Iron tree: a variety of species

In different parts of the world there are their own tree species, which are called "iron".

In Russia there is a landmark, which is called the Schmidt birch. A powerful plant is widespread in Primorsky Krai, its wood is several times more powerful than cast iron (a pistol bullet flies from the birch trunk). The wood before the metal has several advantages: it does not rot, does not corrode, it does not even scare the acids. Also the breed is resistant to fire. However, the Schmidt birch is a very rare plant, it is listed in the Red Book and protected by law.

The tree received its name in honor of the Russian scientist FB Schmidt, who discovered the plant. On the planet this is the most durable birch, it lives up to 400 years.

The iron tree reaches a 25-meter height with a barrel diameter of 80 cm. Beige, gray-cream birch bark exfoliates and flakes, in young plants it is dark-cherry. The tree has short-leafed leaves that have an oval shape.

However, the plant is valued not only with wood. It has excellent medical properties. So, leaves, kidneys are used in the form of infusion or broth for the treatment of edema, dropsy, gout, urolithiasis, rheumatism. The plant can be used as a cholagogue for the treatment of acute and chronic forms of eczema, wounds, hair loss, acne.

An iron tree - the Schmidt birch can also be found in China, in the north of Korea, in Japan on the island of Honshu.

In the world there are other types of iron wood.

So their plants are in the African region. Argania prickly - an unknown for the Russian region, an iron tree is common in the valley of the Dra river, in the southwest of Morocco. The tree provides the life of the Moroccan Berbers. According to research of scientists, in the southwestern part of Morocco there are more than 2 million of these strong plants. But millions of years ago there were whole forests of iron trees that covered the expanses of Southern Europe and North Africa.

Moroccan tribes call the plant a tree of life, because thanks to it Berbers receive building materials, fuel, food for themselves and animal feed, medicines and oil. From the branches of Argania make skeletons for huts, the leaves go to feed livestock, receive fuel from the branches, furniture and other products are created from the trunks.

Argania prickly can reach 10-meter height, the circumference of the crown is 15 meters. The plant has long roots, which in search of moisture penetrate to the ground up to 30 meters deep. On the branches there are spines, which protect the branches of the tree from herbivorous animals.

Argania has very hard wood, the density of which is extremely high. Therefore, the tree quickly drowns in the water. The crust is thin and easily destroyed. The plant also has medicinal properties that allow treating many diseases.

Azerbaijan and Iran have their own iron tree - Temir-agach. The hardness of the plant exceeds iron. It is often used to create living fences, which, growing, become very strong. Through a thicket of such plants it is simply impossible to get through, since their trunk is not flexible.

In the northern Iranian and Transcaucasian forests Parrotia Persian grows, which is the most durable of iron trees. Its wood is used for making components for cars and art products.

Among the iron - include and Tiss. This plant not only has hard wood, but practically does not rot. Previously, nails were made of wood, it was used for the construction of underwater and underground structures.

In Brazil, the Amazonian iron tree grows, in tropical Africa - Azoba, there are also rosewood (rosewood), kumaru, ebony.