Korean fir: types and varieties, planting and care, reviews, photos

Korean fir is an excellent option for landscaping. It is grown both in open areas and at home. The development of a tree is influenced by the planting location, the supply of moisture and nutrients.

Description of Korean fir

Korean fir is a representative of the Pine family. Its name comes from the German “fichte”, which translates as “spruce”. The plant is valued for its beautiful appearance and unpretentiousness.

The evergreen plant has a powerful root system. Young trees have smooth, thin, grayish bark. Over time, the surface becomes thicker and cracks appear on it.The height of Korean fir reaches 15 m. The trunk diameter is from 0.5 to 0.8 m. The crown is wide, cone-shaped.

Young branches are yellow, becoming purple with age. The buds are resinous, spherical. The needles are thick, up to 15 mm long, hard, dark green on top and silvery below. The cones are cylindrical, up to 7 cm long and up to 3 cm in diameter. Pollination occurs by wind. When the seeds ripen, the scales on the cones become rusty and fall off.

Where does Korean fir grow?

Korean fir or Abies Koreana is found naturally on the Korean Peninsula. The tree prefers southern regions and altitudes from 1000 to 1900 m. The plant forms clean forests or lives in the vicinity of Ayan spruce and stone birch.

Fir appeared in Europe in 1905. The tree has been known in the USSR since 1939. Its features are being studied by workers at the BIN Botanical Garden in St. Petersburg. In Russia, Korean species are only gaining popularity. They can be grown in warm regions, the middle zone, Siberia, the Urals and the Far East.

Korean fir in landscape design

In landscape design, Korean fir is used for landscaping. It is planted in park areas. The tree looks good in single and group plantings. It is placed next to maple, pine, spruce, and larch. Low-growing varieties are placed next to shrubs and ground cover flowers.

Attention! Korean fir does not tolerate gas pollution in cities. Therefore, it is used to decorate suburban areas.

In summer cottages, the tree becomes the central part of the composition. Korean fir grows slowly. It is placed against the backdrop of a lawn, next to alpine slides, houses and gazebos. Perennial shade-loving grasses are planted under Korean fir.It is also convenient to use it to create a hedge together with other trees.

Types and varieties of Korean fir with photos

There are many varieties of Korean fir. They differ in crown shape, winter hardiness, and color of needles and cones.

Korean fir Icebreaker

Korean fir Icebreaker is a unique variety bred in Germany. This is a dwarf hybrid with a spherical crown. In 10 years it grows up to 25 cm in height and up to 50 cm in width. A plant over 25 years old reaches 80 cm in height, with a crown circumference of no more than 120 cm.

The Icebreaker variety has many branched short shoots. The needles are twisted, silvery on the underside. Externally, the plant resembles a ball filled with fragments of ice.

For the hybrid, choose a lighted place. The plant fits well into rock gardens. Drained soil is prepared for it, which allows moisture to pass through well. Winter hardiness – down to -23 °C.

Korean fir Blue Magic

Variety Blue Magic - Korean fir with blue needles. At the age of 10 years it does not exceed 1 m. An adult tree has a girth of up to 2 m and a height of up to 2.5 m. The needles are short, but densely located. When grown in a sunny place, the plant acquires a silvery tint, and green tones appear in the shade.

Cones appear on a young tree. They are numerous and violet or purple in color. The crown shape is elongated or pyramidal. The Blue Magic variety is characterized by increased resistance to diseases. Without shelter, the plantings tolerate winter frosts down to -23 °C.

Korean fir Bonsai Blue

The Bonsai Blue variety is distinguished by its unusual growth. During the first 8 years, the tree grows in width and takes on an asymmetrical shape. Then the apical shoot appears. At the age of 10 years it reaches a height of 0.5 m and a girth of 1 m.By this time, there are already numerous cones on the branches.

The needles are blue-green in color, soft and flat. The annual growth is about 5 cm. An adult plant grows up to 3 m. The Bonsai Blue variety is planted in both sun and partial shade. The hybrid is characterized by high winter hardiness. Without shelter, it tolerates frosts down to -29 °C.

Korean fir Diamond

Korean fir of the Brilliant variety is a valuable plant that belongs to natural dwarfs. Has compact dimensions. The shape is flat, spherical. Growth vigor is low. By the 10th year, the height does not exceed 0.4 m and the width - 0.6 m.

