What grows faster spruce or pine: the best species, their features and how to care
Coniferous plants are considered all-season, and therefore they are often used to decorate garden plots. However, for the right choice of culture, it is important to take into account many nuances. One of them is the growth rate of the plant. To achieve quick results, you need to understand what exactly grows faster - spruce or pine. There are also many other conifers that can quickly decorate the site.
Types of fast growing conifers
Ephedra are often used in landscape design. This is due to the evergreen crown, resistance to frost and temperature fluctuations, ease of care. In addition, there are many varieties that are able to give good growth during the first year of life.
Fast-growing trees and shrubs are called, which actively increase their mass in the first years of life, after which they slow down in development. In other plants, the stage of active growth occurs in the middle of life. Seedlings of many deciduous trees increase by a maximum of a few centimeters per year. At the same time, their active growth begins only after 4-5 years.
If there is a need for a quick hedge or garden design, you should pay attention to fast-growing coniferous plants. They protect the site from dust, noise and wind. In addition, the needles produce phytoncides, which have a good effect on the immune system and have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system.
Fir
Balsam fir is considered a prominent representative of fast-growing conifers. With adequate care, the annual crop growth is 20-30 centimeters. The tree has a lush dark green crown and is able to retain its decorative effect all its life.The culture is characterized by resistance to frost, easily withstands shade and adapts to any type of soil.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionAn equally successful solution for planting on the site will be a single-color fir. It is distinguished by soft, non-thorny needles, which has a bluish-green color. The plant is characterized by a dense and wide crown of a pyramidal shape. The tree does not shed its needles for the winter. In addition, its color does not change. For 1 year, the plant increases by 30-50 centimeters. The culture develops best in well-moistened soil. It should be grown in well-lit areas. However, if necessary, the plant is able to withstand not too favorable conditions.A little-known variety is considered Douglas Menzies or Douglas fir. It belongs to the genus of pseudo-hemlock. The tree can reach a height of 100 meters. It is characterized by a cone-shaped crown and horizontally arranged shoots.During the year, the plant increases by 30-40 centimeters. Culture is considered undemanding to care. The only disadvantage of the plant is considered to be low frost resistance.
Cedar
The Himalayan cedar has the fastest growth in the garden. Under natural conditions, this crop grows mainly in mountainous areas, because it can easily adapt to different types of soil. Cedar easily withstands frost and is characterized by undemanding care. It has longer needles than other species. The needles are distinguished by a light green color with a bluish tinge. In 1 year, the tree grows by 30 centimeters. An adult tree can reach 50 meters. It can be used to decorate large areas and parks.
Juniper
This is a bright representative of fast-growing conifers. The shrub not only has pronounced decorative characteristics, but also has excellent medicinal properties.This culture helps to purify the air around them. At the same time, its needles can be used to prepare medicinal baths and decoctions. The tree is easy to care for and can withstand low temperatures and wind well.
For quick landscaping of the garden, experts advise using horizontal juniper. The shrub reaches a height of 30 centimeters, and a width of 3 meters. This should be taken into account when designing a composition or rockery. During the year, the plant increases by 15-20 centimeters.
Another popular plant among gardeners is the Cossack juniper. The bush increases in height by 60 centimeters. Moreover, its width exceeds 5 meters. The plant is characterized by rapid growth. However, for this it is important to moisten the soil around the tree in a timely manner.
Under natural conditions, the shrub is found on the Black Sea coast and in forest areas. At the same time, he is able to form impenetrable thickets. Therefore, when growing in the garden, it is important to prune the plant on time.
Juniper virginiana
This is one of the most slender conifers. Its branches are directed upwards. An adult tree can reach a height of 5 meters. However, even in this case, it remains slender. Due to this, the plant becomes an excellent addition to a small area. This species of conifers is characterized by a gray-blue color.
Larch
The downside of this plant is its size. An adult larch is distinguished by its gigantic size, which reaches 25 meters. This culture is growing quite fast. By the age of 10, it reaches a height of 5 meters. The plant is best used for decorating parks and large areas. At a young age, the culture looks quite slender and has a conical shape. The plant has soft needles. As it matures, the tree's appearance deteriorates as it loses its lower branches.
Metasequoia
This culture has an interesting history. Until the twentieth century, it was known only from the results of excavations. In 1941, on the territory of one of the Chinese temples, several copies of this oldest representative of the family were found. From that moment began his new story.
Metasequoia is fast growing. By the age of 50, the tree grows to 20 meters. However, this is not the maximum size. The crown of the tree resembles a narrow cone. At a young age, metasequoia can become an ornament to a small garden. However, it is important for summer residents to consider the full dimensions of the tree. This tree is considered deciduous. With the advent of autumn, its needles acquire a golden color.
