the plant for the sake of momentary desires.

Diseases and pests

Nearby forest plantations can become a source of diseases and pests for Scots pine. Imported soil and the planting specimen itself can pose a threat. A weakened plant acts as a kind of bait for numerous insect pests and fungi.

The first ones quickly find such a tree by its special smell and attack it, trying to gnaw the needles or wear out the wood. Infectious fungi are brought to the plant by winds, rain, birds, insects and people.

The most common pests include pine aphids, scale insects and the subbark bug. They literally suck out the juices, especially from young or slightly weakened conifers.

Individual control methods are also used:

1. Effective against scale insects purely mechanical removal pests from the trunk, as well as installing belts made of straw and burlap for them.
2. For bedbugs, glue catching belts are installed.
3. Aphids can be washed off with a strong stream of water. Washing branches infested with aphids with a soapy solution is also useful.

Entire pine forests are quickly losing their needles due to the dominance of the pine silkworm.

This attack can also destroy conifers. personal plots, if you do not respond promptly. The only means of combating this pest are systemic insecticidal preparations.

One of the most dangerous destroyers of coniferous seeds is the cone moth, whose caterpillars eat seeds from cones. They are destroyed by special chemicals during the period of its release.
Among the trees growing on the site there should not be rootless logs or boards with bark residues, because they become a breeding ground for the bark beetle. The tree occupied by this dangerous pest, it cannot be saved - it can only be cut down and burned to prevent a mass epidemic.

Pines are endowed with immunity to infectious diseases, but under certain conditions unfavorable conditions may be affected by them. Excess moisture, dense plantings, low levels of illumination can cause fungal infections.

And should not grow near pine trees: they are known as carriers of rust fungus. If it appears on the needles, then copper-containing insecticides come to the rescue.
If the bark is damaged by severe frosts, drought or animals, there is a high probability of infection with a fungus that causes necrosis of the bark, its death and drying out.

All damaged branches must be immediately removed to a living bud, the fungus must be removed from the bark with a swab containing a fungicide, and in May and August, spray with copper-containing preparations and systemic fungicides.

Application

Despite the great variety of pests and diseases that threaten the health of the pine itself, it has long been considered a symbol of life, powerful energy and the struggle for survival in any conditions. A tree planted on a site is useful in that it provides fresh, clean, healthy air.

Did you know? Scientists have determined that in a pine forest per 1 cubic. m there are about 500 microbes, and in the city there are 36 thousand. Even within a radius of 5 km from the forest, the air is healing and ionized.

All parts of this beautiful tree are used in folk medicine. Infusion and decoction of the plant's buds are indispensable in the treatment of influenza, coughs of various etiologies, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and liver diseases.

For inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, inhalation with a decoction of the kidneys is indicated. Infusion and tincture of pine cones are recommended for bleeding and heart disease. To prevent vitamin deficiency, a pine decoction is prepared. The needles are processed into vitamin flour, wool and cotton wool.

Tea is prepared from pine pollen, which has a beneficial effect on gouty inflammation and rheumatism. You can even use the pollen of this coniferous representative as baby powder.

After undergoing surgery or a serious illness, it is recommended to use pollen mixed with honey to quickly restore strength.

The yellow film from the bark of the plant is used to heal wounds, ulcers and boils. Fresh pine sawdust helps relieve pain in the joints and lower back. Tar is obtained from pine chips. On its basis, ointments are made for the treatment of scabies, eczema and scaly lichen.

The wood is processed to produce activated carbon, used in the form of powder or tablets for increased gas formation and poisoning.

Scots pine resin is an integral part of mixtures and ointments for gout and rheumatism. For catarrh and pulmonary diseases, it is used as an inhalation remedy.

This substance is actively used for the production of rosin and turpentine, which, in combination with camphor oil, is recommended to be used as a rub for colds, coughs, and lumbar pain.

Did you know? Pine is capable of self-medication. At the slightest damage to any part of the tree, resin immediately releases and closes the wound. A hundred-year-old pine tree with such cutting can produce up to 16 kg of resin.

Naturally, these drugs can only be used after consulting a doctor and taking into account contraindications: kidney disease, pregnancy and individual intolerance.
Turpentine rubbing should be used without fanaticism, as allergic reactions, blisters and even tissue necrosis may occur. In everything you should observe moderation and common sense.

Nature generously gifts humans with opportunities to use its resources for good. Her gift in the form of a beautiful, strong and healing pine tree is truly priceless. All that is required of a person is to apply it carefully and wisely beneficial features and just as carefully protect, increasing, this beauty.

Plant catalog "Landscape" - ornamental trees and shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials, for the garden

Are you looking for a useful and valid basis for your garden design work? Then the online catalog of decorative garden plants The Landscape website is what you need. Here you will find not only an extremely wide range of plants for the most different conditions habitat, but also get a lot of other information. The online catalog of plants for the garden “Landscape” is a practical guide to available ornamental plants on the Ukrainian market. Online catalog ornamental plants for the “Landscape” garden is constantly updated and replenished with new ornamental plants.

For land owners, for people who are in love with plants and gardens, the online catalog “Landscape” is an accessible and popular guide to help in choosing plants for the garden. In the catalog we tried to describe all the features and characteristics of plants; all plants are illustrated with photographs showing the shape or characteristic features of the plants. Descriptions of the presented plants are simple and clear, interesting short practical advice, contain basic information regarding plant characteristics, soil requirements, light and frost resistance, care recommendations and possible use or arrangement with other species. Additional and very helpful information contained in the silhouette of a plant in adulthood with a human figure, which allows you to imagine the future size and shape of an adult plant, which makes it possible to immediately choose the right plants for the garden.

The online catalog of ornamental garden plants "Landscape" uses international standards for writing plant names. We primarily use Latin names to avoid ambiguity, as well as Russian names and synonyms. This will allow you to quickly find the manufacturer of the plant you are interested in.

Climate influence and frost resistance

A hardiness zone is a region in which a particular plant species typically still tolerates winters well, in other words, the region where its cultural range begins. It is important to understand that the frost resistance of plants depends on many factors; all data on climatic zones of winter hardiness are only approximate. Within one zone, the microclimate of some regions may differ significantly from the given data. For example, urban areas are typically half a step warmer than their surrounding landscape. Large bodies of water, areas, as well as slopes and hilltops have a positive effect on the climate, while unfavorable conditions prevail in depressions and valleys.

The climate zone number, indicated under each plant description in the catalog, shows the degree of its resistance to low temperatures - the lower the zone number, the more frost-resistant plant. Plants can often grow in regions of five or more climate zones. A plant from zone 2 can usually grow without problems in zones 3,4,5,6,7, and possibly also in zones 8 and 9. These zone recommendations are based on availability optimal conditions for each individual plant and without taking into account the protection of snow cover. Information about climate zones of frost resistance is also a hint on how to cover plants for the winter.

Map of winter hardiness zones of Ukraine

Winter hardiness zones and their ranges of average annual minimum temperatures

Abbreviations:

	light-loving plants		dessert fruits
	semi-shade-tolerant plants		fruits suitable for homemade preparations
	shade-tolerant plants		fruits for freezing
	moisture-loving plants