Fir could rightfully take first place in the beauty contest of coniferous perennials. A fluffy fur coat, vertically standing candlesticks with cones - all this makes her a welcome guest in many suburban areas. Korean fir strikes the imagination also with the incredible color of the cones. But to get this beauty, you need proper care. Since this tree is considered an aristocrat among the pine family.

aristocratic family

Silverlock fir (Korean) is loved by gardeners because it does not grow quickly and practically does not need pruning. Its branches and tops form natural beautiful weaves. It tolerates the absence of heat and light. It can coexist with other trees, but it also looks great as a separate garden decoration.

Varieties of Korean spruce:

• molly - has a perfectly even trunk, a magnificent crown. That allows you to use it as a hedge. Needs good lighting. In the absence of light, the branches are strongly extended, the aesthetic appearance is disturbed;
• diamond is a rare and valuable variety of bonsai. After 10 years of life, its height rarely exceeds 40 cm. Therefore, this variety is actively used to create alpine slides. The plant does not like strong wind and shade.

All varieties of these trees for planting are best taken as developed seedlings. The plant should be planted in March or September. The soil is acidic, well-drained and moderately moist.

The most popular firs for landscape design

Purple-violet decorative cones, green-white needles - this is what balsam fir looks like. This variety is very resistant to frost, famous for its healing power. It has a kind of needles, which is divided into an even parting.

The plant prefers shade, will not take root in a hot climate, needs moist and loose soil. This species has many dwarf varieties:

• piccolo - branches are located radially, deviate slightly downward. The gray needles have a green tint;
• kiwi - an interesting bluish-green color of needles will make this tree an ornament to any garden;
• hudzonia - has a wide crown and dense branches. The top tree is dark green, with a hint of black. From top to bottom, the needles become bluish-green;
• nana is the most shade-tolerant and frost-resistant variety. Suitable for decorating the rocky variety of the garden.

One-color fir is a tall and luxurious representative of the pine family. It has a dense crown formed by a pyramid, the branches grow parallel to the ground. The decorative variety (blue) is distinguished by the silver color of the needles. It is this variety that is highly revered by landscape designers. The frost-resistant subspecies of the single-colored fir is the most resistant to pests.

Decorative forms:

• violet violet - the needles are long and large, white-blue. Can be planted singly or in small groups. It tolerates smoky air well, is not afraid of frost and drought;
• compacta - dwarf hybrid fir in the form of a shrub, the branches are spread unevenly.

Russian beauty

Siberian fir has been known since childhood. This variety of coniferous tree is found in almost the entire territory of Russia. They can be found even in the mountains, but there these trees are somewhat lower.

Siberian fir is one of the most important forest-forming species. Dislikes poor soil and wetlands, tolerates cold well. It is difficult to breed in large cities, because it withers from dirty air.

Fir does not need constant sunlight. It itself gives a very dense shade, under which only a few types of grasses and moss can survive.

Siberian fir, a photo of which is often found in biology textbooks, is a monoecious plant. Yellow, oval spikelets - male. They have flying bubbles, thanks to which they can scatter over long distances. In early June, male spikelets fall off.

Dark red spikelets - female. They develop cones that stand like candles. The mature cone has a light brown color and a cylindrical shape.

Seeds ripen in late summer - early autumn. But fir can also reproduce vegetatively. Dry branches do not lose needles, as spruce does.

Siberian fir has many useful properties; it is used for the production of paper, pulp, and musical instruments.

Glasses in optical instruments are glued with fir balm.

In medicine, fir needles are used, which are rich in vitamin C. You can collect it all year round. But the maximum amount of ascorbic acid is found in spring needles.

Danish charm

Nordmann fir is distinguished by its unusual decorative effect, dense needles and tart aroma. She is often seen in American Christmas movies. Its other name is Caucasian fir.

It is hard to believe that nature itself created such uniformly fluffy branches and an ideal crown. For a long time, only aristocrats could afford this tree. Now everyone can grow such a miracle in the garden.

The needles of this fir are rounded, soft and not at all thorny. Danish fir cones appear after the first year of life, which gives young firs a special piquancy. The fruits of this fir are bright and large, have a color from light brown to purple.

It is better to plant Caucasian fir in September or April, it should be warm and cloudy outside. Moist, nutritious soil is suitable for it. This coniferous tree does not tolerate drought and excessive moisture.

When choosing a place, it should be taken into account that this fir is not afraid of the winds, but suffers from polluted air. Caucasian fir does not like to be transplanted. In the natural environment grows quickly. Cultivars can grow up to 15 cm in a year.

When choosing seedlings, preference should be given to grown trees (age 5-6 years). Young fir should be in an individual container. A bare root system can lead to the rapid death of the plant.

For young specimens, timely care is important:

• regular watering;
• destruction of weeds;
• pest protection.

Stronger fir does not need such careful care.

North American discovery

Fraser fir owes its popularity to a botanist from Scotland. In Russia, this tree is not very popular. But Americans are very fond of Fraser fir, and often decorate it for Christmas.

This fir is often confused with balsam fir as it also releases resin bubbles. Fraser fir lives high in the mountains, is resistant to low temperatures.

See also: What does fir look like

The tree is slender, elegant, not very tall. The crown is conical, very dense in young specimens. The branches are located directly, or at a slight angle to the trunk. With age, the tree acquires lightness and airiness due to the large gaps between the branches.

This fir has unusual needles - short, flat, almost non-thorny, arranged in a spiral.

In care, this plant is very demanding. The soil must be constantly drained, fed, moistened. Fir is not adapted to survival in urban environments. But it does well in gardens and parks.

Can grow in a group with larches, pines and birches. Development does not suffer even with a single landing.

Care rules:

• after planting, it is necessary to light the seedling well, this will help the crown to form properly;
• it is required to cut the buds of lateral shoots in the fall;
• in spring, fir should be freed from frozen and dry branches, complex mineral fertilizers should be applied;
• in the heat you need to spray every 2-3 days;
• adult plants can not be transplanted.

Carpathian healer

White fir is known for its medicinal properties. Its tree greens are used to produce essential oils and medical camphor. In ancient times, this tree was considered sacred. The Carpathians and the mountains of Central and Southern Europe are considered her home.

This plant belongs to monoecious, dioecious. It has good decorative properties.

Young plants have a crown in the form of a pyramid. By the middle of life, the tree takes on a more rounded shape. In the old, the interweaving of branches resembles a nest. The trunk is smooth, with a silvery-white bark. Paws are located horizontally, may rise slightly.

This representative of the pine family has needles that are not too long. The needles are dark green, with a slight white tint.

Young fruit cones have an oval, cylindrical shape, bright green color. As it matures, the color changes, dark brown tones appear. The seeds are large, ripen in the fall of the first year of life.

The tree has a good root system. It does not like dry soil and air. It tolerates frost well, but with a strong decrease in temperature it can freeze. It can live in the shade, but dies in highly polluted air.

It is rarely used to decorate the landscape, as it loses to its counterparts in terms of aesthetic parameters. For planting, it is better to use cuttings.

Guest from Alaska

Subalpine fir (rough-fruited) lives high in the mountains, so it grows slowly. Adult specimens do not differ in high height and trunk thickness. The crown of the tree is narrow, resembling a wedge.

Grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Can tolerate excessive moisture, heavy snowfalls.

The needles are prickly, silvery-gray in color, becoming bluish-green with age. Rounded kidneys contain a lot of resin.

The tree is suitable for the formation of alleys, helps to purify the air. Looks good both in groups and alone. Able to recover from damage, but can acquire multiple peaks. Pruning is not required, the crown is formed in a natural way. Before the juice begins to flow, sanitary pruning can be done by removing unnecessary branches.

For a garden, lawn decoration, you can purchase a dwarf variety of subalpine pine - a compact. This plant reaches a height of 1.5 m, has a wide conical crown. Paws are beautiful, thick, with beautiful gray-blue needles. To create a beautiful shape in the fall, you need to pluck the central buds from the lateral processes, shorten the branches in the summer. When planting, you must choose a place protected from direct sunlight.

Landing is carried out in early spring or late summer. It is necessary to carry out constant treatment against fungal diseases. It is necessary to feed young seedlings, adult pines do not need top dressing. In case of severe drought, the number of waterings should be increased, sprinkling should be carried out.

A variety of decorative firs, photos of which are pleasing to the eye, will help create a cozy atmosphere in any garden. Coniferous trees are unpretentious in care, live long, fill the air with a useful aroma. And for the New Year there will always be its own, the most beautiful Christmas tree.

