Korean cedar: description and popular varieties, planting and care, application

Korean cedar is considered one of the most valuable tree species in the coniferous forests of the Far East. Currently, this crop is grown in reserves and summer cottages. It beautifies the natural landscape and helps to create a unique forest atmosphere. In order for the plant to adapt well and develop fully, it is important to carry out planting work correctly and provide it with quality care.

What kind of tree is this

In fact, this plant does not belong to the genus Cedar. In botany, it is called cedar pine or Korean. Thus, scientists attribute this culture to the Pine genus.

In a favorable environment, a tree can reach a height of 45-50 meters. Moreover, its diameter is 2 meters. The bark of the conifer is rather thin and rough. It has a gray-brown color with reddish notes. The tree has a well-developed dense crown, which is distinguished by a cone-shaped shape. As culture develops, it becomes more light-loving. Young trees are covered with light red hairs.

Korean cedar grows in cold temperate climates. The root system of the tree goes deep and wide by 1 meter. Therefore, young plants are characterized by a high degree of resistance to wind. The culture is characterized by rather long needles measuring 7-20 centimeters. It has a bluish-green tint. Needles form small bundles of 5 pieces in size. The needles are replaced at intervals of 4-6 years.

The buds of this plant are egg-shaped. They grow predominantly on the upper part of the tree and can reach a length of 16-17 centimeters.Moreover, their width exceeds 8 centimeters. Korean cedar has edible nuts. Each of them is covered with a hard woody peel. She has no wings.

Distribution area

In Russia, cedar pine is predominantly distributed in the Amur region, Primorye and the Far East. Also, this culture is found on the shores of the Tatar Strait and the Sea of Japan. In small quantities, the tree grows in the Ussuri and Amur valleys. Ephedra is also found on the Japanese island of Honshu, in Korea and in northeastern China.

Tree yield

According to the botanical description, Korean cedar grown from seeds begins to bear fruit 25-27 years after the first sprouts appear. Under natural conditions, only trees over 60 years old give a harvest.

The fruits of the plant ripen 1 year after pollination. This takes place at the end of October.From 1 culture it is possible to get up to 500 cones, or 25-28 kilograms of nuts. In 1 cone there are approximately 130-150 seeds. It is important to consider that nearby plants and the location of the cedar affect crop yield parameters.

Harvesting is required at intervals of 3-4 years. Korean cedar gives a maximum of nuts at 100-170 years. By the age of 300-350, the yield of the plant drops.

Popular varieties

Cedar pine looks quite attractive. However, the large size does not allow growing a crop in a small area. Therefore, through the efforts of breeders, many varieties have been bred that are distinguished by their compact size. Also, new varieties are characterized by an unusually shaped crown or bright needles.

Cedar Sulange

This plant is a variety of Korean cedar. It reaches a height of 40 meters and is distinguished by long bluish-green needles. The fruiting of the plant begins at 15-20 years. This cedar is characterized by a rather dense openwork crown.

The plant perfectly withstands air pollution. Thanks to this, it can be planted in city parks. An important advantage of the culture is the early onset of fruiting. The plant yields 10 years earlier than the regular Korean cedar.

Silverey Pine

This ornamental culture has a pyramidal crown. It is characterized by long and slightly curved needles of a silver-blue color. By the age of 10, the tree reaches a height of 2.5 meters. Moreover, its diameter is 1.2 meters. For a year, the culture increases by 25 centimeters.

This variety is characterized by high parameters of resistance to frost, demands on soil fertility and the absence of moisture stagnation near the root system. It should be borne in mind that until 1978 this culture was sold under the name Glauka. However, the name was later changed. This was done in order to separate the plant from another variety, which is less resistant to frost.

Cedar Morris Blue

This variety originated in Pennsylvania. It is characterized by high resistance to frost. The culture forms a dense crown of a conical shape. It is characterized by silver-blue needles, which form bundles of 5 pieces. During the season, the cedar pine grows by 15-20 centimeters. An adult plant reaches a height of 3.5 meters. At the same time, the width of its crown is 1.8 meters.

This crop is characterized by gray bark, which looks especially attractive in winter. Cedar Morris Blue has difficulty growing in the city. In addition, he needs a sufficient amount of sun and the absence of moisture in the root area. At the same time, the culture withstands dry weather well. The life span of the plant reaches 120 years.

Russian varieties

In Russia, selection work on breeding Korean cedars has been carried out for more than 20 years by the Tomsk enterprise Siberian Academy of Trees and Bushes LLC. This organization has developed the Blue Amur variety. It is characterized by spectacular blue needles and a height of 4 meters.

In the Far East, Alexander Simonenko is engaged in the selection of varieties of Korean cedar. Today, in the Tomsk nursery, dwarf plants are being tested, which are able to bring early harvest. These include varieties Patriarch and Svyatoslav.

