Elm thigh: description of the plant

Elm squat in economic and garden plantings was most widespread in comparison with other types of trees from the same genus. Possessing absolute unpretentiousness, it simultaneously became a valuable breed in protective afforestation and weed, along with the American maple, which drowns out more valuable plantings.

About the title

In the people very often you can meet the word "karagach", which means not only an elm squat. The name is more collective and in translation from Turkic it literally means "bark" and "black". Under it often mean several types of elms, including small-leaved ones.

Range of growth

The natural area of growth of the squat elm is mainly China, more precisely, the north-west and northeast of the country. In addition, the tree can be found in Western Siberia, Mongolia, India, Korea, Tibet. Cultivated in the Americas as a regenerator of forests and in the landscape of the garden. The tree is undemanding to the conditions of growth, but prefers fertile soils. It occurs in broadleaf and mixed forests.

Elm squat: description

The tree is tall and reaches 25 m in natural conditions with a trunk diameter of about 1 m. In arid climates, the natural habitat of growth grows into a shrub form. Despite the popular name of the karagach, the bark of the tree is not black, but has a gray-brown or rich gray shade, smooth, possibly cracking. Young shoots differ in color from adults. They have a light gray shade with yellowness, the surface rough or smooth, with scattered lenticels.

The elm has a characteristic oval or lancet-elliptical shape, leaves that reach 2 to 8 cm in length and 1.2 to 3.5 cm in width. The base of the plate is symmetrical with a pointed vertex and jagged edges. The color of the leaf varies during the seasons, in the spring it is light green, in the summer - more saturated, in the autumn the tree acquires an olive-yellow shade (in the photo below, the elm tree alley in September-October). Fruit - almost rounded lobster, growing in diameter to 1-1.5 cm, with a nut in the middle.

Growth conditions

Elm, squat, the photo of which you see in the article, is not distinguished by a high life expectancy - only 40-60 years. However, during this time it reaches an impressive size. The growth rate of the tree is high and not inferior to the white acacia or the maple tree. In culture, the elm is unpretentious and imposes minimal demands on the fertility of the soil, as well as the moisture content in it. It tolerates even salinization, is highly resistant to drought, wintering (up to -36 ° C). The only thing to consider is the tree is light-loving, it tolerates penumbra, but it develops worse.

In culture elm squat introduced since 1860. Used for landscaping parks and squares. It is especially appreciated in the arid regions of the country. Forms a powerful root system of surface type. Well tolerates gassy urban air, haircut and pruning. The latter features are used to create hedges. Propagated only by seeds, does not form root offspring and, consequently, thickets, which is an undoubted plus. Has a decorative weeping shape with falling branches. The most beautiful tree in the period of fruiting.

The elm is squat: how to use it in the garden?

Elm is a very beautiful tree with long shoots and large jagged leaves, especially effectively it looks like autumn, when it is full of fruits. In ornamental gardening the plant has been used for a long time. Choosing it for planting on your site, it should be remembered that the tree is photophilous and only in the sun its beauty is fully revealed.

The crown is well pruned and pruned. However, this should not be hurried. In the first years of cultivation, it is necessary to remove only damaged and dry twigs. Forming pruning is possible from about 4 years of growth, but do not forget about the use of garden gum. In general, the tree is resistant to diseases and pests.

The elm is squat, the height of which reaches 25 m, is very good in group, monopods and mixed, in the form of avenues in parks and as a tapeworm. Solitary specimens surrounded by even green lawns are very effective, especially if you use a hybrid with a weeping crown shape. Only when the tree does not interfere, it can unfold in full glory. His crown in such conditions will be the correct form, and the trunk - straight and strong. Solitary planting is used as an accent on the site, since it always attracts the eye. However, one should remember about the proportionality of the plant and the area of the territory. The large plot is a large tree and vice versa, otherwise all charm will be lost.

The use of an elm for brosso

One of the unusual uses of elm is the creation of beautiful bersos. Covered galleries are created from the beams installed on the support along garden paths or alleys. On the sides are planted trees, the branches of which are gently bent and fixed to the frame. Gradually expanding, they form a single continuous green tunnel, as in the photo. Given the high speed elm decorative effect can be achieved quickly enough.

According to the idea and mind, berso is often compared with a pergola. However, the latter can be safely called the younger sister first. Berso, although very similar, but still more large and massive, longer, and the green cover is thicker. Pergola is more purely decorative and easy to perceive, suitable for small areas and courtyards. Berso - the prerogative of large gardens and parks, at the beginning and end of this stunning tunnel are often installed gazebos.

Forest restoration

It has already been mentioned above that elm squat is actively used to restore forests in areas that have been fires or logged. The main method is still considered the manual planting of seedlings using the sword Kolesov. An interesting device is, in fact, a narrow shovel made of steel. Invented, she was the director of the agricultural school of Kharkov, Kolesov AA in 1883 for planting on sandstone pine.

The use of elm in such measures is due to several factors. Firstly, the tree is characterized by a high growth rate, and in the first years young seedlings give an increase of up to one meter in the presence of favorable conditions. Secondly, the species quickly forms thickets, multiplying by self-seeding. Thirdly, the tree is undemanding to the soil, drought-resistant, patiently to severe frost and salinity. Thus, elm can grow almost everywhere.