Content
Spruces, pines, and junipers are unpretentious, and at the same time, ornamental plants, so planting coniferous trees is very popular among owners of country houses and plots. Landscaping and transformation of the landscape occurs quickly, especially if mature conifers are used. Young seedlings are also suitable for this purpose, as they create coziness and a unique design for a personal garden, cottage, park, or public garden. In order for plants to take root and begin to develop quickly, you need to know the rules and subtleties of planting conifers.
When is the best time to plant conifers?
It is believed that planting coniferous trees can be done all year round. In the spring, as soon as the snow melts, young plants are planted. Roots begin to develop already at an air temperature of +3 oC, they are not afraid of frost. If the buds have begun to grow, then it is worth postponing the event until the fall.
Summer is the time to plant evergreen trees with a closed root system. But there is no guarantee that the plant was not initially in the container, but right before sale. In this case, it will not take root, even if it looks healthy and the necessary conditions are created.
Planting of conifers in the fall is carried out in early September, when the roots are actively growing, or in November, during the beginning of hibernation.
Winter is the ideal period for landscaping. For adult plants, the survival rate at this time is 100%, despite the fact that they are considered extremely capricious.
Is it possible to plant conifers in winter?
Planting conifers in winter has become very popular. This time is most suitable for large trees, large trees. Thanks to the method, no time is wasted on growing seedlings.
There is an explanation for winter planting. In autumn, all life processes slow down, the tree goes into a dormant state, falls asleep and does not suffer from replanting.
In winter, the plant is not in danger of drying out; trees up to 14 m in height can be replanted. Comfortable temperature for this procedure is up to -18 oC. With a further decrease in temperature, branches and roots may freeze and break due to fragility.
How to plant ephedra correctly
Before planting coniferous trees, you should make sure that the earthen clod is well preserved. The roots should not dry out. When digging a hole, they focus on the size of the seedling, the volume of the coma, adding another 20 cm to the parameters. For a small conifer, a hole 50 cm in diameter and 50 cm in depth is enough.
Drainage made of broken brick, expanded clay, and pebbles is placed at the bottom. Humus, sand, and mineral fertilizer can be added to poor soil. On loams it is worth adding sand and peat.
The root system is soaked in a large volume of water immediately before planting. Free the seedling from the container, place it in the center of the hole without deepening the root collar, pour soil into the voids and compact it. Having made an earthen ridge around the planting, water it abundantly. To preserve moisture, mulch the soil around the trunk. At the initial stage, trees are shaded so that they do not burn under the sun's rays.
Further care of coniferous plants consists of periodic watering, spraying with a growth stimulator, and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
When choosing a location, it is worth remembering that the life expectancy of an ephedra is long, the root system is actively developing, so the seedling needs to choose a permanent position for many years. It is necessary to ensure that after planting the trees not only look impressive on the site, but also do not interfere with their growth.
A place of a certain size for planting coniferous trees is allocated depending on whether the plant is a giant, dwarf or creeping species:
- the distance between cedars and firs should be 4 m;
- pine and spruce trees - 3 m;
- yews and junipers – 2 m.
Taking into account these indicators, conifers are planted in a country house, a personal plot, or in a park.
Conifers are not picky about soil; they can grow on sandy and loamy soils. Evergreens love sunny locations. The most light-loving trees include pines, junipers, and larches. Green spruces, thujas, firs, and yews are less demanding.
Seedling preparation
When purchasing coniferous trees, pay attention to their appearance. You should not purchase a seedling from which:
- the needles are dull, brown or withered;
- there are bare shoots;
- too many dry branches;
- the clod of earth is overdried and is falling away from the walls;
- the container contains not a lump of earth, but fresh soil;
- with an open root system, there should be no flaccid roots.
Before planting, coniferous tree seedlings are stored, observing a number of rules requiring:
- do not leave the roots bare, they must be covered with soil;
- it is allowed to cover the plants with a damp cloth;
- It is advisable to spray or dip the needles in water;
- To prevent root hairs from dying, it is necessary to keep coniferous tree seedlings in the shade, in a cool place before planting.
Compliance with the rules for planting conifers and caring for them will lead to the further development of seedlings, non-compliance will lead to death.
How to plant conifers in the fall
If in the spring there is no time to plant conifers, in the fall the planting dates can be postponed until November. This period is optimal: all processes in the trees’ bodies stop, the root system works in slow motion. Until the ground freezes, plants spend their energy only on rooting. If a seedling purchased in a specialized store has a closed root system, its planting involves transferring coniferous trees from a container into a prepared hole. It must be carried out according to all the rules.