The Diamond variety has short, soft and fragrant needles. The needles are bright green on top and silver-blue underneath. The annual growth is up to 4 cm. The plant is shaded for the winter. It is not afraid of frosts down to -29 °C.

Advice! The Diamond variety is grown in gardens and Japanese gardens. Its compact size allows it to be grown at home.

Korean fir Compacta

Compacta is a dwarf Korean fir up to 0.8 m high. Its growth is 5 - 7 cm per year. The needles of the plant are short and soft. They are dark green above and silver-blue below. Young shoots are bright green in color. Cones up to 15 cm long appear on the tree. When ripe, they change color from green to purple and brown.

The Compakta variety has an outstretched cushion-shaped crown. The height of the tree does not exceed 2 m. The circumference of the crown is 1.5 - 3 m. The tree grows slowly and does not tolerate sunburn and stagnant moisture. Its winter hardiness is average, up to -20 °C.

Korean fir Kohouts Ice Breaker

Dwarf hybrid with a flat crown. It has a decorative appearance at any time of the year. At the age of 10 it grows 25 cm high and 50 cm wide.A plant over 25 years old reaches 80 cm in height and 120 cm in girth. The branches are numerous and short. The tree gives an annual growth of 4 cm.

The needles of the Kohoust variety are curled in such a way that its lower silvery side is visible. The crown of the tree is round, cushion-shaped. The Korean Kohout species prefers sunny places and well-drained soil. Korean fir in winter can tolerate temperatures as low as -23 °C without shelter.

Korean fir Molly

According to the description, the Korean Molly fir reaches a height of 4 - 7 m. At the same time, the crown has a girth of up to 3 m. The trees produce many bluish-purple cones 5 cm long. This Korean species grows up to 7 cm per year. It has a smooth and straight trunk. Its shoots branch strongly, extending at an angle in different directions.

The crown of the Molly variety is wide, conical in shape. The needles are thick, flat, and of medium length. The color is rich green with a bluish tint. The tree does not require pruning. Young shoots are bright green. The cones of the plant are large, bluish-violet in color.

The Molly variety prefers sunny areas and is sensitive to temperature changes during the day. In the shade, the branches stretch out and the crown becomes looser. The trees are frost resistant.

Korean fir Oberon

Korean fir Oberon is a dwarf hybrid. It has a cone-shaped crown. The needles are bright green, short and glossy. The height at the age of 10 years is on average 0.4 m, and the width is 0.6 cm. Often the plant does not reach 30 cm. The growth of the tree is up to 7 cm per year.

On the shoots of the plant there are soft needles with curled edges. Vertical cones grow on two-year-old branches. Their scales are dense and resinous.

The Korean variety Oberon needs fertile, moist soil. For the first time after planting, the plant is provided with partial shade. The frost resistance of the hybrid is down to -29 °C.

Korean fir Silberlock

Korean fir Silberlocke is distinguished by its conical crown. Sometimes a plant has several tips. At the age of 10 years, its height reaches from 1.2 to 1.8 m. The needles are curved, which allows you to see their lighter underside. The hybrid got its name precisely because of this property: Silberlocke is translated from English as “silver curl”.

The Korean variety Silberlock develops slowly, its annual growth does not exceed 5 cm. It produces dark purple cones, up to 7 cm long. The plant can be planted in the sun or partial shade, but it is recommended to protect the tree from sunburn.

Korean silver fir

Silver is another representative of the Korean fir with blue cones. This is a low-growing tree, no more than 6 m high. Its crown is narrow, conical in shape, and very dense. In the lower part its diameter is no more than 1.5 m. The needles of the plant are short, no more than 2 cm in length. On one side the needles have a bluish-green tone, on the other - silver. The color of the needles is very bright compared to other varieties.

Numerous cylindrical cones up to 7 cm long grow on the shoots. Their growth begins at a young age. After ripening, the cones have a green, purple and reddish color.

Important! The Korean variety Silver prefers sunny areas, but the plant does not tolerate heat well. During drought, shoots are sprayed with warm water in the morning and evening.

Korean fir Tundra

A dwarf variety, it has a symmetrical, dense, cushion-shaped crown. Its height is up to 40 cm, and its girth is no more than 0.6 m.At the age of 10 years, the tree grows up to 30 cm and develops slowly.

