Sherwood Compact Pine: variety description and application, planting and care rules

The Sherwood Compact mountain pine is a dwarf coniferous plant that is compact in size and has a cushion-shaped crown. This culture is characterized by a rather slow development and has bright green needles. The description of Sherwood Compact pine says that this conifer is considered undemanding to growing conditions. However, it needs sufficient lighting.

Botanical description

Sherwood Compact mountain pine is an evergreen dwarf shrub that has a dense, round, cushion-shaped crown.This variety was obtained by Canadian breeder Andy Sherwood in the fifties of the last century. Thanks to its unique properties, the culture remains relevant today.

When growing a crop, it is worth considering the positive qualities of the plant. These include the following:

• compact size for easy maintenance;
• undemanding to growing conditions;
• high frost resistance;
• minimum care requirements;
• strong immunity.

The key disadvantage of the plant is the need to prepare for the winter cold. However, this procedure is only needed for young crops that have not yet adapted to new conditions.

What a tree looks like

Pine Sherwood Compact reaches 50 centimeters by the age of 10. Moreover, its diameter can be 0.6 meters. The culture is distinguished by short and needle-shaped needles of a rich green color. It does not change even in the cold season.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionYoung plants are very slow growing. For 1 year they grow a maximum of 5-6 centimeters. An adult shrub does increase by only 2-5 centimeters per year. The plant is characterized by small cones that are egg-shaped and light brown in color.

Growth area

The distribution area of Sherwood Compact pine is considered to be Central and Southern Europe - primarily mountainous terrain. Also, the culture is found in the alpine and subalpine belt. It lives at an altitude of up to 2500 meters above sea level and is a tree-forming species. The culture is found in the foothills and is protected in reserves.

Mountain pine Sherwood Compact is considered not too demanding on the composition of the soil. In addition, the plant is able to withstand temperatures as low as -34 degrees.

How to plant

Before planting a pine tree, it is required to clear the area of weeds - first of all, perennial ones. Planting material should be bought in a special plastic container. Such a plant will take root much better. When choosing a seedling, you should give preference to a culture aged 3-5 years.

To plant a plant, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Choose a well-lit place, prepare a hole there, which is twice the size of the seedling, and a soil substrate.
2. Make drainage and sprinkle it with soil.
3. Carefully remove the seedling from the container with a clod of soil and place it in the recess. In this case, the root collar should be located above the ground.
4. Fill the plant with a fertile substrate and compact the soil well to avoid voids.
5. Form a near-stem circle and fill it with water.
6. Cover the area with a mulch layer 5-10 centimeters thick. Peat can be used for this.

The choice of soil is also important. It is recommended to plant a pine of this variety in a sandy or sandy loamy substrate. It is desirable that it has a slightly acidic reaction - pH 6-7. In heavy clay soil, the plant can also be planted. However, for this, it is recommended to pour a thick drainage layer at the bottom of the recess - its size should be about 10-20 centimeters. For this purpose, it is permissible to use crushed brick or expanded clay.

It is recommended to do the soil substrate with your own hands. To do this, you need to mix sod land, river sand and peat in a ratio of 3: 1: 1. You can also add 20-30 grams of complex top dressing to the composition.

Features of care

If all the features were taken into account when choosing a site for planting, caring for Sherwood Compact pine will be quite simple. However, some rules of agricultural technology still need to be followed.

watering

Young pine of this variety requires abundant watering at least twice a week. During spring planting and hot summer, the plant must be periodically moistened by light sprinkling. In late autumn, seedlings should be watered abundantly, as moist soil does not freeze as much. This helps to reduce the chance of needles burning in the spring.

A mature tree does not require regular watering, except in severe drought. The plant normally tolerates a lack of moisture, and falling needles help to retain it. After the final snowmelt, the pine must be freed from shelter and poured with warm water. This speeds up the awakening from hibernation.

Feeding

In the first 2-3 years after planting the plant in early spring or late autumn, it is recommended to feed the pine with mineral fertilizer or conifer composition. For 1 plant it is worth using 30-40 grams of the substance. Older pine trees will no longer need to be fed, since they will receive all the useful elements from coniferous litter.When planting a crop in a desert area, the seedling should be watered with Kornevin, and after a month, fertilize the conifers.

Loosening the soil

Culture must be periodically loosened. It is especially important to do this during the first 1-2 years after planting. This contributes to the saturation of the root system with useful substances, moisture and oxygen. Mulching with peat is enough for adult plants. This procedure helps retain moisture and prevents the development of weeds.

Cutting nuances

Shrub does not need special pruning. However, in order to slow down the growth of shoots and increase the density of the crown in spring, young shoots can be cut by a third. It is not necessary to use scissors for this purpose. Branches can be easily broken by hand.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionSherwood Compact Pine can also be shaped pruned to maintain its decorative effect. An equally important stage of care is a sanitary haircut. It needs to be done in the spring.

Preparing for cold weather

Young plants should be covered with spruce branches for the winter. This helps protect them from severe frosts and spring burns. In addition, burlap or special covers will help create a shadow. At the same time, it is not recommended to use thick material or polyethylene, as the seedlings may begin to rot. At an older age, pines can not be covered. At temperatures above 0 degrees, plants need to be watered abundantly.

Methods of reproduction

Pine of this variety can be propagated by seed or by grafting. The cuttings of this culture root very poorly, therefore it is not recommended to use this method. The fruiting of the plant begins at about 6 years of age. At the end of autumn, small cones up to 4 centimeters in size appear on the culture.This happens every 2 years.

It is worth propagating the culture with seeds in the spring. However, it is important to consider that when using this method, there is a risk of loss of plant varietal characteristics. Shrub maturation occurs only 2 years after pollination. Therefore, this method can be applied to crops that grow in natural conditions. In this case, the seeds must be collected and left to ripen. Only then can they be used for landing.

Vaccination is considered the preferred method. It involves building a young shoot on an adult pine. It is important to bear in mind that the procedure is very laborious and requires certain skills. Beginning gardeners will not be able to do this manipulation.

Pest Control

The plant has strong immunity, but if the rules of agricultural technology are violated, there is a risk of problems.Untreated shrubs are often attacked by spider mites, pine sawflies, scale insects, and leafworms. These insects infect young shrubs and cause significant damage to them.

To avoid problems, plants should be treated with insecticides twice a year. To prevent the development of diseases, it is worth using fungicidal preparations.

Landscape applications

The plant is well suited for single and group plantings. To balance the composition, mountain pine can be emphasized with two thin or vice versa powerful conifers. In addition, the Sherwood Compact variety is often used to decorate rockeries, alpine gardens, heather compositions. It can be placed on mountains and slopes. Also, the culture is great for growing in containers.

The Sherwood Compact Pine is a showy conifer that makes a great addition to any garden space.This culture is considered very unpretentious. However, to maintain its decorative effect, it is necessary to follow a number of rules of agricultural technology. Equally important is the protection of the plant from pathologies and pests.

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