Siberian cedar: description and photo, properties and application, how to grow
Siberian cedar is an evergreen coniferous plant. If you follow the botanical description, it is more considered a Siberian pine. The point is that culture has nothing to do with cedars. This culture brings very valuable fruits that contain many useful components. Because nuts and oil from them are often used in folk medicine.
Description of the plant
Biologists believe that the Siberian cedar belongs to the genus Pine. An adult tree can reach a height of 44 meters. However, the average height is usually a maximum of 35 meters.Old trees have a girth of the trunk up to 2 meters. At the same time, the life expectancy of such crops can be more than 500 years.
Siberian cedar is characterized by dark green needles, which reach a length of 14 centimeters. The needles form bundles, each of which contains 5 needles. The plant has fairly short roots. They consist of taproots that actively branch.
Such plants are found not only in Siberia. Cedars can be seen in Altai and the Urals, in Mongolia, in the northern regions of China. Large artificial plantations of cedars are found in several regions of the Russian Federation - Vologda, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Arkhangelsk. Flowering culture occurs in mid-summer. Collecting cones is required in August and early September. Seeds can be stored for a maximum of 5-6 months. A longer storage period may lead to poisoning.
Siberian cedar is distinguished by a dense crown, which resembles a sharp cone in shape.As the tree grows, it becomes wider. The smooth bark initially has a gray color, and subsequently becomes gray-brown and covered with furrows. Young branches reach a thickness of 6-7 millimeters. They are light brown in color and covered with thick red hairs. There is no resin in the composition of the buds of the tree. They are 0.6-1 cm long.
Cedar needles can stay on branches for 2-3 years. Upright cones are distinguished by an ovoid or elongated shape. Fruiting of cedars begins in the second year after flowering. After maturation, the cone reaches 0.06-0.13 meters. It is distinguished by tightly pressed scales with thickened shields. A cone can contain from 30 to 150 seeds.
Cedar seeds are large and brown in color. They don't have wings. After the formation of seeds is completed, they darken. In this case, the cones decrease in size. Peak fruiting occurs in August. In good conditions, a large cedar will produce 1000-1500 buds.
Under natural conditions, Siberian cedars form a dark coniferous taiga. In the center of Altai, a tree can grow at a height of up to 2 kilometers. At the same time, in the southern regions it rises by 2.4 kilometers. To the west of the Urals, Siberian cedars are combined with spruces, larches and Siberian firs.
Useful properties of nuts
Cedar is one of the most valuable wood species. Its kernels contain a lot of fats and vitamins. They can be used in the food industry and medicine. The valuable properties of nuts are associated with their rich composition. They include oil, nitrogen compounds, amino acids, iodine.
Also, cedar nuts contain fructose, sucrose, starch, fiber. They contain vitamins of group B, A, E. In addition, the product includes tannins, flavonoids, catechins. The shell contains tannins, lingin, fats, resins, cellulose. It also includes micro and macro elements.
Cedar kernels help improve memory. With their help, it is possible to increase resistance to disease, strengthen the heart and blood vessels, and improve the functioning of the nervous system. The seed shell can be used as a mulching material.
Healing properties of oil
Pine nuts are used to make butter. It is a thick amber liquid, which has a pronounced nutty aroma. This substance can be a full-fledged analogue of olive oil. To keep the product less in contact with air, it is recommended to keep it in a glass container with a narrow neck. This must be done in a dark and cool place.
Natural antioxidants, which are present in the composition of cedar oil, help to maintain the freshness of the product for a long time. Over time, sediment appears at the bottom of the container, but it does not pose a danger to people. This substance contains trace elements and phospholipids.
Cedarwood oil helps control cholesterol parameters. It helps to get rid of excess weight. This effect can be achieved due to the presence of terpenes in the composition.
How to grow cedar
Siberian cedar can be grown in the garden. This plant needs a lot of potassium. At the same time, it is not recommended to introduce nitrogen into the soil, since it has a bad effect on the development of the root system. Young cedars should be weeded from weeds in time.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionCedar is recommended to be planted in a free place - away from fir trees. It goes well with birches, but a certain interval is required between them. Before planting a cedar, it is important to mark the territory in advance. In order for the trees to develop normally, it is required to maintain an interval of 9 meters in size.It is required to propagate cedars with seedlings. In this case, it is best to plant plants that are grown in containers. They have solid roots.At the same time, the seedlings adapt well and grow quickly. When transplanting, the roots must be straightened and carefully moved into the recess. It is important to ensure that they do not wrap or bend. Sand should be added to heavy soil. At the same time, you can’t make bedding, because parasites can start in it.
Siberian cedar requires soil mulching. This helps to achieve ventilation and saturate the soil with oxygen. Mulch helps protect the plant from freezing in winter and retains moisture. It needs to be added annually to increase the size of the adventitious roots.
