Today, when choosing woody plants for a summer residence, we try to fit them into a certain style of the estate, finding worthy places in the garden, without thinking about what effect a green "pet" will have on you, forming a beautiful tree or shrub. Often beautiful trees turn into family trees, loved by all family members.

However, meticulous botanists and psychologists who connected to them noticed that some tree silhouettes delight us, while others, on the contrary, depress us, increasing the feeling of anxiety and anxiety.

Various silhouettes of woody plants are created by the shape of their crown. Interesting in its own way irregular, spreading shape, which is found in some species of oaks (Quercus), elms (Ulmus), brittle willow (Salix fragilis), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), white mulberry (Morus alba), etc.

It is important
When admiring the silhouettes of trees, it is important to consider the distance from the point of view. The best viewing distance is considered to be two or three times the height of an adult plant.

In addition to the spreading shape, a number of tree species have natural crisp geometric crowns, but before considering them, let us dwell on some of the laws used in painting and architecture. It is known that the most static is the horizontal line; vertical, directed upward, is moderately dynamic, and an inclined one seems to have lost its balance, falling, therefore it is very dynamic and it is considered to be the most restless, expressing two movements: the dynamics of striving upward and the dynamics of falling. Based on this, it follows that the forms of tree crowns, which are characterized by plastic movement, expressing growth or aspiration upward, have an activating ability.

Conical or pyramidal shape trees have the dynamics of aspiration upward and the dynamics of the fall of the inclined lines of the side sides.

For many trees with a conical crown, the impression of dynamism is enhanced by the stepped outlines of the silhouette formed by the ends of the branches. So, trees with branches raised upward: Siberian spruce ( Picea obovata), common hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus‘Fastigiata’) and others can activate all functions of the human body and promote creative and vital activity, but they have a bad effect on people with choleric temperament. These plants need space to grow evenly. Conifers with arched branches bent upwards: Siberian fir ( Abies sibirica), Serbian spruce ( Picea omorica), Norway spruce ( Picea excelsa), Siberian larch ( Larix sibirica), along with the general stimulating nature of the conical crown, have a somewhat depressing effect.

Trees with branching in strictly horizontal lines: single-colored fir ( Abies concolor), Canadian spruce ( Picea canadensis), prickly spruce ( Picea pungens) - its varieties with horizontally elongated branches have a milder activating effect than the previous ones. Species with downward branches: Lawson's cypress ( Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), juniper virginiana ( Juniperus virginiana), nutkan cypress ( Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), prickly spruce - its varieties with drooping branches, Smith spruce ( Picea smithiana) and others have a depressing effect on a person, supporting feelings of depression and melancholy. However, such forms have a positive effect on dreamy people, philosophers who are prone to solitude and thinking about the meaning of life.

Everything conical shapes trees are good both in solitary and rhythmic plantings, where their effect is enhanced.

Columnar shape tree, outlined by two vertical lines directed upward, creates an image that draws the gaze upward, along a slender and sufficiently balanced volume. Such a tree can be considered moderately stimulating, evoking sublime thoughts and feelings. The dynamics of the growth of the height of a columnar tree is calmer than the dynamics of a conical shape, because this shape usually has rather straight lateral outlines, moreover, located parallel, and not obliquely and in different directions, like in conical trees.

Columnar forms Carpinus betulus'Frans Fontaine), common juniper ( Juniperus communis‘Suecica’, ’Hibernica’, ‘Meyer’), yew berry ( Taxus baccata‘Fastigiata’), thuja western ( Thuja occidentalis‘Columna’, ‘Brabant’, ‘Wojtek’), etc.
Ordinary plantings, groups, alleys of columnar trees and shrubs create a holiday mood that has a tinge of strict solemnity and splendor. Such forms seem to be created for various design elements of regular gardens; in addition, they can find a place for themselves in free compositions.

Spherical and ovoid trees have a vicious circle outline, which gives them a static character, creating a feeling of peace and tranquility. It is believed that the soft outline of such forms can maintain mental balance, contributing to the preservation of mental strength. As a rule, trees with a spherical crown shape, as well as round-trimmed evergreens, have a positive effect on a person.