Young shoots are bright green in color. The needles do not change color in winter. The plant's needles are soft, short, glossy, and silver on the underside. The variety is unpretentious, tolerates shade well, but is sensitive to lack of moisture and develops worse on sandy soils. Its winter hardiness is up to -29 °C.

Growing Korean fir in the Moscow region

Korean fir takes root well in the Moscow region. It is best to buy a seedling from a local nursery. Such plants are adapted to the conditions of the middle zone.

Most of the region belongs to the fourth climate zone. For planting, select varieties that can withstand temperatures as low as -29 °C. If you use less winter-hardy hybrids, then there is a high risk of their tops freezing. Such plants definitely need shelter for the winter.

The best varieties for growing in the Moscow region:

Bonsai Blue;
Diamond;
Oberon;
Tundra.

Planting and caring for Korean fir

Seedlings under four years old are selected for cultivation. Korean spring fir is planted in April. For work, it is better to wait for a cloudy day when there is no direct rays of the sun. A prerequisite is fertile, moist soil. The tree grows well on loam. If moisture stagnates in the soil, then river sand is added to it or a drainage layer is made at the bottom of the pit. Broken brick or expanded clay is used as drainage.

Korean fir can be planted in autumn. Then choose the period at the end of summer or beginning of autumn. Plants take root in a new place before the onset of cold weather. The order of work does not depend on the selected period.

Instructions for planting fir:

Holes with a diameter of 50 cm to a depth of 60 cm are dug in the area.Dimensions are adjusted depending on the size of the seedling. The pit is left for 2 - 3 weeks to allow the soil to shrink.
2 buckets of water are poured into the bottom. The soil is dug up and a drainage layer 5 cm thick is poured.
The pit is half filled with a substrate containing compost, clay, peat and sand in a ratio of 3:2:1:1. Additionally, 10 kg of sawdust and 250 g of Nitrofoska fertilizer are added to it.
After 3 weeks they begin planting. To do this, fertile soil is poured into the hole to form a hill.
A plant is placed on top, its roots are straightened. The root collar is placed at ground level.
The roots are covered with the remaining substrate, which is thoroughly compacted.
The fir is watered abundantly.

When planting different trees, leave at least 2.5 - 3 m between them. At first, the seedling is not watered. They cover it from the hot sun with paper caps.

Crop care includes watering and fertilizing. After adding moisture, the soil is loosened. A layer of peat or sawdust mulch is poured into the tree trunk circle. Feeding begins from the 2nd – 3rd year. In the spring, 100 g of Kemira fertilizer is placed in the tree trunk circle. Any mineral complex for coniferous trees is suitable for feeding.

For the winter, young fir is covered with agrofibre. The insulation is attached to a wooden frame. Humus or sawdust is poured into the tree trunk circle.

Korean fir trimming

In Korean species, the crown is formed naturally. It is enough to trim dry, broken and diseased shoots. The procedure is carried out in spring or autumn, when there is no active sap flow. Dwarf hybrids do not need such treatment.

Advice! To improve branching, top pruning is practiced for Korean fir.

Features of caring for Korean fir at home

Caring for and growing Korean fir at home has its own characteristics. For planting, choose dwarf hybrids that grow slowly. After purchasing a seedling, it is kept in cool conditions. When the tree adapts, they begin to replant it.

To do this, be sure to purchase a container with drainage holes and a tray. For fir, a pot with a volume of 5 - 10 liters is suitable. Every two years in the fall the tree is transplanted into a larger container. A nutritious neutral substrate is prepared for the fir. The required soil can be purchased at a garden store or obtained by mixing peat, sand and turf soil.

Caring for a tree at home includes spraying with warm water in hot weather. It is also necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out. In spring, fertilizing with complex fertilizer will be effective.

How to propagate Korean fir

To propagate Korean fir, one of the following methods is chosen: seeds, cuttings or layering. The process is quite slow and takes a lot of time.

How to grow Korean fir from seeds

To grow Korean fir from seeds, it is important to properly prepare the cones. The fact is that when they ripen, the seeds immediately scatter, so it is difficult to collect them. It is best to find an immature bud and keep it in a dry place. After it dries, you can remove the seeds and place them in a cool place. Planting material should be kept in the refrigerator or basement at high humidity.

