What to choose conifers. Coniferous forests of Russia

When choosing species and varieties conifers it is necessary to take into account how they will look, what sizes they will reach at the time of maturity, not forgetting, of course, about growth rates, color, and habitat requirements. It is important to compare all these characteristics with specific conditions, including the size of the garden area. Only in this way will we be able to compose compositions that are interesting in color, contour and spatial terms from coniferous plants.

Most of the coniferous trees and shrubs are photophilous plants. This means that for healthy growth and development, they need enough light, space and a place where they will not suffer from lack of air.

Yew trees are highly adaptable and develop well in partial shade and even full shade. Shading is tolerated by young fir, pseudo-hemlock, spruce, hemlock, cryptomeria, tissolist or Douglas fir, and from pine - Pinus flexilis, P. koraiensis and R. flight. For cypress trees, the optimal conditions are partial shade or a place not on the sunny side. Tui adapt relatively well. The rest of the species of conifers bred in our country prefer a place in the sun, and junipers do not tolerate shading at all.

As for soil conditions, the requirements for them in conifers are very different. The most unpretentious in this regard are larch, juniper, pine (with the exception of species with five needles in a bundle) and cypress. These species grow well on sandy-clay soils, and pines - even on stony ones. Cypress, juniper, larch, spruce and yew trees love lime. Juniper also tolerates drying soils well. But cypress trees, on the contrary, require an abundance of soil moisture. Spruces grow best on moist clay-sandy lands. Fir trees are more demanding on soil quality than spruce trees. They thrive in deep clay-sandy, moderately moist, nutrient-rich soils and generally cannot tolerate high groundwater levels. The remaining coniferous trees and shrubs need more powerful soils, in which there are enough nutrients and a moderate soil moisture content. In swampy areas, even in shallow stagnant water, only swamp cypresses grow well.

If we talk about hardening, then most conifers are resistant to cold. Fir, cedar, cryptomeria, spruce and more delicate species of certain species should not, however, be planted in cold hollows where they can freeze.

Of the firs, the most hardy and not afraid of frost are Abies balsamea, A. concolor, A. grandis and A. homolepis; from cypress trees - Chamaecyparis nootkatensis and Ch. lawsoniana; from spruces - Picea abies, P. alba, P. asperata, P. omorika and P. pungens; from Pinus banksiana, P. cembra and P. reyse pines.

Fir trees need a place more protected from the winds, and cedars develop well only in such places. Due to the fact that variegated conifers, and from thuja - Thuja orientalis, can suffer from solar radiation in winter, a place for them must be chosen taking this moment into account.

Coniferous trees also tolerate polluted air in different ways. Some species generally grow quite well in industrial areas. However, smoky, polluted air does not tolerate most firs at all. Among them, Abies concolor, A. grandis, A. koreana, A. nordmanniana, A. procera, A. veitchii are relatively hardened in this respect. Nor can most spruces, pines, and cryptomerias tolerate such pollution. Although in the same conditions some types of cedars and cypresses, yews, thujas take root quite well, and from pines - pine dwarf, black pine, common pine, etc.

Those species that have soft needles, as well as cypress trees, mainly young ones, some junipers (also in young age), for example, Chinese juniper, virginian juniper, and in the spring when the needles bloom and common juniper. Animals also bite the bark of young larch, and from pines they choose those with soft needles. Neither the berry yew nor the western thuja will be protected from them. The remaining conifers do not suffer from animals.

Forest nursery workers are often faced with the fact that many gardeners seek to acquire high-growth species of coniferous trees for their small plots and front gardens, without, however, attaching due importance to this moment. At the same time, in most cases they are simply attracted by the beauty of young plants and tempted by the size of the specimens sold. Such buyers naively hope that if they plant such plants in the garden, they will immediately become a decoration of the site. They forget that over time, arborvitae, cypresses, spruces, firs, pines and other large breeds will create an almost impenetrable wall, interfere with admiring the surrounding landscape, or even completely immerse the garden in constant shade.

Tall coniferous tree species

Vetkhova fir ( Abies veitchii) is a slender tree, reaching 15-20 or even 25 m in height and 4 m in crown diameter. She has thick shiny dark green needles with a silvery sheen on the underside. Every year this tree grows about 70 cm high and 20 cm wide. It is planted mainly singly in large gardens.

European spruce, or common ( Picea abies) - a well-known tree 20-25 m high (it can reach 30-35 m), with a narrow pyramidal crown and symmetrical branches located in a horizontal plane. It grows violently, annually increasing by about 80 cm in height and 30 cm in width. It is used more often in large gardens and parks singly or in group plantings as trimmed hedges.

Spruce Serbian, or Balkan ( Picea omorika) is a beautiful, surprisingly slender tree, the crown of which begins to branch strongly from below. It is one of the most hardy conifers, it is not at all afraid of frost and withstands city air well. This spruce reaches 25-35 m in height, but at the ground its width is only 2-3 m. Its annual growth is approximately 50 cm in height and 15-20 cm in crown diameter. Serbian or Balkan spruce is a plant of exceptional merit, suitable for both large and medium-sized gardens.

Pine black, Austrian ( Pinus nigra austriaca - P.n. ssp. Nigra) first has a cone-shaped, and later - an ovoid crown shape, reaching 4-8 m in diameter. In height, this tree can reach 20 m, and in exceptional cases 25 m. The annual growth averages 70 cm in height and 35 cm in crown diameter. Black pine is an excellent tree for large gardens; she loves dry, well-permeable soil, which also contains lime.

Falling larch, or Western European ( Larix decidua), also a very tall tree, rising up to 35 m. Its crown is wide, 4-6 m in diameter, the needles are light green, sometimes even gray-green. This larch grows faster than all other coniferous trees, adding about 80 cm in height and 50 cm in crown diameter per year. Such a tree needs a place in the sun, a lot of free space around and deep, but not too light soil with sufficient water permeability.

One of the varieties of Lawson's cypress ( Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Alumii") of a bluish-steel color is a very slender coniferous tree with a cone-shaped dense crown. It reaches a height of about 10 m and a diameter of 2-3 m. Its annual growth is approximately 30 cm in height and 10 cm in width. This variety is unassuming, loves a sunny location and is said to tolerate frost well. It is planted mainly singly or used to create hedges of an unusual shape.

Yew berry, or ordinary, European ( taxus baccata) can tolerate deep shade, although it thrives well in full sun. This tree is 10-20 m tall with a rounded crown 10-15 m in diameter. It is often bushy and reaches a very respectable age. He also likes calcareous soil, which passes water well; it is planted singly or in group compositions, like undergrowth next to more tall trees. Berry yew is suitable for creating hedges, both free-growing and trimmed. Its annual growth in height, as well as in diameter, is approximately 30 cm.

Thuja western ( Thuja occidentalis) - a cone-shaped coniferous tree with short horizontally arranged branches, reaches 10-15 m in height and 3-4 m in diameter. Its annual growth is about 20-30 cm in height and the same in width. The tree loves a sunny location, is remarkably hardy, and is particularly well suited for planting as natural free-growing or trimmed hedges.

Fir single color ( Abies concolor) - a tree 20-30 m in height with a straight trunk and a beautiful cone-shaped crown with a diameter of up to 3-4 m starting near the ground. This fir has peculiar, crescent-shaped, gray-green needles. The annual growth of the plant is 50 cm in height and about 15 cm in crown diameter. It loves the sun, is very frost-resistant and tolerates a smoky polluted atmosphere. Single-colored fir needs nutritious soil with sufficient water permeability and a place with good sunlight. It is considered an excellent single tree in a big city.

Coniferous trees of medium size

Coniferous trees of medium size and even very squat ones play a significant role in decorating gardens and parks. Smaller species are usually planted near access roads or footpaths, near houses and summer cottages, as well as in rock gardens and in those places where for some reason it is not possible to plant trees that reach large sizes.

In recent years, Korean fir (Abies koreana) has been especially popular with gardeners. This slowly growing tree is distinguished by a dense pyramidal crown, and in adulthood it is usually not so much tall as wide, reaching 2-4 m in height and 2-3 m in diameter, although it can be larger - up to 8 m height and 4 m in diameter. Every year the tree rises up by about 30cm and spreads 15-20cm wide. Korean fir is very prolific. AND young tree produces beautiful, purple-violet buds up to 7 cm long.

Attractive in appearance is the gently pubescent variety of Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Ellwoodiif"), which has gray-blue scaly needles and a narrow, pyramidal crown. An adult tree reaches 2-3 m in height and about 1 m in crown diameter. This cypress variety grows slowly (annual growth is about 20 cm in height and 5-10 cm in diameter), is very unpretentious and is considered by gardeners to be an excellent single plant that can be planted in small gardens.

