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Canadian pine or Hemlock is a rare variety of ornamental spruce. A lush spruce of regular shape fits compactly into the landscape of style gardens. The variety is actively gaining popularity among modern summer residents who want to live away from the city, but in comfort. Due to their ease of care, decorative varieties of Canadian pine can be found in urban landscapes.
Description of Canadian pine
The tree has a beautiful appearance, the splendor is given by slightly curved branches directed upwards. Canadian pine grows up to 50-75 m. The shape of the crown is a regular cone with a rounded top. The root system grows in the upper 25-centimeter layer of soil, so young spruce must be supported and protected from drafts and strong winds. A newly planted tree grows 3-4 cm per year. The life cycle lasts from 100 to 500 years under comfortable growing conditions. In the first 10 years, spruce crown formation and growth are accelerated.
The crown of a wild plant is larger than a decorative one, but has an average density with branches pointing downwards. The needles are prickly and have a green tint with a bluish tint. After 10-20 years, light brown cones appear on each branch.The shape of the fruit is round, slightly elongated, without jagged edges or spines. An adult tree loves abundant watering, grows well in the shade, and tolerates severe frosts down to -50 °C. Pine mainly grows in Canada, although after being brought to the Russian Federation, spruce took root only in the Northern and Central regions of the country.
Decorative varieties of spruce grow up to 1-2.5 m. The needles are only bright green and bluish. Protective sheaths grow at the ends of young branches, which fall off after the crown has fully grown. There are round, spherical and cone-shaped trees. The crown of a young pine tree needs to be shaped through pruning. After 3-4 years of growth, cones of 5-7 cm appear throughout the pine tree. The root system is flexible, goes 40-50 cm underground. The plant is dense, which creates the effect of compact splendor.
Planting and caring for Canadian pine
The time for planting Canadian pine needles can be chosen in any season. Spruce grows favorably in fertilized or low-acid soils. There should be an artificial or natural pond near the tree. If there is none, then an automatic irrigation system is used for frequent watering.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
The planting site is chosen with extensive shade or partial shade. In a dark area, the diameter of the crown grows up to 3 m. Favorable soil for growing Canadian pine is loam mixed with chernozem sand. The planting hole is prepared in the fall. The earth is dug up using a full bayonet shovel. Compost with crushed stone is poured at the bottom, which is dug up before planting.
You can try to grow the plant at home, but it is rarely possible to get high-quality seeds. For planting, purchase a young pine tree 1-2 years old. High quality seedlings have no damage or rust on the needles and trunk. The soil at the base of the roots should not have a white coating, which indicates insufficient watering and the presence of fungal diseases.
A week before planting, the pine is hardened by temperature changes: placed in a dark and cold place for several hours, then kept in a warm and well-lit room for 5-7 hours. The seedling is sprayed with water or watered for 3-4 days in a row with a diluted solution of growth stimulants. Before planting, the roots can be cleared of the soil or planted together with the primary soil.
Landing rules
Following the recommendations when planting guarantees good rooting of the root system. Planting rules are simple and standard for any variety of pine:
- the drainage layer of the soil should be loose, the thickness of the soil should be 30-40 cm;
- pour soil mixed with fertilizers onto the drainage;
- the root system must be examined for damage;
- Only young and strong seedlings are used for planting;
- The favorable season for planting is March or mid-April, when there is a constant above-zero temperature.
At the time of planting, the pine tree is watered abundantly to soften the soil. The planting hole should have the following parameters: depth - 60 cm, width 50 cm. The dug soil is mixed with compost or superphosphates. Having distributed the roots over the fertilized soil, the trunk is covered with the remaining soil until the first shoots. A watering ditch is formed around the needles, then watered: 2-3 liters per seedling.If necessary, the soil is compacted and topped up.
Watering and fertilizing
The rate of watering depends on the life period of the pine tree. Young plants are watered once a week with 5-10 liters in the first year of growth. In the second year, the number of waterings is reduced to 1-2 times a month, but the volume is increased to 20-30 liters. During hot periods, young Canadian pine needles are watered at dawn or after sunset so that the moisture does not evaporate quickly. After acid rain, it is recommended to spray with a strong stream of water, so the needles will not turn yellow. The crown of the ornamental plant is sprayed with water every day.
Fertilizers are applied to the upper layers of the soil by watering or loosening the soil at the roots. Canadian spruce is fed at the time of planting, then annually in the spring and autumn seasons. Fertilizer in granules is scattered around the trunk in small quantities, then watered generously. Liquid fertilizers are diluted in water and added to the soil with each watering. Mineral fertilizers are applied in spring and autumn before preparing the pine tree for winter.
Mulching and loosening
If there is an imbalance in the air environment of the top layer of soil, the pine tree is mulched within the diameter of root growth. For mulch, use hay, peat, last year's pine needles, sawdust, small or large shavings, natural material that will prevent the soil from pouring and provide a long-term greenhouse effect for the roots. Canadian spruce is protected by mulching from the appearance of large numbers weed. The layer of mulch is increased as the pine tree ages and changed every season so that fungal diseases do not have time to develop.
Loosening is carried out weekly, but if there is free time, before each watering.They work with a garden rake or hoe. Weeds grow quickly in improved soil, so in dense thickets, pine may stop growing due to stagnant moisture. The tree trunk circle should be clean of weeds and fallen pine needles. When loosening the soil, do not bury the tools more than 3-5 cm, then the plant is mulched or watered.
Trimming
Canadian pine is one of the varieties of conifers that requires pruning and crown shaping as it grows. Under the influence of shade or nearby fences, the shape of the tree grows asymmetrically. For pruning, use garden shears and pruning shears. Protruding branches are cut to the main contour, which aligns the contour of the tree. In spring, autumn and before preparing for winter, Canadian pine is subjected to sanitary pruning. Tools are disinfected in a diluted solution of manganese if several spruce trees are processed.
Preparing for winter
With the onset of the first frosts, Canadian pine is mulched with a fresh layer of hay, sawdust or peat. In windy regions, the trunk of the needles is additionally lined with juniper or roofing felt. Young seedlings are wrapped in burlap. The trunk, regardless of the age of the tree, is whitened to the first branches. Copper sulfate is added to lime for additional protection against insects. In spring, shelters are not removed until there is no frost or severe night frosts.
Reproduction
To propagate Canadian pine, several purchased seedlings of different ages are used. In the 3rd year of planting, the spruce grows single side shoots, which are cut by a third and planted in a pot. To branch, pinch the top and water the needles generously. An increase of 1-2 cm and the appearance of green shoots signals the favorable development and rooting of the young Canadian pine.
Some gardeners propagate spruce by seeds. Planting time is April or October. Planting material is planted in moist soil, covered with film to create a greenhouse effect, and 2-3 punctures are made. At the first shoots, the seedlings begin to be actively watered. The seedlings are kept in the shade or dark place until the Canadian pine reaches 10-15 cm in height.
Diseases and pests of Canadian pine
The causative agents of fungal diseases can be a lack of moisture or improper mulching, due to which root rot develops. From a lack of water, the needles begin to turn yellow and fall off. Canadian pine can also develop rust, chute or browning. Spruce is protected from fungal parasites by spraying with chemicals. With careful sanitary pruning, removal of fallen needles, and seasonal replacement of mulch, the pine tree will not get sick for a long time.
Conclusion
Canadian pine is a noble coniferous tree that will decorate and emphasize the wealth of the garden owner. Spruce fits organically into classic landscape styles. By following the planting rules and recommendations for caring for Canadian spruce, you can not worry about the health of the tree and enjoy the accelerated growth of the pine tree.