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Korean fir is green all the time and lives for a very long time without additional pruning and crown formation. Belongs to the fir family, native to the south of the Korean Peninsula. Hence its name. The shape of the plant resembles a pyramid (cone). A tree can even live up to 150 years.

You can meet her in the Northern Hemisphere and in South Korea. Its growth rate is much slower than that of spruce, on average, an increase of 3-5 centimeters every year.

Species Description: Needle-shaped leaves, flat, 1-2 cm long and 2-2.5 mm thick, glossy greenish at the top and two stripes of bright white at the bottom, with a few teeth at the tip. Her bumps can be from blue to purple. Their size, for the most part, is 4-7 centimeters in length and up to 2 centimeters in width.

It is very hardy and grows well in both sunny and shady areas, but does best when in direct sunlight, as its crown becomes more attractive. Reproduction by seeds and cuttings is acceptable.

Fir of this species grows up to 10-18 meters in height with a trunk diameter of up to 70 centimeters. Varieties of Korean fir for landscape design include several species that have the greatest splendor and excellent decorative properties throughout the calendar year.

Look at the photo of some varieties of Korean fir, which perfectly decorate home gardens in various zones:

Description and photos of varieties of Korean fir

A brief description of the varieties of Korean fir allows you to make the right choice, and the photo will illustrate the external aesthetic properties.

Korean fir "Brilliant" (Brilliant) and "Silberblok" (Silberlocke).

Korean fir "Brilliant" is a very valuable plant, as it is not an artificial, but a natural dwarf. The dwarf variety does great in containers, this plant has a neat cushion-shaped crown.

Its needles are short, but it has signs of density and softness. The needles are shiny, painted in the upper part in dark green or bright green, and in the lower part - white-blue or silvery longitudinal stripes. The needles of this variety of Korean fir are quite flavored, the edges are wrapped to the bottom and reach two centimeters in length.

This is a slow growing tree, it grows three to four centimeters in length per year. And at 10 years old, the height is only 40 centimeters with a width of 60 centimeters. This dwarf plant can live up to 300 years.

To plant it, it is advisable to choose semi-shaded or sunny places for it, while calm. Young plants are recommended to be placed in partial shade, and in spring and summer to hide from the sun. The soil for planting is better to choose slightly acidic, with equipped drainage. Fir is sufficiently cold-resistant. The temperature of minus 29 degrees is not terrible for her.

Korean fir "Silberlock" has a crown in the shape of a cone, often with several peaks. At the age of 10 years, it grows up to 120-180 centimeters in length. Its needles are bent, their lower part is white.

It is a slow-growing fir, as it has overcurved needles, which, when viewed from a distance, appear silvery. From here this kind of fir got its name - "silberblocke" means "silver curl". In some cases, it may seem that the tree is covered with frost. The cones of this variety of Korean fir are purple, cone-shaped, 7 centimeters long.

The soil prefers acidic, with a small amount of alkali. Loves the light, but, in turn, and shade-tolerant. Cold hardy plant. During snowy winter periods, due to the fact that snow sticks to the branches, they can break, so a retaining frame should be installed.

Korean fir "Molly" (Molli) and "Blue Magic" (Blue Magic)

Korean fir "Molly" can grow up to seven meters in length with a three-meter crown. Trees of this variety are sprinkled with cones in a large volume. They have a blue-violet hue. Their length is 5 centimeters.

It grows rather slowly. For a year - 6-7 centimeters adds, no more. The trunk is straight and even. The crown has a conical shape and does not require pruning, as it initially independently forms the correct shape. The needles of the plant are flat, but thick, have a bright green color with a bluish tinge. The lower part of the needles is bluish-white. Her buds are large, blue-violet.

The plant feels much better in lighted places and does not like sudden changes in ambient temperature. If it is in a dark place, then the shoots begin to stretch, and the crown becomes loose.

Cold resistant. Needs moist soil with good drainage.

Korean fir "Blue Magic" is a dense shrub that annually grows in length by 6-10 centimeters, and at 10 years old its height is 1 meter with a width of 80 centimeters.

Crown in the shape of a pyramid. The needles are dark blue-green in color, its lower part is silvery. Buds are purple. Prefers a semi-shaded place. The soil should be acidic or slightly acidic, moist and equipped with drainage. The place where it grows must be protected from the wind.

"Dark Hill" (Dark Hill), "Oberon" (Oberon) and other varieties

Korean fir "Dark Hill" prefers to be in direct sun or in partial shade. The soil should be equipped with drainage, slightly acidic and moderately moist. Frost-resistant. For 10 years reaches 40 centimeters. Crown diameter - 50-70 centimeters at the age of 10 years. Dwarf, shaped like a pillow, asymmetrical. The needles are hard, short, dark green, glossy.

"Oberon" is a dwarf variety of Korean fir, its crown has the shape of a dome. The needles are bright green. At 10 years old, its height is approximately 40 centimeters with a width of 60 centimeters. Needs moist soil. Prefers a semi-shaded area at first, and then it is desirable to provide it with full coverage. It grows well on soils equipped with drainage, without excess moisture. The size of the cones is small, but there are quite a lot of them, and they all grow vertically. Cones are densely impregnated with resin, they appear in the first year.

It is desirable to plant in the ground in spring or autumn. To do this, it is initially recommended to dig a hole twice as large as the volume of the entire fir root system. Compost should be put on the bottom, and then a pre-moistened lump with roots should be placed there so that it is level with the ground. It will be necessary to make a small depression around the trunk, through which it is good to water the seedling so that the earth near the roots is sufficiently saturated with moisture. Finally, it is desirable to mulch the earth.

Korean fir "Doni Tajuso" (Doni Tajuso) prefers sunny or semi-shaded places. The soil should be equipped with drainage, slightly acidic and moist. Frost-resistant. At 10 years old, its height is a maximum of 30 centimeters. Crown diameter about 30 centimeters at the age of 10 years. The shape of the crown resembles a pillow. The needles are not soft, short, light green in color, with a sheen.

"Otto strasse" (Ottostrasse) prefers a sunny or semi-shaded place, no special requirements for the soil, moderately moisture-loving, frost-resistant. It grows up to 50 centimeters in height. The crown is 120 centimeters in diameter, in the shape of a cone. Every year it grows by 3 - 5 centimeters. The needles are soft, short, in the upper part - bright green, shiny, in the lower part - two longitudinal silvery stripes. The cones are arranged vertically, in shade, about seven centimeters long and up to two centimeters wide.

Korean fir "Select" (Select) prefers sunny or semi-shaded areas that are protected from the wind. Grows well in slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Grows up to 4 meters. The crown is up to three meters in diameter. It has the shape of a wide cone. It grows by 10-20 centimeters per year. The needles are short, 2-3 centimeters long, soft, the upper part is dark green and glossy, the lower part has two silvery stripes. Cones of a violet-blue hue, up to three centimeters long.

Korean fir "Cis" (Cis) loves sunny or semi-shaded places, it is not demanding on the soil, it is cold-resistant. In height reaches 80 centimeters. The crown in diameter grows up to 120 centimeters, therefore it has the shape of a ball. Every year it grows by 3-5 centimeters. The needles are soft, the upper part of it is green, glossy, and the lower part has two silvery stripes. Violet-purple buds, 5-7 cm long and about 2 cm wide.

Korean Fir "Kristallkugel" (Kristallkugel) grows well in sunny or semi-shaded areas. The soil is not demanding and frost-resistant. Its height is up to 50 centimeters, a dwarf. The crown can be 2 meters in diameter. The shape is pillow-shaped.

The needles are soft, the upper part is bright green, the lower part has two silvery stripes. Violet-purple buds, 5-7 cm long and about 2 cm wide.

Korean fir: the most popular varieties, features of planting and care

​Related Articles​

(A. koreana) is quite stable and winter-hardy in the middle lane, where it has been successfully grown for more than 15 years in many gardens. It grows slowly but surely, has a crown shape that is not quite correct, but sometimes it is even useful. Of the new products, it would be worthwhile to use Blauer Eskimo, Ice Breaker and Cis varieties more intensively.​

Description of Korean fir

European larch In Europe, completely dwarf forms are now in fashion All firs are demanding on moisture, richness and drainage of the soil. Recent research by scientists related to Spanish fir has proven that this tree appeared even before the Ice Age. Today they are trying to establish how it survived. On reproductive shoots, with a pointed top, on vegetative shoots - with a weakly or rounded top. Fir needles live for about 8-15 years, but where the climate is colder, the needles remain on the tree longer.