The procedure for growing Korean fir from seeds:

For planting, prepare a substrate consisting of turf soil and sand. Seeds are planted in containers or directly on beds.
In April, the seeds are buried 2 cm. The top of the planting is covered with film. There is no need to water the soil.
The film is periodically turned over to provide access to fresh air.
After 4 weeks, the first shoots appear.
During the season, Korean fir is watered. The soil is loosened and weeded from weed.
For the winter, the plants are covered with spruce branches.

Next year, the seedlings are transferred to a permanent place. In the first 3 - 4 years, the plant reaches a height of 40 cm. During this period, the root system grows. Then the tree develops much faster.

Propagation of Korean fir by cuttings

Cuttings are a method of fir propagation that allows you to preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant. One-year-old shoots with an apical bud are selected from the parent tree. It is recommended not to cut off the shoots, but to tear them off sharply. Then a “heel” is formed on the cutting, which can increase the chance of its rooting.

The procedure is carried out in the spring, before sap flow begins. To protect the cuttings from fungal diseases, they are dipped in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The cut site of the mother tree is treated with garden varnish and wrapped in film.

Advice! For cuttings, select shoots located on the north side and in the middle of the crown.

The procedure for rooting cuttings:

The shoots are placed in a substrate consisting of fertile soil, humus and sand.
Cover the container with a transparent jar and keep warm. The plants are ventilated daily.
For the winter, Korean fir is removed to the basement or cellar. The cuttings are protected from dampness.
In spring, the containers are moved to fresh air. In autumn, fir is planted in a permanent place.

The cutting process takes a long time. The root system of the plant is formed only after 8 - 9 months. During the first 10 years the tree develops slowly. Then the growth force increases and remains so until old age.

Reproduction by layering

For propagation by layering, strong young shoots of fir are selected. In the spring, they are bent to the ground and secured with a metal bracket or wire. Pre-dig furrows 5 cm deep.

The cuttings are looked after throughout the season: watered, weeded, mulched with humus. They are additionally covered for the winter. After 1 - 2 years, the plants are separated from the mother tree and transplanted to a permanent place. It is best to prune the cuttings in several stages.

When propagated by layering, varietal characteristics are not lost. However, this method often fails to preserve the pyramidal crown: the shape of young trees can be curved.

Pests and diseases of Korean fir

Korean fir is resistant to diseases and pests. The greatest danger is caused by fungal infections. The needles on the shoots turn yellow and brown spots spread. These are signs of rust, which is carried by a harmful fungus. Diseased branches are removed, and garden varnish is applied to the cuts. The crown is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture at a concentration of 2%.

Preparations containing copper are effective against fungal diseases. For prevention, plants are treated in early spring after the snow melts. The cause of fungus is high humidity. Thinning the crown and rationing watering help to avoid diseases.

Fir often loses its decorative appearance due to Hermes, a pest of evergreen crops. This is a type of aphid that causes yellowing of shoots. The use of the drug Antio is recommended against it. In early spring, prepare a solution containing 20 g of the product per 10 liters of water. Plantings are sprayed immediately after the snow melts.This treatment is effective against other pests - leaf rollers and shoot moths.

Conclusion

Korean fir is an excellent solution for decorating a suburban area. The tree is characterized by winter hardiness and good growth in the middle zone and colder regions. During the growing season, it is important to monitor soil moisture and fertilize.

Reviews of Korean fir

Burakov Vasily Petrovich, 56 years old, Irkutsk

In our area, common fir is often found. These are tall trees with black bark and soft needles. Six years ago, relatives sent Korean fir to plant at their dacha. Its height did not exceed 0.5 m. I was worried that the tree would not take root and would not be able to withstand the cold. In May I found a sunny place for the seedling. The fir hardly grew during the summer. Covered with agrofibre for the winter. Now the plant reaches 2 m. It produces purple cones every year. Fir looks great against the backdrop of the garden.

Silaeva Anna Ivanovna, 37 years old, Khabarovsk

I have always dreamed of planting a real fir tree on my property. I chose the unusual Korean variety Silberlock with bluish needles. The tree took root well after planting. Every year blue-violet cones appear on it. The fir is growing slowly, but I am completely satisfied with it. According to the manufacturer's promise, its height will reach 4 m in 30 years. In the summer, I always water the plant during drought. Otherwise the tree is unpretentious and very impressive. Once I noticed signs of a fungal disease. After spraying with Skor, the symptoms went away.