Spruce
When designing a site, it is worth remembering an ordinary Christmas tree. The fast-growing conifers include the Serbian variety, which increases by 30-50 centimeters every year. The tree is distinguished by a narrow conical shape, dark green needles and openwork shoots.The lower part of the crown is complemented by white stripes. Due to this, it seems that the tree is characterized by a bluish-green color. Brown-violet cones give additional decorativeness to the plant. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain a sophisticated and original composition.
Features of fast-growing thuja
Like pines, fast-growing types of thuja are unpretentious conifers that are highly decorative. Therefore, they are often chosen to decorate a summer residence. Such plants are distinguished by dense needles. Therefore, they are often used to create hedges. These compositions are characterized by pronounced decorative properties, but also protect the site from wind, dust, air pollution. Also, fast-growing thujas are often used to divide the site into zones.
It is permissible to use the Brabant variety for decorating a dacha. This plant is highly decorative.It is characterized by a wide columnar crown. The height of the tree reaches 4-5 meters. At the same time, its width is 1-1.5 meters. The plant develops well both in well-lit areas and in the shade.
The advantage of this type of arborvitae is undemanding to the composition of the soil. In addition, the plant is distinguished by its general unpretentiousness in care. The tree easily withstands shaping and pruning. However, even without these procedures, the plant looks very decorative.
At the same time, the thuja of this variety also has some disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is the change in the color of the needles in the cold season. It acquires a brown or dark red hue. In addition, this tree is often subject to spring burns.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionIf we consider the growth rate, this type of thuja increases by 30-35 centimeters in height and 10-15 centimeters in width in 1 year.Despite the fact that the plant does not need special care, with a lack of nutrients and moisture, its crown becomes pale. In addition, there is a risk of slowing down the growth of the culture.Another common representative of fast-growing thuja is the Smaragd variety. This plant has the same dimensions as Brabant. However, it is characterized by a conical shape. In addition, the needles of the culture always remain green. In addition, the variety rarely encounters spring burns.
Thuya variety Smaragd is perfect for creating hedges. It can also be used for single landings or made the basis of a large composition. Smaragd is characterized by slower growth than Brabant. At the same time, he needs less pruning.
If you want to plant a taller tree, you should give preference to the Columna variety. This culture has a cylindrical shape. The plant reaches 6-7 meters in height, and 1-1.3 in width. The shade of the crown does not depend on the season.At the same time, in 1 year the culture increases by 15-20 centimeters.
If you want to decorate the site with a more compact tree, the Holmstrup variety will do. Its height reaches 2.5-3 meters. A distinctive feature of this culture is curly needles, which seem to be corrugated. In addition, the plant is characterized by undemanding care and remains green throughout the year. The development of the plant is considered not too intense. In addition, it rarely needs pruning - no more than 1 time during the season.
How to care for conifers
Evergreens do not need specific care. Young seedlings may suffer from spring burns, while adult conifers are more viable.
For the full development of such crops, the following is required:
- Soil without stagnant moisture. When planting conifers, it is important to take care of high-quality drainage. In this case, plants should not be placed in marshy areas. They will more easily withstand the absence of moisture than its excess.
- Protection of young seedlings from the active sun. It is required from February to April. At this time, it is best to use special covering materials - in particular, lutrasil. In April, it can be gradually removed. It is not recommended to open the plant completely. He needs time to adapt to the sun. At first, the covering material is removed in the afternoon, but the duration of solar procedures is gradually increased.
- Protection from excess snow. Coniferous plants often suffer from this. Therefore, after heavy snowfalls, it is advisable to remove snow from the branches. If this is not done, he can break a tree or shrub with his weight. For prevention, you can protect the conifer from snow or tie it to give the plant a more compact size.
- The right choice of location. Many conifers do not tolerate strong shade. Therefore, before choosing a place for planting, it is important to study the description of the variety.
- Fertilization. To get a lush and he althy crown, fertilizer is required. However, it is recommended not to do this too often. The optimal frequency is 2 times during the season. For the first time, top dressing should be done in the spring - at the stage of the beginning of active development.
To maximize the attractiveness of conifers, it is important to take care of their combination with other crops. In large gardens, you can create a composition of different pines and spruces. As an accent, it is permissible to use cedar or larch. In a small area, it is recommended to place an ensemble of different types of junipers.
Coniferous trees and shrubs are considered very popular. They are often used in landscape design. At the same time, for planting on the site, it is important to choose the right type of conifer and variety. To do this, it is necessary to take into account the growth rate of the culture. In order to green up the site in a short time, you should give preference to fast-growing varieties.