It is worth considering that the Siberian cedar is considered a very moisture-loving crop. In hot weather, the plant should be watered regularly. In this case, it is important to focus on the drying of the soil clod. In autumn, the cedar prepares for a dormant period. Therefore, it needs to be watered less often. In winter, it is almost not necessary to moisten container crops.
Possible diseases and pests
Adult cedar has strong immunity, which makes it immune to diseases and pests. In this case, young trees can suffer from diseases and parasites. Pathology can be detected by yellowing needles, spots and ulcerative defects on the cedar trunk.
Siberian cedar can suffer from seryanka or resin cancer. This disease manifests itself in the form of yellowing of the crown and the formation of tarry ulcers on the trunk. As a result, growth processes stop, photosynthesis is disturbed, the tree weakens and is attacked by pests. In advanced cases, it can be difficult to cope, because the culture has to be cut down.
To exclude such a situation, preventive examinations are required. They will help to identify the disease at an early stage. It is possible to eliminate the first symptoms of pathology with the help of such means as Vectra, Bayleton, Fitosporin.
Also, Siberian cedar can suffer from needle rust.This pathology is accompanied by the formation of small bubbles between the needles. Over time, they swell and break. From there, fine red pollen spills out. Rust leads to a weakening of the strength of the cedar and negatively affects its decorative properties. To eliminate the pathology will help such means as "Strobi" , "Topaz" , "Hom" .
Parasites that want to eat the juices of cedar are attracted by the smell of its needles. The most dangerous pests include pine aphids, hermes, scale insects. Bark beetles, silkworms, moths also pose a threat. Some of the parasites can lead to the destruction of seedlings in just a matter of weeks. That is why it is so important to avoid the spread of parasites on the tree.
To prevent infection, it is required to constantly inspect young cedar needles for eggs and other unusual changes. If parasites and their larvae are detected, insecticidal preparations should be used immediately.The most effective means from this category include Fufanon, Fitoverm, Iskra. Actellik and Aktara are considered no less effective drugs.
To prevent pest infestation of trees, it is important to keep the area around the tree clean. In this case, it is required to get rid of dry grass and fallen leaves in a timely manner. Before the arrival of winter, it is recommended to dig up the near-stem circle of the cedar, since pest larvae often hibernate in the roots, which can infect the crop the next year.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionIn the spring, after the snow melts, it is worth watering the trunk circle with a boiling solution of potassium permanganate. This drug helps to get rid of pest larvae and fungal spores. Boiling water will not harm the cedar roots. As it passes through the cool ground, the liquid cools down to a comfortable temperature.Use in traditional medicine
In folk medicine, cedar resin is often used. It is a resin of the Siberian cedar. This tool contains a lot of phytoncides, which allows it to be used for wound healing. During the war years, this substance even stopped the development of gangrene. The resin is 70% rosin. It also includes 30% turpentine. In addition, turpentine balm is made from the substance.
Sap is used to treat the following pathologies:
- wounds and other dermatological lesions;
- oral diseases;
- respiratory pathologies;
- certain types of cancer;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- heart failure;
- pathologies of the nervous and endocrine systems;
- diseases of the digestive system.
Treatment depends on the type of problem:
- Wounds - in this case, it is recommended to apply resin to the problem area. You can also pour resin into damaged skin.
- Fractures - rubbing the diseased area helps accelerate bone healing.
- Ulcerative defects, burns and boils - in this case, the softened resin should be combined with neutral oil or petroleum jelly. In the resulting product, you need to soak a tampon and attach it to the problem area.
- Herpes - at the initial stage of infection, resin must be mixed in equal parts with any vegetable oil. In the resulting product, it is necessary to soak a swab and apply to the problem area for 20 minutes. The procedure should be done every 4 hours.
- Toothache - just put a piece of resin on the aching tooth.
- Erectile dysfunction - in this case, you need to take 1 small spoonful of resin and mix with 500 milliliters of vodka.Leave the composition for 5 days in a dark and cold place. It needs to be shaken every day. The finished product is recommended to take 3 large spoons with meals. This must be done twice a day.
In addition to resin, in folk medicine you can use pine needles, oil, nutshells. Needles help with scurvy. At the same time, nutshell tincture effectively eliminates deafness, kidney and liver failure, nervous disorders, and hemorrhoids. The decoction helps to cope with excess hair.
Siberian cedar oil contains a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is recommended to use 20 milliliters every day. The product helps to get rid of excess weight, normalizes blood pressure and restores the lipid composition of the blood.
Crushed nuts help reduce the secretion of gastric juice and reduce its acidity parameters. To meet the daily requirement for vitamin E, it is recommended to eat 100 grams of nuts. They also have a preventive effect in case of heart failure.
Pine aroma favorably affects the functioning of the respiratory system. People have been using this unique feature of the plant since ancient times.
Siberian cedar is an evergreen coniferous plant that can be grown on your site. This culture has many useful properties. Therefore, it is often used in traditional medicine to combat a variety of pathologies.