Spherical shapes crowns are found in prickly hawthorn ( Crataegus oxyacantha'Carrierei'), field maple ( Acer campestre‘Nanum’), thuja western ( Thuja occidentalis‘Globosa’, ‘Golden Globe’, ‘Hoseri’), etc. Today, some spherical forms are offered for sale grafted on a stem. These are breeds such as Norway maple ( Acer platanoides‘Globosum’), false maple ( Acer pseudoplatanus'Brilliantissimum'), bignoniform catalpa ( Catalpa bignonioides'Nana'), common ash ( Fraxinus excelsior'Nana'), bush cherry ( Prunus cerasus'Umbraculifera'), robinia pseudoacacia ( Robinia pseudoacacia‘Umbraculifera’).

Spherical shapes will give the parterre, dominated by a round theme, great solemnity, harmony and completeness.

Umbrella shape tree crowns are characterized by their elongation in the most horizontal horizontal direction, so it has a calming effect. A tree with an umbrella-shaped crown creates an image that protects and protects the person under this crown. Umbrella forms are characteristic of Italian pine ( Pinus pinea), Crimean pine ( Pinus pallasiana), seaside pine ( Pinus pinaster) and etc.

Bouquet shape with trunks numerously diverging from the ground, spreading, freely delineated crowns, it is characterized by the dynamics of inclined trunks and revitalizing contours. The image of such a tree is considered to be actively stimulating the human psyche, attracting attention and contributing to the development of fantasy. In the south, such a crown shape is found in the berry yew, Aleppo pine ( Pinus halepensis), metasequoia glyptrostrobiform ( Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and etc.

Trees with dangling branches - weeping forms, create an image of complete passivity with a tinge of sadness. This is a calming factor that directs emotions towards the minor key and delays volitional impulses. However, on melancholic and phlegmatic people, they can have a negative effect, prolonging the state of depression.

Weeping forms are found in the common hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus'Pendula'), forest beech ( Fagus sylvatica'Pendula'), Japanese Sophora ( Sophora japonica'Pendula'), white mulberry ( Morus alba'Pendula'), warty birch ( Betula pendula) and others. The latter has always evoked a feeling of nostalgia and love for the motherland - Russia.

Recently, in the design of the garden, terraces began to be used arboreal monocots in tubs and with a shelter, which have a peculiar exotic shape. These are: yuccas, palms, bamboo.

It is believed that such a form of succulent plant as yucca ( Yucca), looks like a lightning; acts aggressively, but can be an assistant for fearful people who want to achieve something. On the other hand, it has a bad effect on choleric people and can bring them to an explosive state; brings anxiety. The yucca leaves bear thorns at the ends, so it can be an excellent guardian.

Peculiar appearance palm trees always attracted people's attention. Palm trees are believed to strengthen and concentrate positive energy and promote productive mental activity; they provide a harmonious atmosphere, soften negative energy. It was noticed that palm trees help modest timid people to find a positive attitude towards themselves, and those who try to please everyone, but do not love or appreciate themselves, they help to find inner peace of mind and "cope with themselves." Palm trees are especially beneficial for people who cannot express their feelings, cannot talk about their aggression, humiliation, disappointment. People who are in dire need of love have a special craving for palm trees. However, palm trees with tough leaves such as Fortune's trachycarpus ( Trachycarpus fortunei) and hamerops low ( Chamaerops humilis) contribute to the manifestation of aggression and courage, help in achieving the goal, protect against negative influences coming from outside.

Interesting exotic bamboos- woody grasses with beautiful filigree leaves and predominantly green long hollow stems (straws), in the internodes of which there is a parenchyma containing silicic acid. Thanks to her, these plants, in an esoteric sense, can serve as custodians of information. Bamboo has a positive effect on humans: it is both a catalyst and a balancing factor. It is believed that bamboo can enhance creativity and sensitivity. In addition, due to its flexibility and at the same time strength in feng shui, it is considered the embodiment of energy and pragmatic ability.

Amusing forms of plant crowns, natural and artificial, obtained with the help of a haircut, have a positive effect, causing a "storm" of positive emotions not only in parents, but also in children.