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Like any plant, spruce lives for a limited amount of time. Moreover, this indicator is different for different breeds. Some representatives live no more than 100 years, while others see the change of entire eras.
Lifespan of certain types of spruce
The age of the spruce tree used to decorate New Year's holidays is about 300 years. This is an average durability. However, it is not always possible to live to old age, since there are many people on the planet who want to get wood.
An example of what kind of spruce can grow in a shady coniferous forest
Therefore, environmentalists rightly support the promotion of the conservation of green areas. Periodically, people plant new seedlings. Plants will not be able to reach a venerable age any time soon. During the holidays, environmentalists advise using conifers in flower beds. The plants will not suffer from this in any way.
Black spruce, which grows in America, lives half a century longer. It can be distinguished by its dark purple cones. They contain hundreds of seeds. When ripe, the fruits acquire a crimson color.
Sitka, Siberian and Norway spruces live for about three centuries. The first one lives in Alaska. It is usually used for planting miniature spruce trees, decorating parks and summer cottages. Siberian can be found in Siberia. Thousands of old specimens grow in this region. European crops are used exclusively in landscape design.
The Norwegian variety is also not afraid of frost. The average age of spruce is 340 years. This is a tall plant that reaches 32 m in height.
One of the longest-livers is the red spruce, which has spread throughout Europe. Its age may exceed four centuries. The tree is distinguished from other species by its reddish-brown cones.
The mild climate of Asia allowed the growth of another long-lived species - Japanese spruce; its age limit was 600 years. The plant is characterized by prickly needles and lives on islands of volcanic origin.
The Swedish record holder, who has almost reached 10 thousand years, deserves special attention. Scientists were able to determine the exact age of the tree – 9 thousand 550 years. There is a theory according to which the plant was able to live for so long. Probably, when the old spruce died, shoots grew in its place.
How many years does spruce grow?
The first period of the tree is not characterized by high development rates. The annual growth of young seedlings is about 3 cm. Upon reaching ten years of age, the crop significantly increases in size. The growth increases by 3-5 times. After five years, the spruce reaches its peak development, growing by 70 cm per year.
All species are perfectly adapted to frost
For a spruce to reach human height, it will take about 13 years, provided that the top bud is preserved. The latter forms the longest shoots.If it suffers, the lateral bud will be responsible for growth. This will not affect the maximum age of the spruce, but it will no longer grow so slender.
The plant continues to develop during the first century. This increases not only the height, but also the diameter of the trunk. Of course, it all depends on the variety. For example, ornamental crops add up to 6 cm per year, and dwarf crops even less. The age of ripeness of spruce is approximately the same - 20 years.
How to find out the age of a spruce tree by its rings
Unfortunately, the exact age can only be determined after cutting the trunk. Scientists calculate the number of years lived using rings. This can be done in two ways - by their diameter or number.
The first method is not accurate, since the thickness of the rings varies among different breeds. In addition, this is influenced by growing conditions. So, with frequent precipitation, the diameter can increase by 2 times. Narrow rings indicate poor soil, lack of rainfall, and a cramped growing area. Interestingly, narrow and thick rings can be arranged arbitrarily. This is due to the unpredictability of the weather.
The age of a spruce is determined by the number of rings. If there are 10 of them, it means the plant is only 10 years old; if there are 100 rings, the tree has lived for a century.
It can be difficult to calculate the age of centenarians due to the large number of rings
How to determine the age of a spruce tree without cutting it down
You can find out the age of a coniferous species by indirect signs. These include the height and diameter of the trunk. It should be noted that this calculation method is not accurate.The error is about 28%.
Spruce age by height
You can find out how many years a spruce has lived by looking at the height of the trunk. In this case, they are guided by data on a specific variety, and also take into account different periods of development (in the early stages the tree grows more slowly).
Age of spruce by trunk diameter
To determine the age of a spruce, you can calculate its diameter. Counting is carried out from a distance of 150 cm above ground level. The result is divided by the number Pi and the size of the trunk is obtained. The resulting number is then divided by the average annual growth rate in the area.
How to increase the lifespan of spruce
A plant growing in an urban area lives much shorter. The same applies to foreign climates. For example, American varieties live about 500 years in natural conditions, while in Russia their age does not exceed 200 years.
Coniferous plants do not like a lot of sun. Under ultraviolet light, their needles lose moisture. To extend the life of spruce, you need to provide regular watering.
The culture was created for shaded areas. The exception is when it grows in a coniferous forest. In mixed tracts, the plant forms a second tier, which grows under the crowns of other trees. In this case, the growth rate will be influenced by the dimensions of neighboring crops.
Planting near highways and industrial zones significantly reduces the age of spruce. If it is necessary to place culture within the city limits, it is better to give preference to parks. The tree gets along well under the crowns of poplar and sycamore, which need plenty of light.While deciduous trees will reach for the sun, coniferous trees will safely hide under their crowns.
You shouldn't plant a spruce this way.
The environment in parks is much cleaner than on the road. However, when planting, trees should be placed in a group of the same species. If they are too far apart, the wood quality and age will be inferior to specimens living in the natural environment.
As the tree grows in its natural habitat, the main root decomposes. This reduces resistance to strong winds. This is especially true for the American climate, where hurricanes periodically form.
Roots die off more often in open, dry areas. Even if the area is wet, the surface shoots will absorb water, depriving the upper layers of the soil of the necessary liquid. If the lateral shoots have managed to penetrate deep enough, the crop will be resistant to wind.
Typically, the root begins to decompose by age 15. At this age, the lateral processes undergo active growth. This feature is inherent not only to conifers, but also to some deciduous species. However, the latter have more branched roots, which allows them to survive any bad weather.
On the eve of the holidays, environmentalists advise purchasing an artificial tree
Advice! Spruce is a plant that cannot live in open areas. He definitely needs tall neighbors.
Since storms in forests are not uncommon, proximity to giants can save a tree not only from the sun, but also from breaking branches.
Conclusion
In favorable conditions, spruce lives for many centuries.Some specimens grew for thousands of years before dying out forever. Research by scientists confirms this. For a crop to reach a hundred years of age, it needs shade, moisture, fresh air and a caring gardener.