For better branching and the formation of a fluffy crown, it is recommended to pinch the central buds. It is also necessary to remove dried cones and branches from plants. Korean fir varieties do not need formative pruning.Despite slight differences in the requirements for illumination and soil fertility, all varieties of Korean fir have a common feature - superficial roots. This must be taken into account when planting trees on your site. The needles of this variety are characterized by a strong bend, which is why the tree is often called curly. The upper part of the needles is painted green, the lower part is white-green.

But not only this feature distinguishes one variety from another. The shape and color of the needles, the type of cones and their color, as well as preferences regarding growing conditions - all these characteristics are unique for each variety. They must be taken into account when selecting Korean firs for decorating the site.

​First​

(L. decidua) Snapewood Broom, Kazbal and Corley are cushion-shaped forms with bizarrely flat shoots.

Siberian fir: a variety of varieties (video)

The most popular varieties of Korean fir

mountain pine

• Fir is propagated by seeds, which are harvested at the beginning of cone ripening. Sow in autumn or spring. Under normal conditions, the seeds are stored for up to one year. It can also be propagated by annual cuttings. The roots of the cuttings are formed after 8-9 months.
• The crown is cone-shaped, wide, low-started, the branches are located horizontally. The bark is smooth, dark gray, becoming cracked by maturity. Young shoots are bare, almost strongly resinous. The hard branches are covered with very hard prickly needles of a silver-blue hue.

In most representatives, the needles are single, spirally arranged, due to the twisting of the petioles on the lateral branches flatly or comb-like in one plane. At the base, the leaves are expanded into a rounded disk, which retains a trace on the shoot after falling, sometimes protruding slightly.

Korean fir is extremely hardy When planting Korean firs, it is important to take into account the fact that this species grows very slowly. Cones are medium, reach 70 mm in length, painted in green-purple color. The most popular varieties for growing among Russian amateurs and professional designers are varieties. koreana Wils, is widely used in decorative landscaping. This species is represented by a wide variety of varieties, due to which it can be used to create landscape compositions of any kind.

Blauer Eskimo	Kornik	​(P. mugo). They do not take up much space, grow slowly and are great for small rockeries. These are varieties such as Picobello, Moppet, Little Delight.​	Looks great with other large trees (pseudo-hemlock, pine, spruce, larch). Low-growing species are planted with low conifers and ground cover perennials.	Korean fir grows in the mountains on the Korean Peninsula at an altitude of 100-1900 m above sea level. This type of fir has a rough bark. Its young yellowish shoots are covered with fine hairs. Then they turn red.
Cones are cylindrical, sessile, ovoid, ripen in the first year and disintegrate in autumn or winter, releasing seeds. The stem of the cones stays on the branches for a long time. On the upper edge of the seed scales, cut or broadly rounded, narrowed downwards, with a wedge-shaped base, without a navel.	You may also be interested in an article in which we talk about unpretentious conifers that you can grow on your site.	Therefore, it is important to provide for an additional indentation from the walls of buildings on the site, so that after several decades the crown does not “rest” against the wall and does not suffer from a lack of light. Depending on the planting plan, Korean firs are planted at a distance of 5 m (to form even and regular crowns) or 2 m (to create a dense hedge in the future) from each other.	Prefers bright places, withstands frost well, but can break from snow adhering to branches. Soils likes acidic, loose and moisture-intensive, with a high content of humus components. Used in single plantings, Japanese gardens and rockeries.​	Diamond, Molly, Silberlock, Blue Emperor
In nature, Korean fir is found in the Northern Hemisphere in the temperate climate zone.	, As the name implies, it has a bright blue needle color, it is often offered in the form of a standard form, which, frankly, is of little interest to our gardeners due to the poor resistance of such forms to snowfalls and spring burns. Therefore, it is better to look for either a low trunk (no more than 20 cm high) or a pillow shape.	- a variety with sharply rising young shoots.	Pay attention to compact varieties quite winter-hardy	It is not easy to talk about new products in the world of conifers, because most often the market offers gardeners varieties that are more than a dozen years old.
Korean fir is filled with charm. Already in youth, she begins to bear fruit in abundance. Excellent, directed upwards, violet-purple cones against the background of green needles, give the tree an amazing look. Due to its decorative effect, Korean fir is widely cultivated throughout the world.​	Seeds triangular-wedge-shaped or obovate-wedge-shaped, with resin cavities, very difficult to separate from the wing surrounding the seed; fan-shaped or rectangular wing.	Among the main advantages of the plant, reviews of Korean fir mention extremely high frost resistance and slow growth, due to which compositions on the site do not require annual correction of winter "surprises". The absence of the need for pruning is also appreciated by gardeners, because even with the complete absence of external influence on the forms, Korean fir grows absolutely symmetrical and even (with the exception of dwarf shrub species). Among the shortcomings of Korean fir, susceptibility to aphid attack is mentioned. However, this problem, according to gardeners, is easily solved with the help of insecticides.	The time of planting Korean fir in open ground is the beginning of spring before the formation of young buds and shoots on seedlings.	Molly
and	It is considered one of the longest-lived plants.	Variety	​Krejci​	Pyrenean pine
Let's get straight to the terminology. We will talk about conifers, not conifers. Professionals call conifers only plants of the genus Ephedra, and not at all pines, spruces, fir, larches, junipers, arborvitae and some other species.	​Its high quality wood is used for the pulp and paper industry.​	Fir begins to bloom at the age of 60-65, in an open place earlier. Male cones of fir are on top of last year's shoots, female cones are red-violet or green, vertically standing, located singly in the upper part of the crown near the ends of last year's shoots. Fir grows very slowly for the first ten years, then picks up pace. The limit age of fir is about 300-500 years.​	Judging by the numerous reviews of gardeners who have already become the owners of Korean fir, this plant fits perfectly into any landscape. Due to the variety of forms and unpretentiousness, trees and shrubs belonging to this species have won the love of many. Having planted it on your site, you can forget about the need to decorate it with something else for many years.	The ideal age for planting material is from 4 to 10 years. Younger plants may die due to an abundance of light or frost, while older plants take root worse in a new place.

The crown is conical, up to 3 m in diameter, the maximum plant height is 7 m.

Landing features

​Compact​ Some specimens in natural conditions reach the age of 400 years.

Ice Breaker- in appearance, this is generally a very strange plant, but capable of bringing the effect of some kind of alien miracle to the garden.

, or hooked (P. uncinata), which have only recently appeared on the market. These are Braska, Jezek, Offenpass, Rusalka, Maja, Paradekissen. They are from both Western European and Polish nurseries.​

​Almost everything that we might consider novelties when visiting an exhibition or sale has long been described and discovered in nature or in large nurseries, where specialists are tirelessly searching for forms that are promising for mass production. Therefore, the concept of the new in the world of conifers is very, very conditional. After all, a new variety of pine, spruce or fir for a gardener could be described and found in reference books and encyclopedias for 20-30 years before it became available for purchase. A tree with a narrow pyramidal crown, with slightly raised branches and a straight trunk. The bark of the trunk is gray, smooth, with small elliptical traces of fallen branches and cracks. Fir is a very decorative forest species that not only provides timber, but is also common in landscape construction. Fir is very decorative and takes root well outside its natural range. Fir balsam and valuable resins are obtained from the bark of some species of fir, fir oil is obtained from branches and needles, and fir legs are also valued. They make essential oils. In addition to essential oil, the foot contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and is also a raw material for its production.​

The pine family has many different evergreen genera and tree species that delight our eyes all winter long. Among them is fir - a cone-shaped, slender plant with odorous two-color needles, lush, spreading branches.

Silverlock fir is used in single plantings, Japanese gardens and rockeries The needles are bright green, bluish-gray on the bottom, very thick.

(The second name of this fir is Compacta Dwarf).

Care rules

A distinctive feature of this type of fir is slow growth.

1. With beautiful, turned inside out needles, flaunting the white stripes of its lower part, it is extremely bright and exotic. In the form of an eye-catching white and green pillow, it can look great in rockeries.​
2. LittleBogle
3. Prickly spruce, or
4. The most interesting for Russian gardeners now are the new types of pines that have appeared on sale for us. First of all, it's a pine

Young shoots are yellow-green, pubescent, then become brown-brown and bare. Her kidneys do not contain resin, are pubescent. Caucasian fir is wind-resistant due to its developed root system.

It is one of the main forest-forming species in North America, where it grows in the coniferous zone. In the mountains, balsam fir rises to the border of the forest, but most often grows in the lowlands and near drains, along with species of arborvitae, hemlock, spruce, pine, and hardwoods.