The slender pea cypress variety Chamaecyparis pisifera "Plumosa Aurea" is distinguished by catchy yellowish-golden needles and a wide conical shape. It reaches 6-8 and even 10 m in height and 2-3 or even 4 m in crown diameter. The annual growth of the tree averages 25 cm in height and 15 cm in width. This is a very modest, undemanding plant, but it loves wet places and sandy, well-permeable soil. It should be borne in mind that the needles acquire a juicy color only when the tree grows in the sun. This variety of tree can be placed singly and in group plantings, in the form of hedges.

In recent years, another interesting variety of pea cypress, Ch.p., has gained great popularity. Boulevard. It grows slowly and forms a cone-shaped, densely branched crown, reaching 2 m in height and 1 m in crown diameter. This is also an undemanding plant that loves well-permeable soil and a sunny place. In horticultural practice, the tree is placed singly. With a luscious steel blue color and soft needles, this cypress tree looks especially good in the middle of a lawn.

Attractive is the common juniper variety Juniperus communis "Hibernica", which is distinguished by a slender columnar shape and is one of the coniferous trees suitable for planting in large gardens and parks, as well as in small areas. As a rule, it reaches 3-4 m in height and about 1 m in crown diameter. Its not too sharp and dense needles have a silvery bluish-green color. This variety of common juniper loves the sun, sandy, well-permeable soil and looks great in untouched corners of the garden, in large rock gardens and near them, as well as in heather thickets. It is planted both individually and in small groups.

Picea glauca 'Conica' is a slow growing crop of white spruce. In adulthood, the plant can reach 3-4 m in height. It is planted both singly and in a group, and, of course, also placed in rock gardens

Juniperus chinensis "Pfitzeriana" is an unpretentious, well-growing and decorative juniper with spreading, slightly arched branches. It is placed mostly alone. Juniper reaches 2 m in height and about 4 m in crown diameter. One of his J.oh. 'Pfitzeriana Aurea' has broadly spreading branches and grey-green, golden yellow when blooming, and bronze needles in winter. It reaches about 2-2.5 m in height and has a crown diameter of 6-8 and sometimes 10 m. During the year, the plant gains a height of only about 20 cm, while its width is up to 40 cm. This frost-resistant variety belongs to the most beautiful junipers with a spreading crown, loves soils that pass water well and are sunny, in extreme cases. , slightly shaded places. It is planted as a single plant, as well as in groups with other conifers.

The well-known variety of white spruce Picea glauca "Conica" is distinguished by a symmetrical cone-shaped shape and reaches a height of 3 m with a diameter of 1 m by the age of thirty. The plant grows very slowly (annual growths are 15 cm in height and 5 cm in crown diameter). It is characterized by a dense compact crown and delicate grassy green needles. The plant is great for small gardens, where the best place for it is in the middle of a grassy area or in rock gardens. However, the tree needs light partial shade. In the sun, it suffers from burns.

A quiet corner formed by trees, herbs and perennials is dominated by three pyramidal junipers Juniperus communis "Hibernica"

Pine dwarf mountain ( Pinus mugo var. pumilio) is one of the most beloved small-sized pines by gardeners. It has a rather wide than high semicircular crown (the plant reaches a height of 1-1.5 m and 3 m in width). Annual growth within 5 cm in height and up to 10 cm in crown diameter. This undersized pine prefers a place well lit by the sun; it can be planted singly, as well as in group plantings.

Coniferous trees with colored needles

The blue-silver cultivar of prickly spruce (Picea pungens "Glauca") is commonly referred to as silver spruce. The stores sell young plants grown from seedlings, which over the years in our conditions reach 10-20 m in height. Along with them, several varieties propagated by grafting are bred, for example, Picea pungens "Koster", which has juicy silver-blue needles, P.p. "Moerheimi", characterized by a slender conical shape and the same silver-blue needles. The annual growth of these varieties is 15-25 cm in height and 10-15 cm in crown diameter.

To decorate the entrance to the house, two pyramidal junipers Juniperus communis "Hibernica" are planted, immediately attracting attention

Growers, especially beginners, should not be distressed by the asymmetrical shape of young grafts. Such a plant, as it develops, itself levels out for three or more years, becomes slender. But often it is the singularity, quirkiness of form, which is typical for creeping varieties, that is highly valued. p.p. "Glauca Pendula" is an example of this.

Among the firs, distinguished by the juicy blue color of their needles, gardeners choose mainly silver fir, or the noble Abies procera "Glauca"; This is a powerful plant, reaching 20-30 m in height. In adult scions, long, up to 25 cm cones appear annually. The annual growth of this tree is usually 30 cm in height and 15 cm in crown diameter.

Chamaecyparis obtusa "Nana Gracilis" in adulthood reaches 2 m in height. Grows slowly. Often used in rock gardens and for planting in large vegetative vessels.

The color of the bluish needles of the juniper genus is rich and varied. Large, spreading, but not too tall bushes form, for example, juniper varieties of the middle Juniperus chinensis "Pfitzeriana", J.ch. 'Hetzii', J. squamata 'Meyeri', with its compact shape and clear gray-blue corners, grows much more slowly and needs to be clipped regularly: only then does it look beautiful.

An interesting tree with needles of a bluish-steel color is the "Glauca" variety of horizontal juniper (J. horizontalis). Due to its short stature, it is well suited for green cover of the soil surface. This plant also successfully develops in semi-shaded areas, rising above ground level by only 20-30 cm; an adult plant is able to cover an area of ​​​​2-3 m 2 with its branches. With fleshy round cones, a beautiful columnar shape and delicate needles from bluish-green to silver-gray, the J. virginiana "Glauca" juniper variety attracts attention.

Among conifers of yellowish color, you can choose extremely picturesque species and varieties for the garden. Among them, for example, is an interesting cypress with hanging branches and golden yellow needles, known as Chamaecyparis lawso-niana "Golden King". In winter, its needles acquire a brownish-yellow tone.

On a hill among alpine plants planted undersized conifers - Pinus mugo var. mughus and Juniperus communis "Depressa"

The most beautiful cypress trees, painted in yellow tones, include Ch. lawsoniana "Lane", which reaches a height of 5 meters or more, as well as varieties of Chinese juniper, for example J. chinensis Tfitzeriana Aurea", J. ch. "Old Gold", J. ch. "Plumosa Aurea", whose needles have many shades - from yellowish to juicy golden yellow.

Among the yew and thuja there are also several representatives with interesting yellow-colored needles, for example, varieties of yew berry and western arborvitae (Taxus baccata "Fastigiata Aurea". Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold").

Conifers for rock gardens and garden vases

Rock gardens and the space around them cannot be imagined without coniferous plants. For small rocky gardens and mini-rock gardens, which are planted in tubs and garden vases, for dry walls or covering the ground, dwarf, low-growing and creeping varieties of various types are used primarily. They are distinguished by bizarre shapes and outlines, variegation of needles. Dwarf plants are characterized by slow growth. There are many such cultures. In large, monumental rock gardens, taller species and varieties should be placed.

From the rich assortment of conifers suitable for such plantings, we will name a few that are most familiar to gardeners.

Abies balsamea "Nana", or "Hudsonia" is a dwarf variety of Canadian balsam fir, characterized by a squat nest-like shape. This fir grows slowly, reaching a height of 50-100 cm. Its needles are dark green, short, glossy and thick.

A. concolor "Glauca Compacta" is a very rare dwarf variety, which is characterized by a dense asymmetrical crown shape and catchy blue-gray needles. (This culture is suitable for larger rock gardens, it can be planted in the neighborhood, as well as placed in the middle of the lawn and in small gardens.

A. koreana - Korean fir in adulthood seems too bulky for a small garden, but nevertheless it is quite suitable for such use. It will take many years before this plant reaches 2-4 m in height. It grows slowly; it often happens that in an old Korean fir, the diameter of the crown is greater than the height of the entire plant. This tree has beautiful, dense, juicy green needles above and white below, and, most importantly, attractive purple cones that appear even on young fir.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana "Fletcheri" is a cypress variety with a columnar or conical shape. The needles of young trees are lighter gray-green in color. This culture is recommended for rock gardens. It reaches a height of 5 meters or more, which should be taken into account in a timely manner.

Ch. I. "Minima Glauca" - a beautiful dwarf form of cypress with branches that resemble shells in their outlines. This variety reaches a height of about one meter and is distinguished by short matte, bluish-green needles with a waxy coating. At first, "Minima Glauca" has a spherical shape, but over the years, changing, it acquires the contours of a cone.

Ch. obtusa "Crippsii" is a catchy-looking cypress tree with a slowly growing wide cone-shaped crown and light yellow, with a hint of sulfur needles, which sometimes acquire a golden yellow color. It takes many years before the plant reaches a three-meter height. This is one of the most beautiful crops among the undersized, the so-called. golden conifers.

