Ayan spruce: description of species, area, care of an evergreen tree

The Ayan spruce is a typical representative of coniferous species of taiga Far Eastern forests. It is characterized by a pale underbrush and a special veil of grass that is poorly developed. It can be safely asserted that the Ayan spruce is one of the ancient rocks of the plant world of Primorye, because the species closest to it existed back in the Middle Tertiary period. The trees of the Ayan spruce live about 500 years.

The appearance of the tree

In its appearance, this coniferous plant is similar to Sith and ordinary spruce. The difference between this evergreen tree and ordinary spruce is the size of shoots and cones, which are smaller than in other species. This difference is difficult to see on the photo of firs, so it is often confused with spruce common.

The maximum height of the tree is about fifty meters. As a rule, the higher in the mountains, the lower the crown, and the trunk is thinner. The tree has a crown in the form of a regular cone with a pointed vertex. The bark of young firs is smooth and has a dark gray color. Over the years, the Ayan spruce acquires a layered crust. Needles of this species are flat, and its color from the bottom is bright-gray, and to the top is dark green. Needles have a length of about two centimeters. Cones give a glossy sheen, and their length is about seven centimeters. Seeds in spruce are of small size, for this reason the tree has one more common name - spruce fir.

The spruce area of the Ayanskaya

The Ayan spruce grows in the north, but does not reach the northern border, where Siberian spruce is common . The basins of the rivers Aldoma and Lantar, which flow into the Sea of Okhotsk, are the most extreme regions where this evergreen tree meets.

In the regions to the south, the finely seeded spruce can be found on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, namely near the basins of nearby rivers.

In the west, this species spruce grows in separate areas that reach the Stanovoi Range and the Tukuringra Mountains in the southeast of Yakutia.

The Ayan spruce grows also on Kamchatka, namely at the valley of the river of the same name. This species grows on such islands as Sakhalin, Shantra and Kuril. On the first island the species meets with 48 ° N latitude, where the Ayan spruce is the main coniferous species. Here it grows with local fir and fir Myra, with the latter she shares the dominant position.

Peculiarities of the growth of small-seed fir

Slopes of mountains and plateaus are the main locations where small-seeded spruce grows. In the coastal areas, it occurs above 700 meters above sea level, and in the north it is above 400 meters. In the latter case, a coniferous tree is found in areas with moist air and with a cool and rainy summer. That is why the trees of this species to the south are in most cases low and depressed.

On the mountain belts and in river valleys, the Ayan spruce is much less common than in the above-mentioned places.

This species does not grow near the occurrence of permafrost and in places with stagnant moistening. In marshy areas, trees grow stunted and short. In places with a dense shadow, the tree develops well and successfully performs self-seeding.

Young adolescents appear most often in places with half-rotten stumps, trees and other forest humus. But in an open area with loamy soil, young trees often die from spring late frosts.

This conifer is demanding on the soil. It grows most often on moderately moist loam. It perishes on sandy and peaty soils. Sometimes it grows on the soil with stones and rubble. Poorly tolerates transplants, pruning branches and polluted air. The Aayan fir, the description of which we consider in this article, is well adapted to the cool short summer period.

Application of ayan fir

Fine fir is an important forest-forming species of the Far Eastern forests. Its wood is used in the same way as the wood of European spruce, but the mechanical properties of the Ayan spruce are somewhat worse. In particular, wood is used for pulp and paper production.

The best characteristics are trees that grow on the gentle slopes of the mountains. Reserves are created to protect the Ayan spruce growing in accessible areas.

Ayan spruce is most often used for ornamental purposes, thanks to its bluish shade of needles. Especially it is popular in forest park areas. Perfectly looks against the background of other dark coniferous or hardwood species. This contrast among the tree species is evident in the photo of the fir trees below.

The special beauty of the evergreen tree is attached to its cones, which have a light-brown color and an oval-shaped cylindrical shape.

Caring for the Spruce

If you want to plant Ayan spruce you need to remember the following:

• The place where the planting of spruce is planned, can be shady. The tree does not like swampy soils, it is better to choose moderately moist loams.
• During transplantation, spruce for a long time is restored and sick.
• Drainage can be made from broken bricks, the layer of which should be about 20 centimeters.
• The tree must be planted at a depth of 50-75 centimeters.
• "Fodder" spruce can be, using fertilizer nitroammophoska.
• The drought should be watered at least once a week.
• Loosening is carried out to a depth of about 6 centimeters.
• Young plants need to be covered with lapnik for the winter period.
• A tree can have various pests and diseases. For example, rust of cones and ulcerous cancer.

It is difficult to take care of the Ayan fir tree. But many gardeners successfully cope with this, most importantly - more attention and diligence.