Siberian Pine

Of all the species of these coniferous plants in the whole world, the most famous is the Siberian pine , which forms dense forests in the territory of Eastern Siberia. In the north they extend to the boundaries of the forest-tundra, and in the mountains they rise to a height of 2.5 thousand m. The Siberian pine is also widespread in some damp and cold places, such as Primorsky Range, Khamar-Daban, Sayany, Transbaikalia. In solitary plantations, it occurs in all forest zones of Siberia.

Siberian pine cedar is a tall evergreen tree with a dark gray bark and elongated crown. The crown is dull, cylindrical or ovate. Some of its specimens reach 45 m. There are trees with trunk diameter up to 1.5 m. Some old trees have several peaks. This species of pine can live up to 500 years. Some specimens reach a more respectable age. The branching of the Siberian pine is strictly whorled. Needles are located on twigs in bundles 8-12 cm long. Young twigs are fluffy, have a rusty hue. Needles of this tree live 3-6 years.

Pine Siberian is resistant to waterlogging, frost-proof, shade-tolerant. The plant prefers weakly acidic, neutral soils. The tree is propagated by seeds, grafting. Germination of seeds is preserved up to 2 years, and when in a sealed container - up to 15 years. Stratification of seeds is required for good germination . Most often use podzimnius sowing. Saplings require good water supply. Young animals are fed with special fertilizers in early spring.

On the tree there are anthers of red-violet hue (feminine) and seed cones, which at the time of flowering have a reddish hue. Mature cones reach 12 cm in length. They are ovoid-oval in shape. Each cone contains 120-130 seeds, called cedar nuts.

Siberian pine begins its fruition at about 30-40 years of age. This tree blooms in late May. Cones are ripe for 2 years. Seeds of Siberian pine mature in September. They are prepared only after full maturation. They get lumps with the help of special hammers made of wood, which they beat on the trunk, thus hammering off the prepared fruits. This way of harvesting pine nuts is very harmful for the trees themselves.

For medicinal purposes, often harvested pine needles of this tree. Usually this procedure is carried out on the cutting areas. Sprigs and bundles of needles are used fresh. Of these, essential oil is obtained and vitamin infusions are prepared, which are superior in quality to those of pine needles.

Fresh cedar nuts contain up to 35% of high-quality fatty oil, sugary substances, proteins, starch, fiber, vitamins. Nut shells are rich in tannins (up to 12%). Young twigs and needles contain about 1.5% of valuable essential oils, more than 800 mg of vitamin C. In the nuclei there are vitamins such as B1 - 0.65 mg, E - 10 mg.

In medicine, infusion of needles and young branches of cedar is prescribed for beriberi. From it, the gum is extracted, which is used in the production of turpentine, and cedar balm, used in optics. With its help glue the glass and improve their quality.

Siberian pine yields nuts that are eaten raw, roasted, from them extracted fatty oil, which has excellent taste qualities. This oil is used in perfumery, as a solvent for medicines, as well as for the production of high-quality paints. Often this oil is used in the canning industry instead of almond and olive oil. On nutritional qualities, these nuts and their oil cakes are superior to meat and milk. From cake of cedar nuts cook cakes, halva, cakes.

A wide use in the woodworking industry was also found in the wood of Siberian pine. It has a beautiful appearance and has a characteristic odor that repels the moth and other insects.