Most firs are common in the subtropics and temperate climate zone. Only Siberian and balsam grow further north and withstand more severe conditions with low temperatures. In some species, the lower branches are very low and may even take root in the ground.

Reviews of gardeners

Korean fir is undemanding to soil nutrition and moisture, however, acidic soils with a high humus content are more suitable for good development.

Conifers: choice for the garden (video)

Cones are purple-blue, numerous, up to 5 cm long.

Fir. Photo and description

Variety name

It is thanks to him that the tree looks very dense and fluffy.

Third grade -

- rather a bonsai-like form of larch. She has a place in a garden with oriental motifs or in a luxurious rockery.​

blue

Banks
Demanding on air humidity, loves fresh, loam with an admixture of black soil. However, it can grow on calcareous soils. This type of fir is durable, lives up to 500-800 years.

The height of the tree is about 15-25 m and the diameter of the trunk is 0.8 m. Balsam fir is a very decorative species, thanks to a large number of young dark purple cones.

Large cones of fir are directed upwards, they sometimes have a very interesting color, decorate the plant in summer and autumn, and fly around for the winter. The bark of young plants is usually smooth and only acquires scales or cracks with age.

Fir Description

It is important to avoid wetlands when planting, although fir is positive about the presence of peat in the soil. Prefers well-lit, wind-sheltered places. Needs drainage and good moisture. Looks good in single plantings. Crown shape, plant height

The trunk of Korean fir is even, it can reach 40 cm in diameter, however, in varietal plants grown in household plots, the trunk rarely reaches a diameter of 27 cm.

Very interesting dwarf forms of larch

(Picea pungens) native to the western United States. It has been grown in Russia for a long time, but I would like gardeners to learn how to understand a huge number of its varieties and start choosing the most beautiful ones: Baby Blue Eyes, Copeland, Edith, Fat Albert, Montgomery, Wendy.​

(Pinus banksiana) - extremely hardy and hardy, from the Canadian taiga. This species is distinguished by shortened, but dense needles and a peculiar arrangement of branches. Young specimens resemble molded pines from Japanese gardens. They grow slowly, do not give a thick shadow - in general, this is a godsend for practicing designers. Banks pine has the following low grades: Chippewa and Schoodic.​

The birthplace of single-colored fir is North America. Plantations of this species are usually located on shady slopes, as well as along rivers. Large tree with a cone-shaped crown.

Cones are gray-brown, oval-cylindrical, very resinous, 5 to 10 cm long and 2 cm thick. They crumble in October.

Types and varieties of fir

Balsam fir

Some types of firs have a very interesting color, silver-gray or bluish. They can serve as excellent ornamental plants in estates and parks. They also decorate the alleys. Most of these plants can be frost sensitive, but most often when young. Mature plants are already more resistant in this regard.

If there is a possibility of flooding, it is necessary to arrange good drainage.

​Compacta (Compact)​

Appearance of needles

White fir (European)

There are also varieties of Korean fir with an unexpressed central trunk (stem).

- a good find for a garden designer; it has a dense, beautiful texture of a green crown and a small annual increase, which will allow you to plan the decorative look of the composition for many years.​

​Kempfer​

great fir

In addition to the high varieties of this species, there are also a huge number of low and cushion-shaped ones: Glauca Procumbens, Early Cones, Blue Pearl, Centrys Gem, Blue Horizon, Benno, Lucky Strike, Lundebys Dwarf, Nimetz.

Very promising for us

Vicha fir

The branches are horizontal. The height of the tree is about 35-50 m, the diameter of the trunk is 1.5 m. The needles are narrow, soft, about 5-8 m long, smells like lemon. On both sides it is matte bluish green.

Seeds are brown with a purple tint, their size is 5-8 mm. This type of fir comes into fruiting in 20-30 years. This type of fir is shade-tolerant. Prefers loamy moist soils. Lives about 150-200 years.

In construction and for the manufacture of furniture, fir is rarely used, more in the pulp and paper industry. The resin of this tree is used for medical purposes, in the manufacture of soap and other perfumes, household chemicals. Fir also supplies us with camphor and varnishes.

Spanish fir

The depth of the planting pit for fir is 50-80 cm, depending on the plant variety. The more massive its crown and the larger the roots, the deeper and wider the hole needs to be made. It is important to carefully straighten the fir roots and not deepen the root collar. Otherwise, the tree will stop growing and may die completely within 3-4 years.

The crown is symmetrical and compact, no more than 80 cm high. The maximum growth per year is 5-7 cm.

Korean fir

Appearance of cones

Such plants look like a pillow-shaped bush.

The following varieties of Korean fir are also interesting: globular Crystal Hugel, narrow-conical Gait, golden Golden Dream, ground cover Green Carpet, Oberon, Silverperl, Silver Show, Tundra, Schneestern.

Fir Nordmann (Caucasian)

(L. kaempferi), which differs from other species, as you probably know, with beautiful blue needles. Pay attention to the following varieties: Bambino, Blue Dwarf, Blue Croc, Madurodam, Blue Rabbit. It is not scary to experiment with larches, including with standard forms of all the varieties mentioned - as mentioned above, they are very reliable in our conditions.

Of the real discoveries for the Russian garden, I would like to mention the common spruce variety (P. abies)

twisted pine

White fir

Fruits every 3 years. Cones are dark purple, oval-cylindrical, about 8-15 cm long. It grows very slowly, at 5 years its height reaches 1 meter, and at 10 years 2 meters. It grows well on sandy dry soils.

This type of fir grows at an altitude of about 350-1500 m above sea level, forms pure forests, as well as mixed with spruce and beech. The tree is about 30-60 m high, the trunk is up to 2 m in diameter. The needles are blunt, flat, shiny, dark green above, with white stripes below, about 2-3 cm long. It stays on the shoots for 6-9 years. ​

You can sew a broken branch into a pillow and fall asleep under a pleasant coniferous aroma. Or scare away moths in the closet with it. And with radiculitis or a cold, you can take

Things are a little easier with planting Korean fir in containers.

Silver fir

The needles are dense and long (up to 4 cm), blue.

Preferred Growing Conditions

In most cases, the Korean fir crown is a cone or pyramid. In this case, the color of the plant depends not only on varietal characteristics, but also on the age of the tree. Young specimens are painted in light yellow or light green color. As the needles mature, or rather, succulent leaf blades, they acquire emerald, bluish-green or rich green hues, often with a whitish or silvery coating on the lower part of the needles.

subalpine fir

Arizona fir

White fir

Location

(P. contorta). Her varieties are Frisian Gold and Taylors Sunburst.​

Fir breeding

This fir is very decorative. Forms with silver and bluish needles are especially popular with gardeners, which adorn any personal plot.

Partners

Female cones are green, solitary, vertical, formed close to the ends of last year's shoots, male cones are purple or yellow, sitting alone in the axils of the needles of last year's shoots. White fir does not tolerate dryness and waterlogging of the soil. Likes to grow in moist fertile soils. The tree lives up to 300-400 years.

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Overview of new varieties of pine, spruce, larch and fir

fir baths.

The soil for undersized bushy varieties is based on general rules. The bottom of the flowerpot or container is equipped with drainage from shards, covered with soil from above. The roots of shrub fir also need to be well straightened, and then covered with the remnants of the soil flush with the root collar.

Cones on this variety are extremely rare.

Pines

Brilliant (diamond) Due to the slow growth, the fir looks like a very dense and fluffy tree.(A. lasiocarpa) native to the highlands of western North America. By nature, it has bright bluish needles, which protects it at home from excessive sunlight. Therefore, it is quite resistant to sunburn. This type of fir is frost-resistant in central Russia, but after 15-20 years the lower part of the trunk is exposed, which should be immediately taken into account when placing a seedling. The Compacta variety is mainly used, but new cultivars such as Duflon, Lopalpun, Green Globe, Prikly Pete, Utah should also be planted. Finding them in European nurseries is not easy, but they are worth it.​

(Abies alba) is a European species. Quite frost-resistant fir, but prone to spring burns. Therefore, you should pay attention to its dwarf varieties, which can be shaded in case of unfavorable spring weather: Bystricka, Hana Balatka, Hedge Franz.​​. This is a wonderful creeping ground cover variety that will perfectly decorate any retaining wall or slope and not only decorate the imperfections of the relief, but also strengthen the slope. Yes, and he looks amazing. Of the new amusing dwarf trees of this species, you should definitely pay attention to the varieties Hasin, Hiiumaa, Hocksteins Iseli, Klucinicece, Ziecice Balatka, Dumpy. All of them are stable in central Russia and practically do not burn in the spring sun. It is very interesting to test in our conditions

Under natural conditions, equal scale fir grows in the central regions of Japan. Tree about 25-40 meters high, crown diameter 1-5 meters. The crown is pyramidal, with smooth brown or gray branches. The wood of this fir is white, without resin passages, very resistant to rot, dries well, saws, splits, planed and veneered, thanks to which it is widely used in construction. 50 species distributed in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere.​

Emperor Blue Fir prefers lightly shaded areas and nutritious, moist soils with drainage. Prefers light areas with sandy or loamy soil filled with humus. Great for planting in a container, as well as for growing in rock gardens, coastal areas of water bodies and for walking areas. Natural dwarf with a pillow-shaped crown with a diameter of no more than 70 cm. The maximum plant height is 50 cm.