Ch. about. "Filicoides" - a slow-growing variety of cypress, characterized by a straight and even shape; sometimes there are also asymmetric individuals, similar to bushes. The branches of this plant resemble fern leaves, its needles are dark green. Already a young tree looks spectacular, catchy. For a quarter of a century, it reaches 2 m in height.

Ch. about. "Lycopodioides" - a plant of compact size with juicy green needles, thick, resembling club moss, very decorative branches. It often looks like a pyramid. In height, this cypress tree reaches 1.5-2 m, in diameter - 2 m.

Picea glauca "Alberta Globe" reaches a height of three meters. This tree is placed in rock gardens, in groups of smaller conifers, or in the foreground of the forested part of the site.

Ch. about. "Nana Gracilis" grows many years after planting to only 80-100 cm in height; the plant is notable for its fresh green needles and branches like small shells.

Ch. about. "Pygmaea" is a sprawling spherical and dwarf-sized plant with small branches arranged in a ladder and almost horizontally. Its needles are reddish brown at first and later brownish green and glossy. In winter, the needles acquire a reddish-bronze hue. The plant slowly increases in size, reaching 1-2 m in height.

Ch. pisifera "Aurea Nana" - also a dwarf and very slow growing cypress tree with a cone-shaped crown and juicy yellow needles. It is suitable for small rock gardens and garden vases. Ch. p. "Boulevard" is one of the new varieties; notable for its dense, straight upward pyramidal crown and juicy color of needles, cast in the color of blue steel. This tree grows slowly. The oldest specimens barely reach 2.5 m in height. The plant is very hardy, it develops well in adverse atmospheric conditions of industrial cities. Its soft-touch needles take on a beautiful purple hue in winter. In 1934, the variety Squarrosa was bred. However, only in recent years it has become popular among gardeners. "Boulevard" is also suitable for small gardens. Ch. p. "Nana Aureovariegata" reaches a height of barely one meter. This variety has short and delicate, placed by a ladder and bent down branches, the ends of which seem to be curled. The needles are very small, dull yellow. The plant is also suitable for small rock gardens. Ch.p. Tilifera Nana "is distinguished by thread-like branches that hang from all sides, and the fresh green color of the needles. It reaches a maximum height of one meter. Ch.p. "Plumosa Compressa" is one of the smallest conifers intended for rock gardens. In height it rises only about 30 cm and is beautifully shaped, its needles are light green, sometimes blue.

Yews are very valuable conifers. It is the only tree that can withstand full shade and can act as a dust barrier. It is easier than other conifers to cut, forming a crown. In the picture - Taxus baccata "Repandens"

Cotoneaster multiflorus is planted both as a single plant and in a group: it is undemanding, grows well in direct sunlight and in partial shade.

Thoughtfully using decorative tree species, you can create an impressive composition in a small garden, where architecture and greenery will form a single whole.

Cryptomeria japonica, a hardy Japanese cryptomeria, is a slow growing, asymmetrical shrubby form with fleshy, bluish-green needles that turn reddish-brown in winter. The plant reaches a height of about one meter and is of interest mainly to those who like to collect various interesting cultures. Cryptomeria japonica requires a sheltered location or at least light cover for the winter.

Juniperus chinensis "Old Gold" is similar to J.ch. "Pfitzeriana Aurea", from which it differs in a more compact crown and a constant bronze-golden color of the needles, which does not change even in winter. Over the years, the diameter and height of this plant become approximately the same - within one meter.

J. communis "Compressa" is a slow-growing, dwarf-sized variety of common juniper, which adds only 2-5 cm in height per year. It has thick, as if compacted branches and delicate, light bluish-greenish needles. This is a remarkable and rare plant, suitable for small rock gardens, the care of which requires special experience. In more severe conditions and in unprotected places, it needs winter shelter with spruce branches. J.c. var. depressa has a flat creeping form and reaches a height of 50-60 cm. This plant has short and wide needles of green color with a yellowish or brownish tinge; in winter they become bronze. This is a natural, uncultivated juniper native to the mountainous regions of North America. It is one of the best carpet conifers suitable for landscaping large areas in sunlit areas. J.c. "Depressa Aurea" is similar to the previous plant, but it retains juicy golden yellow needles until the beginning of summer and only later acquires a light yellow tint. J.c. "Depressa Aureospicata" is especially suitable for planting in rock gardens. Its young needles are distinguished by a light yellow color. J.c. "Hibernica" is famous and popular with gardeners. This is an evenly growing juniper with bluish-green needles, reaching 4 m in height. At J.c. "Hornibrookii" creeping trunk. Over time, this juniper reaches 2 m in width, but its height, even in an adult specimen, as a rule, is no more than 30-50 cm. Dark brown, glossy branches of different lengths usually lie on the ground, only their tips slightly rise up. Needles, light green, with silvery-white stripes, dense, acquire a brownish tint in winter. The plant has the ability to cover large stones of rock gardens or hillsides with a thick carpet.

J. horizontalis "Douglasii" is a beautiful creeping juniper, only 30 cm high, valued for its slow growth. Only a very old plant reaches 2-3 m in crown diameter. Its needles are the color of blue steel, which in autumn acquires a purple hue and a bluish-green wax coating. This plant is planted in cemeteries.

J. sabina "Cupressifolia" is a short, slow growing, mostly spreading crop with a trailing trunk. In height, it rises by about 60 cm. The needles are dark green. It is mainly used to decorate lawns and slopes. Beautiful and tamarisk-leaved variety of creeping juniper with bluish-green needles - J.s. Tamariscifolia". It is also short (up to 60 cm) and is distinguished by widely spaced branches.

J. squamata "Meyeri" is a slow-growing creeping juniper with upcurved branch ends and very showy bright bluish-white needles. It reaches 2 m in height.

J. virginiana 'Globosa', or 'Nana Compacta', is a low shrub growing to a meter high. The plant is distinguished by its spherical shape and dense branching of the crown. Its needles, greenish-gray above and green below, turn a pale purplish green in winter. Variety J.v. "Skyrocket" although not among the undersized (up to 5 m in height), nevertheless deserves attention due to its extremely slender appearance and columnar shape. With a height of 2 m, it has a diameter of only 30 cm. Its branches are closely adjacent to each other. Needles - bluish-gray. This juniper is especially good among heather thickets and where we would like to break the monotonous uniformity of growing conifers and other plants.

Picea abies "Echiniformis" - dwarf spruce with delicate dense branches, light yellow-green needles; it resembles a pillow lying on the ground. A very beautiful variety for rock garden, for planting near it and among the lawn. It reaches a height of approximately 60 cm. R.a. 'Maxwellii' is distinguished by its density, spherical appearance and light green needles. Its height is about a meter. R.a. "Nidiformis" is a cushion-shaped dwarf spruce, with a nest-like depression in the middle. Good for rock climbing. Its height is up to 60-100 cm. R.a. "Pumila Glauca" is a dwarf growing mainly in width with a dark green crown. Height within 80 cm.

P. glauca "Conica" is a dwarf spruce with a lovely cone shape and soft, light green needles. It grows slowly, reaches 2 m in height, is attractive for its spectacular decorative appearance.

P. omorika "Nana" is a dwarf form of the well-known Serbian spruce, characterized by a cone shape with a wide base, dense branches and a compact overall appearance. This plant often has a crown diameter greater than its height. Over the years, it reaches 1.5-3 m in height. The needles on its branches are arranged in a ray-like manner, due to which their bluish color from below is also clearly visible.

P. pungens "Glauca Compacta" - a spectacular dwarf form of "silver spruce" 1-1.5 m high with dense branches and beautiful blue needles. Individuals grown from cuttings grow very slowly and are extremely compact in appearance.

p.p. "Glauca Globosa" - a beautiful dwarf spruce form with luscious blue needles and a spherical crown contour. An adult plant is usually no more than one meter in height.

Pinus cembra - European cedar, one of the most beautiful European pines with a picturesque narrow cone-shaped crown and very dense dark green needles on the front and bluish-white on the reverse side of the needles. Spruce does best when planted in good, moderately moist soil. Suitable for use in harsher natural conditions. She likes to have enough free space around her. The tree reaches a height of 10-20 m, but despite this it is quite often planted in large rock gardens.

P. densiflora "Umbraculifera" grows very slowly, is a low tree, most often with a wide asymmetrical, umbrella-shaped crown and horizontally arranged branches. Its needles are soft, catchy light bluish-green hue. This is a very hardy variety, which in 30 years reaches about 2 m in height.

R. tido is an elfin almost shrubby form with branches often creeping along the ground. This plant looks best in natural groups in the garden or in large rock gardens. Height - up to 3-4 m. P.m. van pumilio grows in width rather than in height and is one of the gardeners' favorite conifers used in rock gardens. Reaches one meter in height.