While the soil has not cooled too much or frozen, the seedlings are growing roots, so they come prepared for winter, and in the spring they begin to actively develop.
Planting coniferous trees with exposed root systems dug up in the forest often ends unsuccessfully. Sometimes it, even if done in compliance with all the rules, leads to the death of the seedling. The reason is that conifers lose the mycorrhizal fungus, their symbiotic partner. It is vital for transplanted plants.To preserve it, you should dig up a seedling with a large lump of earth and plant it carefully, without shedding it or exposing the roots.
Transplanting conifers in the fall
No matter how well the arrangement of coniferous and deciduous plants is thought out, it is quite difficult to predict the speed of their growth and development. When conifers begin to interfere with their neighbors, the need arises to replant them, since no pruning helps. This procedure is carried out in the fall. There are no problems if the height of the conifer does not exceed human height. Preparation begins several months before transplantation, for which they dig around the trunk around the perimeter of the coma, cutting the roots. In November, the lump is dug up, wrapped in burlap, and transferred to a new place to an already prepared hole. The root collar needs to be deepened a little, protecting it from freezing, and the roots should be straightened. The conifer takes root better if the crown orientation is maintained, that is, the tree is positioned so that the south side does not change to the north, and the west side does not change to the east. Further care of conifers in the fall consists of watering, creating support if necessary and shelter from burns.
What to plant for conifers
It is believed that coniferous trees acidify the soil. Among the shrubs that can grow next to evergreen species, tolerate them and combine with them, there are:
- rhododendrons;
- spirea;
- hydrangeas;
- boxwoods;
- barberries;
- Erica.
For a composition with conifers, herbaceous plants are planted:
- cereals;
- ferns;
- phlox;
- sedums.
The compositions may be different, but the soil quality needs of coniferous trees and their flowering neighbors should be taken into account.
How to care for conifers
After planting, coniferous trees require increased attention.In hot weather, they need watering every other day at the root and along the crown. It is necessary to monitor whether the roots have been washed away by water. Consumption is at least 15 liters per plant.
The installed sun protection is removed two weeks after planting, if it was carried out in the spring, and after complete thawing of the soil, if planted in winter or autumn.
In the future, caring for conifers in a country house, garden or park consists of timely sanitary pruning, fertilizing, mulching the tree trunk, and treating them with drugs to combat diseases and pests.
Watering conifers in autumn
For conifers, the greatest dangers in winter are sunburn and drought. As soon as a thaw sets in, the ambient temperature rises, the needles evaporate moisture, and the roots at this time cannot yet replenish its supply. The plant begins to dry out. To avoid this, in November, before the onset of severe cold and soil freezing, coniferous trees are watered abundantly, supplying 20 - 30 liters of water under the tree. Watering should be adjusted based on weather conditions: increase if the autumn was dry, and, conversely, decrease if the weather was rainy.
When planting conifers before winter, watering is mandatory - in a prepared hole and under the root of an already planted tree.
Top dressing
Conventional complex and nitrogen fertilizers and manure are not suitable for coniferous trees. They cause rapid growth, further yellowing and possible death of plants. The composition of the fertilizer is also important. Evergreen species require magnesium for photosynthesis. It is this component that should be included in the fertilizer intended for coniferous trees.
Experts recommend using mineral fertilizers and organic matter - compost, vermicompost.
Feeding is carried out twice per season - the first time in May, during growth activation, the second time in August. Late application may result in the growth not maturing before winter. For quick absorption, fertilizing is carried out in liquid form into grooves made along the perimeter of the crown. To delay the action - in the form of granules, with their distribution over the entire surface of the tree trunk circle; later it will be necessary to mix the soil.
Loosening and mulching
According to the advice of experts, excessive loosening of the soil has a detrimental effect on fertility, since during the procedure its layers in which bacteria of different types live are mixed. As a result, they find themselves in an unfamiliar environment and die. During the first time after planting, loosening of tree trunk circles is carried out carefully, to a shallow depth. Later, caring for tree trunk circles of coniferous plants in the garden comes down to mulching, which retains moisture and stops growth weed. The best mulch is pine needles, fine bark, gravel. In addition to the decorative function, it also has another function - it easily allows air to pass to the roots. But most importantly, mushrooms live in the needles in symbiosis with trees. They cannot exist separately from each other. The required thickness of the mulch layer is 10 cm.