It is worth noting that it is very problematic to buy Russian cultivars. They are quickly taken apart, without even waiting for the age of 2.

How to grow a tree outdoors

In order for the tree to develop well and retain its decorative characteristics, it is important to carry out planting work correctly.

Selecting and preparing a site

Korean cedar needs to be grown in acidic moderate fertile soil. It should include a lot of humus. Of no small importance is the high permeability to air and water. Such plants develop well in rocky soil and are resistant to strong winds. At a young age, trees normally withstand shading, but as they develop, they become more light-loving.

Such crops can develop in areas with low groundwater. They must be at least 1.5 meters from the ground. Trees are distinguished by powerful roots that go deep underground and do not tolerate stagnant moisture.

When preparing a site for planting, it is required to clear the area of weeds. Stones can be left behind. The landing recess is recommended to be large enough. In diameter and depth, it should be 1-1.5 meters. To prepare a nutrient substrate, it is recommended to mix the topsoil with 3-5 buckets of leaf humus. It is also worth adding sour peat and at least 20 liters of coniferous litter to it.

The listed components make the soil more loose and acidic. In addition, they increase its permeability to moisture and air. With a high occurrence of groundwater, the planting pit needs to be made deeper and drainage should be poured to the bottom.It may consist of crushed brick or gravel.

Landing

To speed up adaptation, it is recommended to plant sufficiently mature plants on the site. The best option would be 10-year-old seedlings, whose height exceeds 80 centimeters. However, these plants are quite expensive. In addition, at least 2 trees are required to obtain a bountiful harvest. Because many gardeners have to buy small seedlings. Their advantage is not only low cost, but also ease of fit.

The container plant needs to be watered the day before planting. It is recommended to purchase dug seedlings with a fairly large lump of soil. In this case, the root system must be protected from drying out with a film or burlap. These plants need to be planted as soon as possible. It is not recommended to buy Korean cedars with open roots.

When planting plants to decorate a garden plot, it is recommended to place them at an interval of 4 meters from each other. To achieve a good harvest, the minimum interval is made in the size of 6-8 meters. If there is space, it is recommended to increase it to 10-12 meters.

Before planting Korean pine, the recess needs to be filled with a third of the fertile substrate and completely filled with water. After absorbing moisture, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Pour fertile soil on the bottom. It is important to do this in such a way that the root neck is placed with the edges of the pit at the same level.
2. Install the seedling in the central part.
3. Gradually fill the planting hole with fertile substrate and compact it well.
4. Check and, if necessary, correct the location of the root collar.
5. Water the plant generously.
6. Cover the trunk circle with a mulch layer. It may consist of acid peat or coniferous litter.

Irrigation

In the first 10 years of life, Korean cedar is very important to water properly. Subsequently, the intervals between soil moistening are increasing more and more. In dry weather, the tree is recommended to be watered literally several times during the season. Young plants are irrigated when the soil dries up in the near-stem circle.

Cutting

Korean cedar can be left uncut. This plant does not need crown formation. To keep the tree he althy, it is enough to get rid of dry branches in early spring or autumn.

Pest control

This plant often suffers from the development of diseases and pest attacks. This happens mostly in 30-40 years. Therefore, the culture needs to be fully looked after. Artificial plantations of Korean cedar often suffer from polluted air and the development of chlorosis.

Resin cancer is considered the most dangerous plant disease. It is also often referred to as blister rust or seryanka.

Of the pests of Korean pine, the following parasites are most often affected:

• pine moth;
• pine scale;
• hermes;
• pine silkworm;
• pine scoop.

When attacked by parasites, trees are recommended to be treated with insecticidal preparations. Fungicides are used to eliminate diseases.

Application of wood

Korean cedar is most valued as a source of very he althy fruits. In terms of fat content, the nuts of this plant are superior to walnuts, almonds, and hazel. They contain many B vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on the condition of the human body and improve the appearance of the skin. Nuts also include a large amount of vitamin E. This substance perfectly strengthens the nervous system.

Nut kernels are 65% oil. This is a tasty and he althy product. Pine nut oil has a beautiful golden amber hue and can be stored for years. The benefits of this product include a delicate aroma, excellent nutritional properties and pleasant taste.

The oil yield reaches 20% of the nut mass with the shell. However, in the factory way, it is possible to obtain no more than 14-15%. Shelled nut cake is often used as animal feed. Delicious and he althy nut milk is obtained from pure sound cake. In addition to oil, the kernels contain 20% proteins and more than 10% starch. Pine nuts are consumed raw. They are also used to make cookies, candy fillings, and halva.

Cedar pines are very useful for forest fauna. They serve as a food source for bears, squirrels, chipmunks and many other animals and birds.

Korean cedar is a fairly common crop that is a source of valuable nuts. Also, the plant can be used to decorate garden plots. In order for a tree to maintain an attractive appearance and give a rich harvest, it needs to be properly looked after.

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