P. pumila "Glauca" is a low-growing shrub pine similar to dwarf but related to European cedar. It reaches a height of 1-1.5 m, it is distinguished by bluish-green needles. The tree grows slowly, unpretentious in terms of living conditions, but loves moist soils. The plant is suitable for rock gardens and for planting on slopes.

P. sfrobus "Nana" is a dwarf form of the well-known Weymouth pine, characterized by a dense and wide crown. Plant up to 1.5-2 m high, with bluish-green, relatively short needles. It is an undemanding and frost-resistant variety that can be planted alone and in small gardens.

Taxus baccata 'Compacts' is a slow growing yew of compact oval to cone shape with raised branches and dark green needles. Suitable for small rock gardens.

T. cuspidata "Nana" - a dwarf yew with a beautiful dense crown shape and juicy dark green needles. Reaches 1 m in height and 3 m in crown diameter.

T. x media "Hicksii" has a narrow, even crown and light green needles. Grows to a height of 1.5-3 m; suitable for planting both in sunny places and in the shade.

Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold" is a slow growing thuja with a spherical crown and golden orange needles. It reaches a height of approximately 1.5 m. Title Gem "- a dwarf variety with a dense, rather wide than high crown and juicy green needles. Thus, "Recurva Nana" is distinguished by a dense spherical or cone-shaped crown with a wide base and green, and brown needles in winter. Ends the branches are slightly curved.Adult plant reaches 2 m in height.

T. orientalis "Aurea Nana" is a slow growing thuja with a spherical crown and yellow-green needles. Suitable for small rock gardens.

Coniferous forest is a natural area consisting of evergreens. Their unpretentiousness, lack of fear of excess moisture and large temperature changes, as well as the need for natural light, determined the habitat and unique features.

The coniferous forests of Russia make up 2/3 of the total forest area of ​​the country. In this regard, Russia is a world leader. Of the world heritage of coniferous forests, the Russian part is more than half.

All coniferous forests in Russia are taiga, which extends mainly in the northern part of the country, occupies its European zone, the territory of Western and Eastern Siberia, as well as the Far East.

coniferous forest zone

There are three subzones of the taiga, each of which is characterized by its own special vegetation:

• Northern.
• Medium;
• South;

(northern taiga)

The northern subzone of the taiga is dominated by spruce forests and stunted vegetation. From the side of the tundra, they are sparse, but gradually thicken towards the south.

(Pine forest of the Urals)

The coniferous forests of the Urals are characterized by pine forests, the Far Eastern region of Siberia is represented mainly by larch

(Southern taiga forest)

The southern taiga boasts a wide variety of vegetation. Fir, spruce, cedar and larch grow here.

Forests in Russia are found formed by only one type of tree or are mixed forest stands. Depending on the composition of the coniferous forest, it is also divided into light coniferous (pine and Siberian larch), as well as dark coniferous forests. The latter are fir, cedar and spruce.

(Typical coniferous forest)

In coniferous forests, trees tend to be tall with straight trunks and large, dense crowns. Some of them, such as pines, can reach a height of 40 meters. Such conditions do not allow the formation of a diverse undergrowth. It is represented mainly by moss, low bushes of berries and club mosses. New, young trees that also need light cannot always break through, and therefore grow more often on the outskirts of the forest and edges.

The climate of coniferous forests

In the coniferous forests of Russia, the climate is special, it is characterized by warm and sometimes hot summers and frosty, harsh winters. The maximum temperatures reach 45 degrees with a plus and minus sign, respectively. A similar climate is suitable for conifers that are undemanding to such temperature changes. For them, the main thing is the sufficient availability of natural light.

Another feature of the climate of the Russian taiga is high humidity. Precipitation here exceeds the actual volume of evaporation. Not uncommon, especially in Siberia, are found large areas swampy areas. This is partly due to the close approach of groundwater.

Human economic activity

The territory of the taiga is represented by timber, the volume of which exceeds 5.5 billion cubic meters.

Such resources, as well as the presence of oil, gas and coal reserves in the subsoil of the regions, determined the main types of economic activity in the taiga:

• extraction of oil, gas and minerals;
• logging;
• timber processing.

For example, pine wood is used to make building materials, furniture, it is valued as a fuel, cellophane, rayon and, of course, paper are also produced from it.

Spruce and fir also act as a material for construction. Paper, artificial viscose, etc. are made from their wood. An interesting feature of spruce is resonant wood, which is used to make musical instruments.

It can be confidently called the “lungs of the Earth”, because the state of the air, the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide depend on them. Rich stocks of timber, mineral deposits are concentrated here, many of which are being discovered to this day.

Location in Russia

The taiga is spreading in a wide strip in our country. Coniferous forests occupy most of Siberia (Eastern, Western), the Urals, the Baikal region, the Far East and the Altai Mountains. The zone originates on the western border of Russia, it stretches to the coast of the Pacific Ocean - the Sea of ​​Japan and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.

The coniferous forests of the taiga border on other climatic zones. In the north, they coexist with the tundra, in the west - with. In some cities of the country, there is an intersection of taiga with forest-steppe and mixed forests.

Location in Europe

The coniferous forests of the taiga cover not only Russia, but also some foreign countries. Among them are the countries of Canada. Throughout the world, taiga massifs occupy a vast territory and are considered the largest zone on the planet.

The extreme boundary of the biome on the south side is located on the island of Hokkaido (Japan). The northern side is bounded by Taimyr. This location explains the leading position of the taiga in terms of length among other natural zones.

Climate

A large biome is located in two climatic zones at once - temperate and subarctic. This explains the diversity of weather conditions in the taiga. The temperate climate ensures warm summers. The average temperature of the natural zone in the summer is 20 degrees above zero. The cold arctic air affects the temperature fluctuations and affects the taiga winters, the air here can be cooled to 45 degrees below zero. In addition, piercing winds are observed at all times of the year.

The coniferous forests of the taiga are characterized by high humidity due to their location in swampy areas and low evaporation. In summer, most of the precipitation falls in the form of light and heavy rains. In winter there is a lot of snow - the thickness of its layer is 50-80 centimeters, it does not melt for 6-7 months. Permafrost is observed in Siberia.

Peculiarities

The largest, longest and richest natural zone is the taiga. Coniferous forests occupy fifteen million square kilometers of the land area of ​​the Earth! The width of the zone in the European part is 800 kilometers, in Siberia - more than 2 thousand kilometers.

The formation of taiga forests began in the past era, before the onset of and However, the zone received a detailed analysis and characteristics only in 1898 thanks to P. N. Krylov, who defined the concept of "taiga" and formulated its main characteristics.

The biome is especially rich in water bodies. Famous Russian rivers originate here - Volga, Lena, Kama, Northern Dvina and others. They cross the taiga of the Yenisei and the Ob. In coniferous forests there are the largest Russian reservoirs - Bratskoye, Rybinsk, Kamskoye. In addition, in the taiga there are many groundwater, which explains the predominance of swamps (especially in Northern Siberia and Canada). Thanks to temperate climate and sufficient moisture, there is a rapid development of the plant world.

Taiga subzones

The natural zone is divided into three subzones, which differ in climatic features, flora and fauna.

• Northern. Characterized by a cold climate. It's a harsh winter here cool summer. Huge areas of land are occupied by swampy terrain. Forests in most cases are stunted, medium-sized spruces and pines are observed.
• Average. Differs in moderation. The climate is temperate - warm summers, cold but not frosty winters. Many swamps of various types. High humidity. Trees of normal height, mainly blueberry spruce forests sprout.
• South. The most diverse flora and fauna, coniferous forests are observed here. The taiga has an admixture of broad-leaved and small-leaved tree species. The climate is warm, characterized by hot summers, which last for almost four months. Reduced soreness.

Forest types

Depending on the vegetation, several types of taiga are distinguished. The main ones are light coniferous and dark coniferous forests. Along with trees, there are meadows that arose on the site of deforestation.

• Light coniferous type. It is mainly distributed in Siberia. Also found in other areas (Urals, Canada). It is located in a sharply continental climate zone, characterized by abundant rainfall and moderate weather conditions. One of the most common types of trees is pine - a photophilous representative of the taiga. Such forests are spacious and bright. Larch is another common species. Forests are even lighter than pine forests. The crowns of trees are rare, so in such "thickets" a feeling of open area is created.
• dark coniferous type- most common in Northern Europe and mountain ranges (Alps, Altai Mountains, Carpathians). Its territory is located in a temperate and mountainous climate, characterized by high humidity. Fir and spruce predominate here, juniper and dark coniferous pine are less common.