Trimming and shaping
It is not necessary to prune conifers annually to form a crown. The exception is the sanitary removal of diseased, dry branches.
Periodic pruning is carried out to create hedges and decorate the landscape.
Pruning is carried out at the end of winter and beginning of spring, thereby stimulating the formation of lush branches and reducing the risk of diseases. The exception is larch and cypress: they are trimmed in November.
Pruning is carried out with sharp and disinfected garden shears, pruning shears, and a file.
It is not recommended to remove more than 30% of green mass in one procedure.
To preserve the natural shape of trees, thinning of internal shoots is carried out. The two leading branches and tips of thuja and cypress are cut out. As a result, they become thicker and more attractive.
Sheltering conifers for the winter
After autumn planting, careful covering of conifers is necessary. The purpose of protection is to protect against premature activation of the crown, when the roots located in the frozen ground cannot supply moisture to the needles. In this case, burns of coniferous trees are guaranteed.
Seedlings are protected with burlap or gauze. Covering with plastic film or non-woven material is undesirable, otherwise they may rot or be susceptible to fungal diseases during temporary thaws.
Dwarf forms are considered the most frost-resistant. In winter, caring for coniferous trees of this type consists of covering them with an additional layer of snow, after placing a stone under the branches so that they do not break under the pressure of the snow.
Western thuja, black pine, and some types of junipers do not tolerate frost well at a young age; they require special shelter from the cold.
Individual differences
When planting coniferous trees, the individual characteristics and conditions of their growth, as well as the composition of the soil for different evergreen species, are taken into account.
Spruce
For the tree you need:
- open illuminated place or partial shade;
- lack of close occurrence of groundwater;
- mandatory drainage up to 20 cm;
- planting depth – 60 cm;
- the soil mixture includes turf and leaf soil, peat, sand;
When planting trees, there is no need to compact the soil; air spaces should be left.
Pine
Her preference is open, illuminated places. Please note:
- the soil should include turf soil and sand;
- planting depth – up to 1 m;
- drainage – at least 20 cm;
- The age of the seedling is not younger than 5 years.
Juniper
Garden species of junipers are unpretentious, they need:
- soil made from turf, sand, peat;
- drainage - 15 cm;
- planting depth – 70 cm.
Larch
The tree needs a lighted place and a large area due to its size. Landing features include:
- nutrient mixture consisting of leaf soil, peat;
- drainage on heavy soil (20 cm);
- The age of the seedling is from 4 to 6 years.
Fir
For the development of a coniferous tree you need:
- soil mixture of clay, leaf soil, peat, sand;
- penumbra.
Thuja
Refers to the most unpretentious coniferous trees. Conditions for its growth:
- sunny areas or partial shade;
- soil made of turf, clay, sand;
- drainage – 20 cm.
Features of caring for coniferous trees in different regions
In the harsh conditions of the Ural and Siberian regions, coniferous trees are planted using zoned varieties and species:
- cedar pine;
- fir;
- common and gray Siberian spruce;
- Scots pine;
- western thuja.
In order for the conifer to take root, in the conditions of the Urals and Siberia it is planted in the spring, after the snow has melted. Autumn seedlings require serious shelter, but this does not guarantee survival. The time frame for planting and caring for conifers in the Urals and Siberia depends on their harsh continental climate.
Plant feeding is carried out in the spring, after the soil has thawed and frosts have stopped.Unlike the Moscow region, in the eastern regions they do not fertilize the soil under conifers in August so that shoots have time to form. Pruning in western regions is carried out at the end of winter or early spring, and in the Urals and Siberia - in the spring, before buds open and at the end of summer. For successful wintering, the mulching of the tree trunk circle of coniferous trees is made slightly higher than in the Moscow region: up to 20 cm. If the plants are young, short or have dwarf shapes, it is possible to cover them with ties and special covers. Adult zoned conifers successfully overwinter and subsequently do not require special shelter. It is better to transplant large trees in the eastern regions, as in the Moscow region, in winter.
Conclusion
Planting coniferous trees on the site is a simple but exciting activity. With the help of large-sized and dwarf forms of evergreen plants, you can change any area beyond recognition. Using thujas, yews, junipers, and pines, it acquires a lively, cozy appearance, and caring for them is not burdensome.