Fruits with seeds, or simply cones, grow vertically upwards on Korean fir, which is why they are often compared to candles. On young trees they are dark purple or bluish-green (depending on the cultivar), on adults they are brown-gray or gray-green. During growth, the segments of the cones are tightly closed, and at the time of ripening they open and the seeds spill out. Siberian fir balsam fir

Also, Russian gardeners will be interested in cushion-shaped bluish Bunge pine The needles are about 3 cm long and about 1-3 cm wide, bluish below and dark green above.

ate

Great fir grows naturally on the Pacific coast of North America. The crown of this type of fir is cone-shaped, in open areas it can start from the ground. The bark is thin, dark brown, with age its thickness becomes 6-8 cm and begins to crack. Under natural conditions, fir grows in the mountainous zones of the temperate and subtropical belt of Eastern and Central Europe, the Far East, Siberia, East and Central Asia (China , Japan, Korea Peninsula, Himalayas), North America and North Africa. Regardless of whether Korean fir grows in open ground or in a container, it is important to follow the general rules for caring for this plant:

Blue Emperor

The needles are dense, saturated dark green in color, bluish or silver-green on the reverse side with longitudinal stripes. The needles are soft, with wrapped edges, no more than 2 cm long. In any phase, whether it is winter dormancy or active growth in the summer, representatives of Korean firs look very picturesque. They are perfectly combined with flower and decorative leafy crops, fruit trees and shrubs. Even planted in a rocky garden or on an absolutely flat lawn, they are able to bring a certain zest to the landscape of the site. (A. sibirica). For the first time in many years, the Liptovsky Pradek variety appeared on the market, the most stable and reliable variety in the conditions of the middle fir belt.​

(A. balsamea) - very hardy and stable in central Russia, but grows rather slowly. We advise you to use not only the popular varieties Nana and Piccolo, but also the compact Cuprona Jewel, blue Tyler Blue, golden Eugene Gold, almost blue Kiwi, white-tipped Old Ridge.​ spruce mariorica(P. bungeana) with an amazing colorful through openwork crown. According to some reports, it must withstand the climate of central Russia. She also has compact low varieties.

Larches

Male cones are 7 mm wide, 1.5 cm long, ovoid in shape. Female cones - dark purple, cylindrical. The cones are brown, 3 cm wide and 10 cm long. Lives for about 300 years.

Despite its decorative effect, great fir is rarely used in landscaping due to the requirements for growing conditions, as well as climate. A tree with a height of 35 to 90 m and a trunk diameter of 70-120 cm. The shape of the needles is dark green, has a tetrahedral shape. Prefers moderately moist fertile soils. Life expectancy is about 250-300 years. In the Western Hemisphere, fir is distributed from Alaska to Guatemala and from Labrador to the mountainous regions of North Carolina. Fir mainly grows in humid, cool climates. The tallest tree in Russia is precisely the fir (Young firs need shading and shelter from frost in the first years after planting.

The compact and very dense crown does not have a pronounced central trunk, which is why the shape of the plant resembles an elongated pillow. The maximum height of this variety is 1.5 m. The average annual growth is 6 cm. There are no cones.

In landscape design, many varieties of Korean fir are used, which can be conditionally classified into two groups: Caucasian fir

Single color fir​(P. mariorika) cultivar Machala. This is a hybrid of Serbian spruce and black spruce. And her parent Serbian spruce (R. Otopka) should pay attention to dwarf varieties such as Pimoko, Peve Tijn.

​Unfortunately, even people who consider themselves professional garden designers rarely use a very resistant and fabulously beautiful pine. It grows in the mountains of North America. Fir is best cultivated in areas with a humid warm climate. It is a valuable ornamental species used in landscape design. Wicha fir naturally grows in the mountains of Japan, forming mixed or pure plantations with other types of fir, spruce at an altitude of about 1300-1900 m above sea level. It is a slender tree with a pyramidal crown. It grows very quickly, at the age of 30 it reaches more than 10 meters in height.

firs

Caucasian fir Young plants and those grown in containers especially need watering. It is important to carry out moisture charging every 10-15 days. Mature plants can be watered 2-3 times per season. In particularly dry years, you can increase the number of waterings up to 2 times a month.

The needles are short and dense, soft to the touch. The upper part of the needles is purple-silver or intense blue, the lower part is white. Prefers areas protected from the wind. Demanding on light, but tolerates light shading. The soil for this variety should be slightly acidic, air and water permeable, loose and fertile. One of the best varieties for container growing. Suitable for a rocky garden, mixborder and rabatka.​

Tall firs with a pyramidal or cone-shaped crown;, or Nordman (A. nordmanniana) can be used in the gardens of central Russia only in the form of dwarf cushion varieties wintering under the snow (Petra, Jakobsen). Large specimens, unfortunately, both burn and freeze slightly.

(A. concolor) - one of the most famous species for our gardeners. Her new varieties Blue Sapphire and Kalous are attractive. Both are pillow-shaped. The first has a rich blue color of the needles, the second is more whitish-silver. In the garden, they will look harmoniously in the foreground of well-lit compositions of conifers and shrubs. Of the other varieties, it would be worth paying attention to the compact Birthday Broom, Conica Witch Broom, Gables Weeping, La Veta and Piggelmee. Larch (Larix) is one of the most reliable conifers for the middle lane. Unfortunately, most Russian gardeners know them either as huge trees that fall asleep with falling needles all around in autumn, or they know only individual weeping forms. However, in fact, the modern range of larches is not limited to this.

Rumelian Looks very impressive in group and single plantings. The needles are dull blue-green above, with white stripes below. Stays on shoots for 9 years. Lives for about 300 years. The needles are soft, about 2.5 cm long, dark green, shiny above, below - with white stripes. In windy weather, this gives the tree a silvery white hue.

).​​Korean fir begin to need top dressing 3-4 years after planting. It is better to fertilize them with complexes for conifers (no more than 100-130 g of fertilizer per square meter). Cones are small, dark blue or purple.

Silberlocke (Silberlok) Undersized firs with a crown in the form of an irregular flattened ball or pillow. Landscaping a house and a personal plot with coniferous plants not only improves the condition of the air environment (purification of the air from exhaust gases, smoke, dust and other harmful substances), delivering aesthetic pleasure, but also preserves youth if pine needles are added to tea. And if you still create compositions of their conifers with your own hands, this brings joy and pleasure doubly. Benches, flowerpots, decorative fences, multi-colored flower pots, wicker fences, forged lanterns, luminous bulbs - all this creates a cozy, fabulous atmosphere in the garden.​

Korean fir

Varieties, or Macedonian (R. reuse). Its blue form is very curious, which can overshadow the beauty of almost all other pines - this is a truly good discovery of recent years. There is also a low grade Arnold Dwarf.​

Firs are shade tolerant, but thrive best in good light. Wind resistant. Demanding on air humidity. They are very sensitive to air pollution with gases and smoke. Cones are about 7 cm long, purple-purple at a young age, brown at maturity, broadly cylindrical scales, about 6-7 cm long. Seeds short-winged, yellowish. Likes to grow in fertile soils. Lives about 200-300 years.

Fir is a powerful monoecious, evergreen tree with a cone-shaped crown. Fir has a powerful root system, pivotal, going deep into the soil. Fir buds are resinous or without resin at all. Needles of two types. Korean fir grows better on soil mulched with half-rotted sawdust or needles (previously disinfected and steamed). This inhibits the growth of weeds and makes the soil more permeable to moisture and air.​

​Prefers lightly shaded areas and nutrient-rich, moist soils with drainage. One of the best varieties for planting in rock gardens, oriental gardens.​

The crown is cone-shaped, often without a pronounced main trunk. It grows slowly, the annual growth is about 12 cm.