Vegetable world

Even at the beginning of the 19th century, no one divided the natural zones, and their differences and features were not known. Fortunately, today geography has been studied in more detail, and the necessary information is available to everyone. The coniferous forest of the taiga - trees, plants, shrubs ... What is the characteristic and interesting flora of this zone?

In the forests - weakly expressed or absent undergrowth, which is explained by insufficient amount of light, especially in dark coniferous thickets. There is a monotony of moss - as a rule, only a green species can be found here. Shrubs grow - currants, junipers, and shrubs - lingonberries, blueberries.

The type of forest depends on climatic conditions. The western side of the taiga is characterized by the dominance of European and Siberian spruce. IN mountainous areas spruce-fir forests sprout. Clusters of larches stretch to the east. The Okhotsk coast is rich in a variety of tree species. In addition to coniferous representatives, the taiga is also fraught with deciduous trees. consist of aspen, alder, birch.

Animal world of the taiga

The fauna of the coniferous forests of the taiga is diverse and unique. A wide variety of insects live here. Nowhere is there such a number of fur-bearing animals, including ermine, sable, hare, weasel. Climatic conditions favorable to sedentary animals, but unacceptable to cold-blooded creatures. Only a few species of amphibians and reptiles live in the taiga. Their low numbers are associated with severe winters. The rest of the inhabitants have adapted to the cold seasons. Some of them fall into hibernation or anabiosis, while their vital activity slows down.

What animals live in coniferous forests? The taiga, where there are so many shelters for animals and an abundance of food, is characterized by the presence of such predators as lynx, Brown bear, wolf, fox. Ungulates live here - roe deer, bison, elk, deer. On the branches of trees and under them live rodents - beavers, squirrels, mice, chipmunks.

Birds

More than 300 species of birds nest in the forest thickets. Particular diversity is observed in the eastern taiga - capercaillie, hazel grouse, some varieties of owls and woodpeckers live here. Forests are distinguished by high humidity and numerous reservoirs, therefore they are especially widespread here. Some representatives of coniferous expanses have to migrate to the south in winter, where living conditions are more favorable. Among them are the Siberian thrush and the forest warbler.

man in taiga

Human activities do not always favorably affect the state of nature. Numerous fires caused by the negligence and thoughtlessness of people, deforestation and mining lead to a decrease in the number of forest wildlife.

Picking berries, mushrooms, nuts are typical activities popular with local population for which the autumn taiga is known. Coniferous forests are the main supplier of timber resources. Here are also largest deposits minerals (oil, gas, coal). Thanks to moist and fertile soil, agriculture is developed in the southern regions. Breeding of animals and hunting for wild animals is widespread.

Coniferous and deciduous forests are two of the three main forest types. Life in these forests develops in different ways, which is explained by the difference in , as the examples on this page show.

man and forest

The impact of human activities on forests around the world is enormous. Forests are an important part of the economy of many countries - producers of wood, paper, building materials and furniture. Human intervention in the forests threatens them with death. Especially serious problems occur when plantations of other fast-growing trees are planted on the site of cut down forests: they disturb the habitat, displace its inhabitants and dramatically change the landscape. Plantations are important sources of timber, but they can damage forest ecosystems. From the vast deciduous forests of antiquity, very little has survived to this day. This is explained by the spread of agriculture and the rapid growth of cities. Destructive human activities, such as acid rain, threaten the last remnants of forests. We must remember this danger and take all measures to protect forests.

Conifers get their name from the green needles that cover their branches. In cold and harsh climatic zones, where summer is short and precipitation is low, for example, in North America, in the north of Europe and Asia, there are huge spruce, cedar, pine, fir and larch forests. To the south, coniferous trees grow interspersed with deciduous trees in the so-called mixed forests. Coniferous trees are covered with needles instead of leaves. The surface of the needles is smaller than the leaves, and it evaporates less moisture. Almost all conifers are evergreen and thanks to the needles they can produce food all year round. Coniferous trees cannot serve as a source of food for animals: their needles are very hard, and there are usually few branches on the trunk. Only a few plant species can grow on the ground in coniferous forests. This is due to the lack of solar. Therefore, the animal world in such forests is poor. It's too cold there, and most bacteria and earthworms can't live and thrive. The soil remains unloosened, and very little humus is formed, and this is the reason for the low efficiency of nitrogen cycles of mineral substances. Some animals have adapted to permanent life in the forest (see also the article ""). So, moose wander in the bowl in search of food, and bears and chipmunks hibernate for the winter and live off the fat reserves accumulated in summer and autumn. A warm short summer awakens all living things to activity. Insects multiply rapidly and serve as food for birds that have returned north to breed. Coniferous Trees under abundant sunlight grow quickly.

Coniferous trees and their needles

Looking at the shape of the needles, you can easily determine which tree species they belong to. Here are the main types of conifers:

1. Larch. Bundles for 12-20 short needles. They fall off in autumn.

2. Fir. Single needles with blunt tips.

3. Cedar and juniper. Small flat scaly leaves.

4. Pine. Two or three needles connected at the base.

5. Spruce. Sharp, hard tetrahedral needles.

6. Tisza. Flat leathery needles.

On deciduous trees, leaves bloom every year. Most of these trees bloom in spring or early summer. Deciduous forests are found in places where the climate is relatively mild and there is a lot of rainfall. They cover most of the territory of Europe, Japan, East Asia and the eastern states of the United States. There are many species such as oak, birch, maple and ash. Deciduous trees are covered with large, broad leaves. They actively carry out the process of photosynthesis for several months. In late autumn, the leaves die off and fly around under the influence of strong winds and cold. Each tree is a source of food for many kinds of living beings. On fertile soils, with an abundance of sunlight, various plants bloom wildly. They provide food for many animal species. Annual leaf fall and the activity of necrophages contribute to the formation of soil rich in humus, nitrates and minerals. In winter, animals in deciduous forests lead a more active lifestyle than in coniferous forests. But the life of deciduous forests is especially rich in spring and summer: there is an abundance of plants, insects, birds, and mammals. In southern Europe, the southwestern United States, Australia, New Zealand, and northern South America, many deciduous trees have adapted to very hot, dry summers. They have some features in common with conifers. They themselves have become evergreen, and their leaves are smaller and thicker, which allows them to better retain moisture.

How to measure the height of a tree

Attach a strip of paper to the trunk of a tree at the height of your height and measure it 1 (in cm). Move away from the tree, holding the ruler at arm's length until the top edge of the strip lines up with the 3 cm mark on the ruler. Mark which mark on the ruler the top of the tree will match, divide this number by 3 and multiply by your height (for example, 21 cm: 3 x 150 cm gives 1050 cm, or 10.5 m).

Forest tundra and coniferous forests

Between the zones of tundra and coniferous forests there is a transition - forest tundra. This is a narrow band in which the distribution of vegetation depends most of all on local conditions.

On the southern border of the tundra zone, in places protected from the wind and warmed up, first shrubs or dwarf forms of trees appear, and then to the south, as summer temperatures increase and the duration of the growing season, trees, mainly conifers, also appear. In habitats unfavorable for woody vegetation, tundra communities of southern variants are common: for example, shrubs.

Further south begins the zone of coniferous forests, which is often called the taiga. Initially, this name belonged only to forests, but then it moved to coniferous forests of other regions of the temperate zone. northern hemisphere. The southern border of the taiga in Eurasia goes from 60-61°N. sh. on the Scandinavian peninsula to the mouth of the river. Narva, then r. Oka, further south of the sources of the river. Kamy, through the Ural mountains; in Western Siberia, it is located approximately on the 54th parallel and then passes through the south of Central Siberia to the Pacific coast, along the south of Sikhote-Alin and about. Hokkaido. In North America, it stretches from about. Vancouver through the Cordillera to the headwaters of the river. Mackenzie, Lake Winnipeg, north of the Great Lakes, to the mouth of the river. St. Lawrence. The conditions for the existence of the organic world in this zone are diverse, and biocenoses are also different.

Within the territory of the zone, the average temperatures of the warmest month are 10-19°C, the coldest can be both relatively high, even positive (up to 3°C), and very low (up to -40°C). The growing season is rather short, and with temperatures above 10°C lasts from one to four months. Snow cover lasts throughout the winter. Precipitation exceeds evaporation, so there is excess moisture. Permafrost is quite widespread in the zone, which contributes to waterlogging of the upper layers of the soil. With excessive moisture, plants are in conditions of physiological dryness due to low temperatures and the acidic reaction of soil water.

Vegetation and soils

Forest-forming tree species have some common properties: they have needles that, as a rule, do not fall for the winter, most of them have superficial root system. However, with different relief structures and on different soils, the conditions for soil formation and plant habitation are not the same. Hence - a huge variety of forest communities within the zone.

