Prickly spruce: description and characteristics, planting and caring for a tree, its average height

Prickly spruce is considered one of the most famous crops among many conifers. It is distinguished by a high degree of resistance to the influence of adverse factors and has a dense wax layer on the needles. This plant stands out for its excellent decorative properties, which allows it to be used as an element of landscape design. To grow a crop successfully, it is important to adhere to the basic rules.

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Prickly spruce is a very beautiful tree that is distinguished by its conical crown and blue or silver needles. This plant reaches a height of 30-50 meters. In this case, the trunk diameter can be 2 meters, and the crown size can reach 12.

The main trunk is covered with very thin brownish-gray bark. In mature trees, it is characterized by a scaly structure. The crown has excellent decorative properties and resembles a symmetrical pyramid, which is tightly covered with branches. In adult plants, the lowest branches fall slightly.

Young stems are considered large and powerful. Most often they are naked. In this case, the shades are different and vary from light brown to dark orange. The kidneys are cone-shaped or cylindrical.

The needles are characterized by a dense structure and are slightly prickly. It is located in different directions in a circle from the escape. In the upper part, the stems are slightly closer to the main shoot and are slightly bent.

Initially, prickly spruce, like ordinary spruce, has a rich green color. However, the dense wax layer on the surface of the needles gives them a light shade.

This crop needs to be grown in a sunny area. This plant is slow growing. At the same time, its root system needs to be limited or planted in a place where it will not interfere with other plants.

Spruce properties

This is a spectacular tree 30-50 meters high. It is often used in landscape design. At the same time, not everyone knows that culture has a number of useful properties. The main characteristic of the plant is considered to be its bactericidal properties.

Spruce contains terpenes, or essential oils. They are broad-spectrum phytoncides. These biologically active components are characterized by pronounced volatile properties. Therefore, they are constantly released into the environment. As the temperature increases, the amount of essential oils released increases. In the heat, a pronounced coniferous smell is felt near the spruce.

Phytoncides suppress pathogenic bacteria, fungi that provoke decay, and some types of protozoa. By inhaling the aroma of pine needles, a person can get rid of pathogenic microorganisms and strengthen the immune system.

In addition, spruce has a positive effect on the condition of plants that are nearby. It benefits pets. In winter, farmers prepare vitamin feed supplements from chopped pine needles.

Varieties

The gray spruce is considered the most attractive. It is also called blue or silver. In addition, the popular varieties of prickly spruce Picea pungens include the following:

1. Oldenburg - has a dense cone-shaped crown. By the age of 20, the culture grows up to 5 meters. This tree is slow growing. The needles are quite thick and prickly. She is distinguished by a silver-blue color and a bluish bloom.
2. Fat Albert is a plant with a dense, wide-pyramidal crown. The culture reaches a height of 10-15 meters. The needles are considered quite prickly and are distinguished by a silver-blue color.
3. Hupsi - this tree reaches a height of 12-15 meters. In this case, the crown in diameter reaches 3-4.5 meters. It has a conical shape and sufficient density. This culture grows quite slowly. To give it a clear shape, shaping pruning is carried out. The needles have a silver-blue color and large sizes.
4. Izeli Fastigiata - this plant has a compact, narrow-conical crown. Its height reaches 5-8 meters. The shoots are strong enough and are densely arranged. Annual growth reaches 15 centimeters.

Fit features

This culture is considered to be very photophilous. In the shade, it becomes loose and loses the saturation of the hue. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a lighted area for landing.

Prickly spruce has a deep root system. Due to this, it is resistant to drought. Also, the plant is characterized by resistance to drafts and is considered not too demanding on the composition of the soil.

However, when grown in poor soil, there is a risk of reducing the decorative properties of the tree. Prickly spruce is recommended to be planted in moist podzolic soil, which has a moderate water balance.

The tree does not tolerate too fertile or too wet soil. At the same time, it easily withstands the influence of negative factors - dust, smoke, smog. Also, the plant easily tolerates pruning.

Planting of prickly spruce is carried out in spring or autumn. In the first case, the procedure is performed at the end of April, in the second - in the first half of September. This tree grows well in sandy and loamy soil.

However, it does not withstand the neighborhood with other cultures. The wide branches of the plant form a dense shadow that prevents the development of other crops. When group planting, the interval between plants is at least 2-3 meters.

The size of the landing recess is 50-70 centimeters. Since the tree does not tolerate the effects of groundwater, it needs to provide a drainage layer of crushed brick and sand. The size of the drainage is 15-20 centimeters.

After this, the recess needs to be sprinkled with a soil substrate consisting of leafy soil, sand, turf and peat. These components are mixed in a ratio of 2:2:1:1.

When planting a crop, it is important to ensure that the root collar is at ground level. When planting a seedling, it is recommended to make a deepening, water it and cover it with a mulch layer of peat 5-7 millimeters thick.

Care

The plant is considered to be very sensitive to watering. Trees aged 1 year are recommended to be watered 5-6 times a day in small portions. Since spruce has a shallow root system, it will not be able to absorb much moisture.

Culture practically does not need top dressing. Moreover, an excess amount of nutrients leads to lignification of lateral branches. As a result, the tree begins to develop not up, but in breadth.

Application

Prickly spruce is often used in landscape design. The plant is resistant to weather conditions and is not particularly demanding on the composition of the soil. The culture can be used for single plantings or planted in small groups. It looks especially impressive with Serbian spruce and single-color fir.

Prickly spruce is a common crop that looks good in any suburban area. This plant is considered undemanding to care and blends harmoniously with other plantings. Therefore, it is often used for decorative purposes.

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