The genus Abies belongs to the pine family. In Russia, the name of such a plant comes from the German word "Fichte", which means "spruce" in translation. Under natural conditions, fir can be found in the temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, as well as in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Often, fir prefers to grow in coniferous forests, adjacent to pine, cedar or spruce. And such a tree can be found in mixed, and sometimes in deciduous forests. This genus unites about 50 species of various plants, among which there are half-meter shrubs and trees, the height of which can reach 80 meters. At the moment, decorative fir is very popular, which is used to decorate squares and parks, as well as garden plots. Before you start planting fir, you should learn about its shortcomings, namely: low frost resistance, as well as intolerance to gas, smoke and excessively dry air.

fir features

Fir is an evergreen monoecious plant that loves warmth and is shade tolerant. A powerful rod system of roots goes into the deep layers of the soil. In a young tree, the bark is smooth and thin, over the years it cracks and becomes thicker. The crown has a conical shape, and it starts directly from the base of the trunk, which distinguishes fir from other conifers. The arrangement of the branches is annular-horizontal. Leaflets are entire, flat, non-rigid needles that taper at the base into a short petiole. In winter, most coniferous plants turn their needles dirty red, but not fir. On the lower surface of each needle there are 2 stripes of white color. Needles on reproductive shoots are pointed, while on vegetative branches they are slightly notched or rounded at the top. The appearance of male flowers resembles cone earrings. At the same time, female flowers have a cylindrical, ovoid or cylindrical-ovoid shape. Unlike other coniferous trees, the cones of the fir are directed upwards, and do not hang down. The composition of female cones includes a rod with covering scales sitting on it, and inside them there are fruit scales that carry a pair of ovules. This plant is pollinated by the wind. After the seeds ripen, the cones become stiff and the scales fall off. In this case, the winged seeds are released, and only the rods remain on the fir itself. Fir can be grown in the same place for 300 years.

Planting fir in open ground

What time to plant

Only those seedlings that are 4 years old or more are planted in open soil. The landing can be made in April, but it is better to do it in the last days of August or the first - in September. It is recommended to plant fir on a cloudy day. A suitable landing site should be located in partial shade or shade. The soil should be fertile, moist, well drained and better if it is loam. It is very good if a pond is located a short distance from the landing site.

How to plant

The landing hole should be prepared half a month before the day of disembarkation. Its approximate dimensions are 60x60x60 centimeters, and the final value will directly depend on the dimensions of the seedling root system itself. Pour 20-30 liters of water into the prepared hole. After all the liquid has been absorbed, the bottom of the hole must be dug up to half the bayonet of a shovel, and then a layer of broken brick or rubble is placed in it, the thickness of which should be from 5 to 6 centimeters. Then the hole is covered by ½ part with a soil mixture consisting of clay, humus, peat and sand (2: 3: 1: 1), into which you need to pour from 200 to 300 grams of nitrophoska and 10 kilograms of sawdust. After a couple of weeks, the soil in the hole will have to settle, after which you can proceed to the direct planting of the seedling. The root system of the plant is placed in such a way that its root neck is flush with the ground. It is best to install the root system on an earthen mound. After the roots are straightened, the pit will need to be filled with earth mixture (the composition is described above) and everything is well tamped. The planted plant must be watered. In the event that you plant a fir alley, then the distance between the seedlings should be from 4 to 5 meters. When group planting, the distance between plants should be from 3 to 3.5 meters - for loose groups and 2.5 meters - for dense groups.

Fir care in the garden

After each watering, loosening of the soil is required no more than 10–12 centimeters deep, and weeds must be removed. In young trees, it is recommended to sprinkle a trunk circle half a meter in diameter with mulch (sawdust, wood chips or peat). The layer of mulch should vary from 5 to 8 centimeters. At the same time, make sure that the root neck of the plant is free of mulch. The planted fir will need to be fed only after 2-3 years, this should be done in the spring, adding from 100 to 125 grams of Kemira-station wagon to the soil of the near-stem circle. Only moisture-loving species of fir require watering. For example, balsam fir needs to be watered 2 or 3 times throughout the season, but only during a drought. For one watering under each tree, you need to pour 1.5–2 buckets. Other species do not need to be watered, as they react extremely negatively to waterlogging, and they have enough natural precipitation.

pruning

Pruning is done in the spring before sap flow begins, and all dry and injured branches must be removed. And at this time, if necessary, you can do the formation of the crown. For pruning use garden shears. It should be remembered that during one haircut, the stem can be shortened by no more than 1/3. As a rule, the crown of such a tree is very neat, and it does not require shaping.

Transfer

Coniferous trees, when compared with other plants, tolerate transplantation quite well and quickly take root in a new place. In the event that a young plant is transplanted, then it is necessary to pierce the soil in a circle, stepping back from the trunk from 0.3 to 0.4 meters, using a sharp shovel for this. Then, with the same shovel, it is necessary to pry off the indicated circle, plunging it into the soil to the depth of the bayonet. The fir is taken out together with a clod of earth and transported on a wheelbarrow to a new landing site, while it should be placed very carefully in the landing hole.

If the fir has already grown up, then before proceeding with the transplant, it is prepared. To do this, the soil is pierced in a circle 12 months before the proposed transplant, while more must be retreated from the trunk than in the first case. Within a year, young roots will grow at the tree inside the designated circle, which will allow it to easily transfer the transplant. It should immediately be noted that one person may not be able to cope with the transplantation of grown fir, so find an assistant in advance. It is very important to prevent the earth ball from collapsing during transplantation.

Pests and diseases

There is nothing difficult in planting and growing fir. This plant also has a fairly high resistance to diseases and harmful insects. However, sometimes it may begin to turn yellow, due to the fact that Hermes (a type of aphid) settles on it. To destroy such pests, Antio or Rogor are used. At the beginning of spring, Hermes females awaken, and it is at this time that the plant must be treated with a solution of any of these agents, while 20 grams of the drug is taken per bucket of water. Also, these drugs will help get rid of pests such as fir cone leafworm and fir shoot moth.

In some cases, this tree begins to yellow the needles, while rusty pillows appear on the stems. This indicates that the fir is infected with a fungal disease such as rust. Infected branches must be cut and destroyed, as well as the needles that have fallen, then the cutting sites are processed using garden var for this. The crown should also be processed and for this a solution of Bordeaux liquid (2%) is used. Take a good look at the area where the fir grows, if it has a stellate or a scab, then these plants must be dug up and destroyed.

Fir breeding

If the fir is species, then the generative method (seed) is used for its reproduction, while the seeds are harvested as soon as the cones begin to ripen. For propagation of decorative fir, cuttings are used.

Propagation of fir cuttings

The length of the cuttings should be from 5 to 8 centimeters. They should be cut only from young trees, while using only annual shoots that have only one (not two!) Apical bud. Also, the stalk must be taken with a heel, for this it is recommended not to cut it, but to tear it off with a sharp movement, while a piece of bark and wood of an older shoot should come off. The cuttings are harvested in the spring, choosing a cloudy morning for this. You need to take them from the middle part of the crown on its northern side.

Before planting the cutting for rooting, all burrs should be carefully removed from the heel. Also carefully inspect the bark, it should not peel off the wood. For preventive purposes, from fungal diseases, it will be necessary to process the cuttings. To do this, they are immersed for 6 hours in a 2% solution of foundationazole or captan, and you can also use a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate. After that, the cuttings are planted in a soil mixture consisting of humus, sand and leafy soil (1: 1: 1). The landing is covered with a cap, which should be transparent. To speed up the rooting process, it is recommended to provide bottom heating of the soil, its temperature should exceed room temperature by 2-3 degrees. Remove the cuttings to a well-lit place, protected from direct sunlight, and they must be ventilated every day. For wintering, cuttings should be transferred to the basement, and in spring they are taken out into the street. Rooting such cuttings is a relatively lengthy process. So, at the very beginning, an increase in callus occurs, and only in the second year do roots form.