In the European taiga, spruce and pine forests predominate on glacial and water-glacial deposits. Spruce forests of various types, predominantly with European spruce in the upper tier, grow mainly on clay and loamy soils under normal moistening conditions. These forests are dark, shade-tolerant plants with a predominance of vegetative reproduction live under their canopy, many evergreen or winter-green species, no ephemera. In the undergrowth, juniper, willow, currant, mountain ash are common, in the grass cover - sorrel, wintergreen, two-leaved mahnik, septenary, ferns, shrubs: blueberries, lingonberries. There are many green mosses, and sphagnum dominates in wetlands. Pine forests grow on sandy soils. Pines can even grow on rocks, fixing themselves in rock crevices, and on wetlands. Scots pine, with its powerful root system, can live where other species die, the same spruce, which has a superficial root system. But pine seedlings do not tolerate shading, so they are easily crowded out by other trees. In light coniferous pine forests, moss-lichen cover prevails and shrubs, xerophytes (for example, cat's paw, young) and psammophytes - sandy cumin, etc. are common. On swampy soils, the tree cover is depressed, but still survives. In the European taiga there is an admixture of small-leaved trees, and secondary alder, birch, and aspen forests grow on the site of clearings and fires.

In Western Siberia, poorly drained lowland plains are dominated by spruce-fir dark forests. Siberian spruce and fir dominate here with a rather large admixture of cedar pine. Central Siberia is almost completely occupied by cold-resistant light larch forests, which lose soft needles for the winter. Larch grows better than other species in permafrost and sharply continental climate. Two types of larch prevail: Siberian and Dahurian. In the Far East, the mountain taiga is distributed mainly with the dominance of Ayan spruce and white fir. There are even more thickets of elfin cedar - a creeping form of a special species from the pine family. They cover the slopes of mountains and hills with a continuous carpet.

In North America, the taiga zone also stretches from ocean to ocean. Its northern border reaches the 48th parallel in the east of the mainland, and its southern border descends much further south than anywhere else in Eurasia. The species composition of the American taiga is much more diverse than the Eurasian one.

To those genera that are common in Eurasia, more heat-loving hemlocks, pseudo-hemlocks, thujas, sequoias are added. Some of them are found in East Asia and the Himalayas, which indicates their former floristic connection with North American regions. Spruces, pines, firs, larches are represented, as a rule, by their own special species. There are many small-leaved trees in this taiga, which also belong to endemic species.

Cordilleras serve as a significant barrier to the spread of plants and animals. Although the zone of coniferous forests in the mountains is not interrupted and is a mountain taiga with conditions characteristic of the entire zone, the forests of the Pacific coast differ sharply from the eastern, so-called Canadian taiga. Here, both the disunity of the regions at the last stages of the development of the organic world after the formation of the mountain barrier, and the differences in the modern conditions for the existence of life, affect.

The Canadian taiga is very similar to the northern forests of Eurasia.

Canadian spruce (white) and black, American larch, close to Dahurian larch, dominate here. Of the small-leaved species, paper birch and American aspen are common. As can be seen, the forest-forming tree species are the same as in Eurasia, but are represented by endemic species. Balsam fir, Canadian hemlock (eastern hemlock), eastern thuja grow from typically American trees. On sandy soils, pine forests are dominated by Banks pine. In the shrub layer and grass cover, there is a very strong resemblance to the forests of Eurasia.

Pacific coniferous forests are confined to the western foothills of the Cordillera and are common in the lower tier of the mountains. They are very different from the Canadian and Eurasian taiga. In the northern part, these forests have some resemblance to the forest vegetation of East Asia.

Larch forests dominate here with Alaskan larch close to Dahurian. To the south, in a very humid climate with mild winters and cool summers, peculiar "rain" forests are common, original both in structure and in species composition. Despite abundant moisture, there is almost no stagnant water here, since the relief is dissected. The forests are dominated by large conifers: Sitka spruce, douglas (Douglas "fir", or pseudo-hemlock), western hemlock (hemlock), giant thuja (folded, red "cedar"). They are often joined by balsam fir, red spruce, yellow and Murray pines and some broad-leaved species: maple, linden, elm. The forests are multi-layered, usually polydominant, with a dense shrub and grass cover. Fallen trunks and branches of trees often form a kind of flooring two to three meters above the ground. Mosses and lichens hang from the trees, and appearance these forests sometimes resemble humid tropical ones, especially their mountainous variant. The trees of the upper tier are long-lived and can reach gigantic sizes: the height of the douglas is up to 75 m (some specimens are up to 100 m), the folded thuja is up to 60 m, the trunk diameter of the hemlock is up to 6 m. The entire upper tier has, as a rule, height 50-70 m. In the second tier there are more undersized coniferous and deciduous species. To the south, these forests reach 40-50 ° N. sh. According to the thermal regime, broad-leaved species should already grow here, but under conditions of high precipitation, conifers dominate in the upper tier, and broad-leaved species occupy the lower tiers. The already listed species are joined by white fir, sugar pine, incense cedar, in the very south - evergreen sequoia. In the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, at an altitude of 1500 m, groves of the giant sequoiadendron (mammoth tree, wellingtonia) have been preserved, which, like the sequoia, belongs to the ancient Taxodiaceae family. These trees live up to 1500 (or maybe more) years and reach a height of up to 100 m and a trunk diameter of up to 15-18 m. Groves mammoth trees now carefully guarded, each tree is taken into account and under supervision.

The flora of American coniferous forests is highly endemic. Inherent only in them are 50 species of spruce, 30 out of 40 - fir, 80 out of 100 - pine. The forests of the west coast are as rich as possible in endemic and relict species.

Under the coniferous forests of both continents, podzols are most often formed.

They are distinguished by the presence of a white washout horizon from the surface or at a very shallow depth, consisting of finely dispersed silica. The influx horizon is dense platy, red-brown in color, enriched in iron oxides. Such soils are formed on coarse-grained weathering crusts of crystalline rocks, on moraine loams, fluvioglacial sands, with sparse grass cover under coniferous litter. When coniferous litter decomposes, acids are formed, and the reaction of the soil solution in podzolic soils is acidic. Mobile fulvic acids contribute to the leaching of substances from the upper horizons to the lower ones, where they pass into immobility. Humus does not accumulate. Only in the presence of leaf litter of the lower tiers and undergrowth, the development of grass cover in some types of coniferous forests, soddy-podzolic soils with a more or less powerful humus horizon are formed. Under the forests of the Pacific coast, due to the deciduous litter of the lower tiers, brown forest soils with a dark-colored relatively powerful humus horizon.

Significant spaces within the zone of coniferous forests are occupied by wetlands and swamps. All types are common here. The development of sphagnum bogs is especially characteristic of the dark coniferous taiga. Sphagnum mosses settle in the ground cover. They form dense clusters. Mosses have hygroscopic properties, accumulate moisture, and raised bogs with peat bogs are formed in the places of their growth.

Animal world

The fauna of coniferous forests is quite homogeneous throughout the zone. Most animals have thick fur, as they need protection from the cold in winter. They are classified as fur-bearing animals. Many store food or hibernate for the winter. Rodents and birds also feed on the seeds of coniferous trees. Their number depends on the yield of these seeds, because in winter and early spring this is practically the only type of food. These are, chipmunks, forest voles and mice, hares, from birds - nutcrackers, schura, crossbills. The fluctuation of their number entails a change in the number of carnivores that feed on them: martens, sables, lynxes. Large ungulates live in the taiga - moose, in summer deer come here from the more southern, and in winter - from the northern zones. There are predators: wolves, foxes, lynxes, wolverines, minks, bears. Beavers live in ponds. All these animals are found in the coniferous forests of both continents, but they are represented by different species, subspecies or varieties, which usually differ little from each other in their lifestyle and appearance. There are endemics on every continent. The forests of North America, especially the Pacific, are the richest in them. In the subfamily of badgers, the skunk is endemic, from rodents - the muskrat or musky rat. The tree porcupine - needlewool (porkupin) in Eurasia lives in the subtropics, and in North America - in the taiga. Wood bison have been preserved in the reserves of North America, and bison in Eurasia, which were hardly saved under artificial conditions from complete extinction by repeated crossing of single surviving specimens with american bison and further selection according to traits inherited from bison.

The biological productivity of coniferous forests is higher than that of tundra and forest-tundra, but it varies considerably within the zone. The most productive biocenoses are located in the southern part of the Pacific forests of North America. According to this indicator, they are not inferior to broad-leaved forests. Both the Far Eastern and Western European taiga are productive on the southern outskirts of the zone - up to 100 c/ha. But in most of the territory of coniferous forests, biological productivity ranges from 40 to 80 q/ha.