Growing fir from seeds

Collecting fir seeds is not an easy task. The fact is that in adult specimens, ripening cones are relatively high, and even ripened winged seeds scatter almost immediately. In order to extract the seeds, you need to pick a slightly unripe cone, which is dried and only after that the seeds are removed. Such seeds need stratification, for this, immediately after collection, they are placed in a basement with high humidity or on a refrigerator shelf. Sowing seeds in open soil in a prepared bed of turf and sand is carried out in April, while they only need to be buried in the soil by a couple of centimeters. The crops are not watered, but immediately covered with a transparent film, in this case a crust does not form on the surface of the soil, and seedlings will appear much faster. The first seedlings should appear after 20-30 days. From this time, it is necessary to start watering them, weeding and loosening the soil surface. In order for the seedlings to survive the first winter, they should be covered with spruce branches. The very next year, you can start transplanting young seedlings to a permanent place. The seedling obtained from the seed is initially characterized by extremely slow growth, because first the root system is built up. So, a four-year-old fir in height can reach only 0.3 to 0.4 meters. However, older plants grow much faster.

fir in winter

Preparing for winter

Those firs that experts advise cultivating in the middle lane are distinguished by a fairly high frost resistance. But young specimens still need to be covered with spruce branches, while the surface of the near-stem circle should be covered with a layer of mulch (dried leaves or peat), the thickness of which should be from 10 to 12 centimeters.

Wintering in the country

Adult firs are able to tolerate winter well without shelter. But in the last days of winter, it is recommended to protect them from the overly active spring sun; for this, the plants are covered with non-woven material.

Types and varieties of fir with photos and names

There are a fairly large number of species and varieties of fir, but not all of them are popular with gardeners. Below will be described those of them that are more or less in demand in culture.

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

Under natural conditions, such fir can be found in the United States and Canada, while its habitat in the north is limited to the tundra. In mountainous areas, such a tree can be seen growing at a height of 1.5–2 thousand meters. This frost-resistant shade-loving plant does not live very long, only about two hundred years. The height of such a plant can vary from 15 to 25 meters, and its trunk reaches a thickness of 0.5–0.7 meters. Young firs are covered with gray-ash smooth bark. Old trees have cracked brown-reddish bark. Resinous pale green buds are light purple in color and spherical or ovoid in shape. In length, dark green glossy needles can reach 1.5–3 centimeters, stomatal lines run along their entire surface. The needles may be slightly notched at the tops or blunt, they die off after 4–7 years. If you grind them, you can smell a pleasant aroma. The height of oval-cylindrical cones can vary from 5 to 10 centimeters, and their width is 2-2.5 centimeters. Unripe buds are dark purple in color, which changes to brown after ripening. Mature buds are highly resinous. This species has been cultivated since 1697. This fir is planted singly or used in small group plantings. The most popular forms are:

1. Hudson. This mountain dwarf plant has very dense branches, a wide crown and many short stems. Short needles are wide and flat in shape, their front surface is green-black, and the wrong side is bluish-green. Cultivated since 1810
2. Nana. The height of the tree does not exceed half a meter, the diameter of the rounded crown is about 250 centimeters. Dense spreading branches are located horizontally. The short lush needles are painted dark green, while on its lower greenish-yellow surface there are 2 stripes of a bluish-white color. Cultivated since 1850. Such a plant is perfect for landscaping roofs, terraces, as well as rocky gardens.

The following forms of this type are also cultivated: gray fir, motley, dwarf, silver, columnar, and prostrate.

Korean fir (Abies koreana)

In nature, this species can be found in the mountains of the southern part of the Korean Peninsula at an altitude of 1.8 thousand meters. These firs create pure forests and mixed ones. Young firs are very slow growing. However, in older specimens, the growth rate becomes faster over the years. In height, such a tree can reach 15 meters, while the diameter of the trunk varies from 0.5 to 0.8 meters. The shape of the crown is conical. Young specimens are covered with smooth ashy bark in some cases with a purple tint. Old specimens have chestnut bark, which has deep cracks. Almost round kidneys are only slightly resinous. Lush needles are quite tough. Each needle is saber-shaped and has a notch at its top. The upper surface of the needles has a dark green color, and the lower surface is silver (due to 2 very wide stomatal bands). The length of cylindrical cones is about 5–7 centimeters, and in diameter they can reach 3 centimeters. Young cones are painted in lilac-purple color. This plant was brought to European countries only in 1905. This species is distinguished by a very high decorative effect due to the two-color needles, as well as winter hardiness. This article describes the planting and care of this particular type of fir. Varieties:

1. Blue Standard. It differs from the original species only in the dark purple color of the cones.
2. brevifolia. This cultivar is characterized by extremely slow growth and a dense, rounded crown. The needles are not so dense compared to the original species, its upper surface is painted marsh-green, and the lower one is grayish-white. The color of the small cones is purple.
3. Piccolo. A tree in height can reach only 0.3 m. In an adult specimen, the diameter of a spreading horizontal crown can reach up to 50 centimeters. The needles are the same as those of the main species.

Caucasian fir, or Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana)

This species is considered a Caucasian endemic, because in nature it can only be found in the Caucasus Mountains. In height, this plant can reach 60 meters, and the trunk has a thickness of about 200 centimeters. The low-low branched lush crown has a narrow conical shape. The top of the crown is sharp, but in sufficiently mature specimens this is not too pronounced. The trees are covered with a glossy smooth bark, however, after the plant is 80 years old, deep cracks form on it. The egg-shaped kidneys have practically no resin. The length of the needles is about 4 centimeters, and its width is about 0.25 centimeters, its upper surface is painted dark green, and on the bottom there are 2 stripes of white color. On cone-bearing shoots, the tops of the needles are gently pointed, and on the vegetative shoots, there is a notch on the tops. In length, the cones reach 20 centimeters, and in diameter - 5 centimeters. Young buds are green, while older buds are resinous dark brown. This species is fast-growing, and such a plant can live for about 500 years. Forms of Caucasian fir: weeping, golden-tipped, gray, upright, golden and white-tipped.

White fir (Abies concolor)

Such a fir among the representatives of the genus of fir is considered the queen. Under natural conditions, it can be found in the Southwest of the United States and in the North of Mexico. This tree prefers to grow in river canyons, as well as on mountain slopes at an altitude of 2 to 3 thousand meters above sea level. This species has a very high resistance to drought, while such a tree can live for about 350 years. Its height can vary from 40 to 60 meters, and the thickness of the trunk reaches 200 centimeters. The cone-shaped crown of a young tree is very lush, but as it ages, it thins significantly. The color of the bark on old specimens is ash-gray, while it is very rough and cracked. Green-yellow resinous buds are spherical in shape and about 50 mm in diameter. The length of the green-gray needles can reach up to 7 centimeters, and its width - up to 0.3 centimeters. The tip of the needles is rounded and notched, while the stomatal lines are located on both their upper and lower surfaces. The shape of the cones is cylindrical-oval, they can reach 14 centimeters in length and 5 centimeters in width. The color of immature cones is green or purple, and that of mature cones is pale brown. It has been cultivated since 1831. This plant looks incredibly beautiful against the background of yellowed larches in autumn. Popular decorative shapes:

1. Fir Compacta. Dwarf shrub cultivar, has open branches and blue needles. In some cases, it is called Compact Glauka.
2. Violacea. The height of such a fast-growing plant can reach up to 8 meters. The wide crown has a conical shape, and the long needles are painted in a bluish-white color. This fir has a very high decorative effect, as well as resistance to drought.

Siberian fir (Abies sibirica)

Under natural conditions, you can meet in the north-east of Russia, while this tree prefers to grow in river valleys, as well as in the highlands. This species is winter-hardy and shade-loving, and it is under state protection. Siberian fir is the most famous species of all that are included in this genus. In height, the plant can reach no more than 30 meters, and its narrow crown has a conical shape. The gray bark is smooth almost along its entire length, but at the very bottom it cracks. Narrow glossy needles are very soft, and they reach 30 mm in length. Their upper surface is dark green, and on the lower surface there are 2 stripes of white color. Ripe erect cones become pale brown. Varieties of Siberian fir: white, graceful, blue, motley, etc.

Not only the species described above are cultivated, but also such firs as: subalpine, Fraser, whole-leaved, equal-scaly, Semenova, Sakhalin, myra, graceful, Kefallin or Greek, high, Vicha, white-bark or bud-scale, white or European and Arizona.

Fir properties

A plant like fir stands out from all the others (even conifers). The fact is that there are no resinous substances in the wood of this tree at all, and this allows it to be used to create musical instruments, as well as to build ships. Fir bark is used to make a very valuable balm, and fir oil is extracted from needles and branches. A decoction made from bark and needles can increase efficiency, strengthen the immune system, eliminate toothache, and also reduce acidity in the stomach.