The coniferous forests of both continents have been significantly altered by man. They have long been cut down, suffered from fires. And for natural reasons, and through the fault of people, hundreds and thousands of hectares of forests burn out every year. This is facilitated by dry summer weather, which often lasts a long time in a continental climate. The restoration of taiga biocenoses is proceeding slowly. First, birch forests, aspen forests, and alder forests grow on clearings and burned areas. Under their canopy, it is quite good, although the spruce forest is slowly regenerating, and light-loving pine has to be grown artificially, taking care of the plantings. The culture of forestry, including reforestation, is high in Canada, Sweden, and Finland. Within our country forestry is not carried out rationally. Often, branches and unusable trunks remain in cleared areas, which complicates reforestation and protection from forest fires. The reduction in the area of ​​coniferous forests leads to the disappearance of many useful plants and animals and causes irreparable damage to the entire natural complex of these territories. However, there are also new forest areas created by man. Cultivation of forests pursues different goals, the main one being the production of timber. Sometimes pine forests are planted to fix the sands. That is why there were large areas of pine forests in the Landes on the Biscay coast of France, where the moving sands of the dunes had to be stopped. The magnificent pine forests on the dunes of the Curonian Spit and the coast of the Gulf of Riga are of the same origin.

The strict outlines of conifers are always appropriate in any landscape design. In summer, they are perfectly combined with the lawn and other flowering crops, shading them favorably, and in winter they save the backyard with their bright branching from dullness and lifelessness. In addition, they endlessly give clean air enriched with healing essential oils. The unjustified superstitions about the prohibitions of growing such crops in private courtyards have sunk into oblivion. Modern gardeners can no longer imagine their garden without evergreen ornaments. And there is plenty to choose from. Take a closer look at which of the coniferous trees is right for you.

Did you know? Coniferous trees lead the list of long-lived plants. The oldest spruce found in Sweden today is considered to be Old Tikko, which, according to various estimates, is more than 9.5 thousand years old. Another "old-timer" - the Methuselah intermountain pine, has been growing in the USA for 4846 years. In general, for conifers, the normal age is measured in millennia. Only 20 ancient trees are known on the globe, of which only one is deciduous - this is a sacred ficus from Sri Lanka, which is 2217 years old.

Tall slender coniferous fir trees in the garden very effective both in single and in composite plantings. Some craftsmen build unique hedges from them. Today's spruce is not only a tall large culture familiar to us since childhood with a cone-shaped narrow crown and dry lower branches. The assortment of prickly beauties is regularly renewed with decorative varieties. For planting in personal plots in demand:

• "Acrocona" (when mature reaches a height of 3 m and a width of 4 m);
• "Inversa" (spruce trees of this variety up to 7 m high and up to 2 m wide);
• "Maxwellii" (is a compact tree up to 2 m high and wide);
• "Nidiformis" (such a spruce no more than a meter high and about 1.5 m wide);
• "Ohlendorfii" (the trunk of an adult tree stretches up to 6 m, the crown is up to 3 m in diameter);
• "Glauca" (spruce with blue needles, this beautiful garden decoration is often used in compositions with deciduous trees).

Fir is a magnificent tree from the Pine family (Pinaceae). Among other conifers, it stands out with purple cones growing upwards and flat needles. The needles are shiny and soft, they are dark green above, and each is marked with a white stripe below. Young seedlings grow for a very long time, and from the age of 10, development accelerates and lasts until the roots die. Despite the prevalence of fir, many find it difficult to answer whether it is a coniferous or deciduous tree. Among gardeners, varieties of decorative balsam fir are in demand:

• "Columnaris" (columnar);
• "Prostrate" (branches grow horizontally, their length is up to 2.5 m);
• "Nana" (tree up to 50 cm high and 1 m wide, rounded flattened crown);
• "Argenta" (silver needles, each needle has a white tip);
• "Glauca" (blue needles with a wax coating);
• "Variegata" (distinguished by yellow spotting on needles).

Juniper is the leader in the list of coniferous trees in terms of bactericidal properties. The plant appeared more than 50 million years ago. Today, scientists classify it to the Cypress family and distinguish about 70 species, of which only nine are cultivated in Ukraine.

Among the juniper variety there are 30-meter giants and 15-centimeter elfins. Each of them has its own characteristics, not only in the form of a crown and hairpins, but also in the requirements for conditions and care. In the garden, such a culture will look in rockeries, rock gardens, and as a hedge. Most often on personal plots there are varieties of ordinary juniper:

• "Gold Cone" (the height reaches 4 m, and the width is 1 m, the branches form a dense narrow-conical shape);
• "Hibernika" (trunk of a mature tree up to 3.5 m high, crown narrow, columnar, 1 m in diameter);
• "Green Carpet" (dwarf variety up to 50 cm tall and 1.5 m in volume, ground cover crown);
• "Suecica" (the shrub stretches up to 4 m and grows in breadth up to 1 m, the crown is columnar).

Important! In the garden, junipers are recommended to be planted away from fruit trees, as they are conductors of a disease such as rust. From a preventive point of view, fruit crops are separated by a protective strip of tall plants, regularly inspected for damage to the branch, pruned as necessary. The affected areas are treated with fungicides.

Do you know which conifers are more common in aristocratic English gardens? Of course, cedars. They kind of frame the entire garden landscape. Such trees have become an integral part of the decoration of the front door or the vast lawn in front of the house. Cedars simultaneously create an atmosphere of home comfort and solemnity. In addition, dwarf forms are widely used for bonsai.

In their natural form, these trees rise majestically in mountain ranges at an altitude of up to 3 thousand meters above sea level and seem like real giants. Wild breeds grow up to 50 m in height. And although mankind has known about this plant for more than 250 years, scientists still cannot come to a single number of cedar species.

Some argue that all mature trees are identical and suggest the existence of only the Lebanese species, while others additionally distinguish the Himalayan, Atlas and short coniferous species. The database of the international project "Catalogue of Life", which is engaged in the inventory of all species of flora and fauna known on the planet, contains information about the above species, with the exception of the short coniferous.

Taking into account the experience of the experts - participants of the project, who managed to collect information about 85% of all life on the globe, we will adhere to their classification of all conifers.

Did you know? Purchased pine nuts, which are loved by many, actually have nothing to do with cedar. The grains of genuine cedars are inedible, unlike the seed of the cedar pine. It is she who in narrow circles is called the Siberian cedar.

Cedar has many decorative forms, differing in the length of the needles, the color of the needles, and in size:

• "Glauca" (with blue needles);
• "Vreviramulosa" (with sparse long skeletal branches);
• "Stricta" (columnar crown is formed due to dense, short branches, slightly raised upwards);
• "Pendula" (branches fall down easily);
• "Tortuosa" (distinguished by sinuous main branches);
• "Nana" (dwarf variety);
• "Nana Pyramidata" (short tree with upward branches).

These evergreens from the genus Cypress in their native environment grow up to 70 meters in height and are very reminiscent of cypresses. Through the efforts of breeders, the culture of such coniferous trees is actively replenished with the names of new varieties that will satisfy every taste.

In landscape design, undersized varieties are often used to create hedges, medium trees are planted singly or in compositions, dwarfs are settled in rock gardens and mixborders. The plant easily fits into all design ensembles of garden design, it is distinguished by fluffy and soft needles. When you hit the needles, you will feel a pleasant touch, not a bristly tingle.

Dwarf varieties that do not exceed 360 cm in height are very popular with gardeners. Such popularity is due to the versatility and decorativeness of coniferous bushes. Today the most popular varieties are:

• "Ericoides" (thuja-shaped cypress up to 1.5 m high, shock-shaped);
• "Nana Gracilis" (by the age of 10 it grows up to half a meter, the crown is round or conical);
• "Ellwoodii" (a tree with a columnar crown, transforms into a pyramidal crown with age, grows up to 1.5 m by the age of ten);
• "Minima Aurea" (the plant is dwarf, its crown resembles a rounded pyramid);
• "Compacta" (distinguished by dense branches, neat crown up to 1 m high);

Important! Dwarf varieties "Gnom", "Minima", "Minima glauca", "Minima aurea" winter very badly. Under the snow cover, they will not freeze, but they can sweat. It is recommended to monitor the density of snow.

In the natural environment, these plants are evergreen trees or shrubs with a crown in the shape of a cone or pyramid, a slender trunk covered with thick bark, foliage pressed to the branches and cones ripening in the second year. Scientists know about 25 species of cypress, of which about ten are used in horticulture. Moreover, each of them has its own requirements and whims for growing conditions and care. Common varieties of cypress:

• "Benthamii" (graceful crown, bluish-green needles);
• "Lindleyi" (distinguished by bright green needles and large cones);
• "Tristis" (columnar crown, branches grow down);
• "Aschersoniana" (undersized form);
• "Сompacta" (cypress develops in the form of a shrub, has a rounded crown and bluish needles);
• "Сonica" (pin-shaped crown and blue needles with a smoky shade, does not tolerate frost);
• "Fastigiata" (stocky form with smoky blue needles);
• "Glauca" (crown tends to be more columnar, silver needles, not hardy).

Based on the name, many do not consider this tree to be coniferous and are deeply mistaken. In fact, larch belongs to the Pine family and is the most common species of coniferous crops. Outwardly, this tall, slender tree looks like a Christmas tree, but every autumn it sheds its needles.

The larch trunk in favorable conditions can reach a diameter of 1 m and 50 m in height. The bark is thick, covered with deep furrows Brown color. The branches grow chaotically upwards at an angle, forming an aura cone-shaped crown. Needles 4 cm long, soft, flattened, bright green. Botanists distinguish 14 types of larch. The following varieties are popular in horticulture:

• "Viminalis" (weeping);
• "Corley" (cushion);
• "Repens" (with creeping branches);
• "Cervicornis" (twisted branches);
• "Kornik" (spherical, used as a scion on a stem);
• "Blue Dwarf" (characterized by short stature and bluish needles);
• "Diana" (slowly stretches up to 2 m, the crown resembles a ball, the branches are slightly spiral, the needles are smoky green);
• "Stiff Weeper" (distinguished by long sprouts creeping along the soil, needles with a bluish tint, often grafted onto a trunk);
• "Wolterdinger" (the crown is dense, similar to a dome, it develops slowly).

About 115 species of pines (Pinus) are known in the world, but seventeen species are common in Ukraine, and only eleven of them are cultivated. From other conifers, pines differ in fragrant needles located on branches in bunches of 2 to 5 pieces. Depending on their number, the breed of pine is determined.

Important! In the open air, pine roots dry out after 15 minutes. Pine planting is best planned for April-May or mid-September.

For garden collections, breeders have bred many miniature forms with slow growth. In large-scale forest park areas, giant natural species of pines are more common. In small adjoining areas and in the backyard, low-growing varieties of pines will look spectacular. Such evergreen bushes can be identified in a rock garden, on a lawn or in a mixborder. Mountain pine varieties are popular, which in the wild is found on Western European slopes and reaches a height of 1.5 to 12 m:

• "Gnom" (characterized by a crown height and diameter of 2 m, needles up to 4 cm long);
• "Columnaris" (shrub up to 2.5 m high and up to 3 m wide, long and dense needles);
• "Mops" (trunk up to 1.5 m high, branches form a spherical shape);
• "Mini Mops" (shrub reaches up to 60 cm, grows up to 1 m in diameter, cushion-shaped crown);
• "Globosa Viridis" (pine shrub height and width about 1 m, ovoid shape, needles up to 10 cm long).

Compact columnar arborvitae of ornamental varieties are found in almost every botanical garden and park. R Asthenia from the Cypress family is cultivated in Ukraine exclusively as an evergreen decoration. Gardeners in the reviews note the culture's resistance to decay, severe frosts and drought.

Thuja has a powerful superficial rhizome, branches growing upwards, forming the shape of a column or pyramid, scaly dark leaves, small cones that ripen in the first year. Weeping, creeping and dwarf varieties are also bred. Of these, varieties of the western thuja (occidentalis) are in the lead, which is distinguished by a fast-growing powerful trunk, reaching a height of 7 m, and branching up to 2 m in diameter. The needles of such a shrub always have green color, regardless of the season. The variety "Cloth of Gold" is distinguished by a rich orange tint of needles, in winter the branches acquire a copper tint. Such specimens are best cultivated in shady areas with neutral soil.

Did you know? Thuja spread in Europe thanks to the king of France, Francis the first, who was a fan of the unique cultures that appeared in his garden at Fontainebleau. He called the plant the "tree of life" and ordered that large areas around the palace be planted with it. After 200 years, thuja was already cultivated in the east of Europe. At the same time, inexperienced gardeners were often disappointed, because they grew a marvelous tree from seeds, and instead of the expected "Columna" they got a giant 30-meter monster with rare branches. It is this thuja that grows in its natural environment.

A dense crown in the form of a narrow 7-meter column is created by branches of the medium-sized variety "Columna". It can be seen from afar by dark green needles with a brilliant sheen, which does not change either in winter or in summer. Such a tree is frost-resistant, not demanding in care. For small gardens, compact arborvitae of the "Holmstrup" variety are suitable, which grow up to 3 meters in height and branch out in a volume of up to 1 m, forming a lush conical shape of rich green color.

The variety is characterized by increased frost resistance, tolerates pruning well, is used mainly for creating hedges. One of the best varieties arborvitae with a conical crown gardeners consider "Smaragd". An adult tree reaches 4 m in height and 1.5 m in width. In young specimens, the branches form a narrow cone, and as they age, it expands. The needles are juicy, green with a glossy sheen. In care requires moist soil.

It is a very decorative evergreen columnar tree, reaching a height of 20 meters in adulthood. The shoots grow intensively, annually adding up to 1 m. The branches are covered with scaly leaves, develop in the same plane. The fruits are small. For many, such a wonderful name is a discovery, so in Ukraine you can only meet cupressocyparis in the areas of advanced collectors and ardent gardeners. In its native UK, where the hybrid is cultivated, it is used to create a hedge, especially since the culture is easily adapted after pruning. In Ukraine, the most common varieties of cupressocypress Leyland:

• Castlewellan Gold. It is characterized by resistance to winds and frosts, not demanding in care. It has a bright golden crown. Young branches purple.
• Robinson's Gold. Dense green branches form a pin-shaped wide crown of a bronze-yellow color.
• Leithon Green. It is a tree with an openwork crown of yellowish-green color. The branches are arranged asymmetrically, the trunk is clearly visible.
• Green Spire. A hybrid with bright yellowish leaves and a slightly columnar form.
• "Haggerston Grey". Differs in loose gray-green branches.

Important! Cupressocyparis grows best on fresh, sufficiently moist and mineral-rich substrates, regardless of pH. It is not recommended to plant a plant on waterlogged or dry carbonate lands.

In Japan, this majestic coniferous giant is considered the national tree. It can be found not only in wild forests and on mountain slopes, but also in the design of park alleys. Evergreen cryptomeria grows by the age of 150 to a height of 60 m, in favorable conditions its trunk cannot be hugged - in girth it can reach 2 m.

Branches with a light or dark shade of needles create a narrow dense crown. In some trees, the needles are filled with a reddish or yellowish tone for the winter. To the touch they are not prickly, in appearance they are short, subulate. Cones are round, small, brown, ripen throughout the year. Botanists classify cryptomeria to the Cypress family and distinguish it into a single species. The eastern origin of the culture explains its parallel names.

The people often call the tree "Japanese cedar", which causes indignation among scientists, since cryptomeria has nothing to do with cedar. The adverbs "shan" (Chinese) and "sugi" (Japanese) are also used. Contemplating a majestic tree in the wild, it is hard to even imagine that it can be grown in a home garden or in an apartment. But breeders took care of this by creating many decorative dwarf forms, reaching a height of no more than 2 m. spherical "Compressa", "Globosa".

These are evergreen trees or shrubs belonging to the Yew family, with purple-smoky bark of a smooth or lamellar structure and soft long needles. Scientists distinguish 8 species of the genus, which are common in Europe, North America, Africa and East Asia. In Ukraine, only berry yew (European) grows in its natural environment.

The view is a big tree up to 20 m tall with reddish-brown bark, lanceolate leaves with a narrowed base on short legs. The needles are glossy dark green above and light matte below. In care, these representatives of coniferous trees replenish the list of undemanding crops. Yew needles are dangerous for animals, can provoke severe poisoning and even death. Garden varieties of yew amaze with a wide range. Due to the good adaptation of the plant to pruning, it is used to create borders and various green figures. Each species has its own characteristics. The most common varieties:

• "Aurea". Dwarf yew up to 1 m high, with dense small yellow needles.
• "Pyramidalis". Low pyramidal shape, becomes loose with age. The needles are longer at the base of the branches and shorter at the top. Bush height 1 m, width 1.5 m.
• "Capitata". The crown is in the form of a skittle, grows rapidly, has one or more trunks.
• "Columnaris". The crown is wide columnar. With age, the apex becomes wider than the base.
• Densa. Slow growing, female plant, crown wide, flattened.
• "expansa". Vase-shaped crown, stemless, with an open center.
• Farmen. Low-growing yew with a wide crown and dark needles.

Did you know? Pharmaceutical companies have been using yew raw materials for the manufacture of drugs for malignant tumors for more than 20 years. The berry yew, common in our country, is known for its healing properties for cancers of the mammary glands, ovaries, intestines, stomach, and hormonal imbalance. In Europe, after trimming hedges, gardeners take yew branches to specialized points for further processing. You can recommend the article to your friends!

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