The resin of this plant has a powerful antiseptic effect, so it is used to treat cuts, ulcers, wounds and abrasions. The indigenous people of America, as well as the first settlers, for a long time treated various diseases with fir resin, for example: cough, cancer, otitis media, scurvy, bronchitis, tuberculosis, eliminated pain in the throat, dysentery, inflammation of the mucous membrane, vaginal infection, gonorrhea, rheumatism, and even removed pain in the joints and muscles.

Medicines, which include fir cell sap extract, are used for various inflammatory processes, acute and chronic heart failure, rheumatism and infectious diseases. Fir cell sap is capable of:

• improve blood formation;
• strengthen immunity;
• fight inflammatory processes (used in the treatment of pulmonary diseases);
• prevent the development of hypertension;
• normalize and significantly improve the functioning of the excretory organs;
• normalize the work of the digestive tract;
• saturate the body with the missing macro- and microelements, as well as vitamins;
• protect from exposure to radiation;
• have a sedative and antioxidant effect, as well as increase the body's resistance to negative environmental influences.

It is also used in the prevention of heart and vascular diseases and oncology.

You can buy fir juice in the form of a phyto-cocktail, it is completely ready for use. You can also buy it in its natural form, but this type of juice can only be drunk diluted.

Fir essential oil shows very good results even in cases in which various chemotherapeutic drugs are completely powerless. For example, this oil helps to slow down, and in some cases stop the growth of cancer cells. The oil enters directly into the bloodstream and accumulates in the focus of the disease, while it fully retains its healing properties, as it bypasses the digestive organs. The active component of this substance is camphor. Fir oil is widely used in traditional medicine, as it has an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, sedative, bactericidal, analgesic, tonic and tonic effect. It is also quite popular in cosmetology, it is used to eliminate: lichen, edema, flabbiness of the epidermis, acne, boils, wrinkles, warts, etc.

Before you start using preparations or folk remedies prepared on the basis of fir, you should familiarize yourself with some rules:

1. It is necessary for the duration of treatment to refuse drinks that contain even a small dose of alcohol.
2. You can not take such funds in the presence of individual intolerance to fir.
3. You can not use these drugs for the treatment of people with kidney pathology, as well as patients with epilepsy, and those who have an ulcer or gastritis of the stomach. And they should also be abandoned by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children.
4. If you use the product incorrectly or exceed the dosage, this can lead to an allergic reaction. If red spots, itching and swelling appear on the skin, the drug should be stopped immediately.

To check whether the agent will cause an allergic reaction or not, it is necessary to apply 10 to 15 drops of this drug to the skin of the back of the hand and rub it well. You can evaluate the result after 2-3 days. But even if you are not allergic to fir, you should still consult your doctor about the dosage before taking it.

Fir (Abies) is the ancient Latin name of the genus - abh (i.e., to abound), which, apparently, is associated with strong branching and foliation of branches. There are about 50 species of fir, common in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Fir - large, sometimes huge trunk up to 60 m in height and 2 m in diameter, monoecious evergreen trees, with a beautiful cone-shaped crown. The trunk is straight, with gray bark. The conical crown begins almost at the ground. The root system is pivotal, powerful, deep into the soil.

In fir, the needles are flat, soft, with white stripes on the bottom, spirally located on the shoots, rather wide (up to 3 mm in some species), which is a hallmark of fir. Another characteristic feature of this genus is the upright cones, ripening in the first year and disintegrating while still on the trees to release the seeds. Most species of Fir do not tolerate air pollution at all.

Fir is an unusually beautiful ornamental tree with a clear pyramidal silhouette, perfect for single plantings. Beautiful in the alleys of parks, great for creating living walls.

Types of Fir, photo and description by growth and preference for growing conditions:

Abies alba (white fir)

White fir is a tall coniferous tree with a cone-shaped crown, an expressive stem and branches arranged in whorls. By the age of 30, it reaches 15-18 m. The needles are dark green, flat, shiny. In youth, it is shade-loving, demanding on moisture and soil. For good development, it requires sufficiently deep, loose, moist, fertile, loamy or sandy soils. It does not tolerate dry air and soil, and grows poorly on waterlogged soils. White fir is sensitive to air pollution. Can be used in parks, but only in places with appropriate conditions. Winter hardiness zone 5V

Abies alba (white fir) "Pyramidalis"

Variety "Pyramidalis" with a regular cone-shaped crown. Initially very slow growing, after 30 years it reaches up to 5 m high. The branches are directed at an angle upwards. The needles are dark green, shiny. Abies alba "Pyramidalis" grows best in humid climates. Sensitive to frosty dry winds and early frosts. Recommended for planting near houses, in sheltered places. Winter hardiness zone 5V

Abies Arnoldiana (Arnold fir) "Jan Pawel ll"

Fir Arnold "Jan Pawel ll" fast-growing coniferous tree, cone-shaped, grows at the age of 30 to 10 m. The branches are laid slightly at an angle, in regular circles. The needles are wide, shiny, greenish-yellow in color, white as chalk below. Abies Arnoldiana "Jan Pawel ll" needs fertile and moist soils. Recommended for planting in parks and large gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5V

Abies balsamea (Balsamic fir) "Nana"

A dwarf shrub of a rounded shape, at the age of 10 years it reaches up to 0.5 m in height and approximately the same in diameter. The needles are short dark green, radially arranged along the shoots. Needs moist fertile soil. Recommended for rocky gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Abies balsamea (balsam fir) "Piccolo"

A small compact bush, rounded, reaching a height of about 0.3 m in 10 years and a similar diameter. The needles are short with blunt tips. Needs fairly fertile and moist soil. Recommended for Alpine mountains and container compositions. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Abies concolor (one color fir)

Tall fast growing delightful tree with a regular conical crown. The branches are whorled and horizontal, the lower branches are lowered to the ground. At the age of 30 years, it reaches about 10-12 m in height, the size of an adult tree is 20-25 (40) m in height. At home in California there are specimens up to 60 m high, 7-9 (10) m wide, trunk girth up to 3 m. Annual growth in height, in the first 10 years about 35-55 cm and 15 cm wide, then slowly, lives up to 500 years. The needles are unusually long, up to 8 cm long and 2.5 mm. wide, gray-bluish-green on both sides, arranged asymmetrically, comb-shaped, sometimes crescent-shaped, soft with a lemon smell, remains on the tree up to 8-10 years. Buds are green to purple at first, light brown when ripe. The root system is superficial or deep, depending on the soil. Light-loving, shade-tolerant. Grows optimally in deep, fresh, fertile, acidic or slightly alkaline, well-drained sandy-clay soils, grows well even in deep dry sandy soils. Avoids clay and gley soils, like no other fir is sensitive to waterlogging of the soil. It tolerates heat, drought and insufficient air humidity, the most drought-resistant and frost-resistant fir. A distinctive feature is the endurance of urban air pollution. The species is undemanding to the soil and the environment, suitable for large gardens, urban plantings, parks, in single and group loose plantings. Winter hardiness zone 4. It has decorative forms.

Abies concolor "Argentea"

Beautiful silvery coniferous tree of the correct conical shape. It grows rapidly, reaches 10-12 m in height after 30 years. The needles are long, soft, silver-blue. Grows well even on poor soils. Frost-resistant, drought-resistant and little sensitive to air pollution. Recommended for use in parks, gardens, urban landscaping. Hardiness zone 4

Abies concolor (one color fir) "Compacta"

A dwarf variety with a compact, but irregular, wide-conical crown shape, at the age of 30 years, about 2-3 m. Height. The needles are shorter than those of the species, grayish-blue. It is undemanding to soils and humidity. Recommended for single landings on specific places. Hardiness zone 4

Abies concolor "Clauca"

In all respects, the characteristic is similar to the species form, but the needles are bluish in color. Trees after 30 years reach up to 12 m in height. The needles are long and soft. Grows well even on poor soils. Resistant to low temperatures, drought and air pollution. Used for landscaping parks, large areas, urban landscaping. Hardiness zone 4

Abies concolor "Violacea"

A tree with a regular cone-shaped and dense crown, lowered to the very ground. It grows especially fast, after 30 years it reaches 10-12 m in height. Needles are long, soft, bright bluish-white. Undemanding, resistant to low temperatures, drought and air pollution. For planting in parks, gardens and urban landscaping. Hardiness zone 4

Abies concolor (one color fir) "Wintergold"

The variety grows a little slower than the species form, but reaches the size of a large tree, after 30 years 3-5 m. Height. The annual growth is about 20 cm. The needles are long, soft, identical on both sides, yellow-green in summer, golden yellow in winter. Undemanding, frost-resistant and smoke-gas resistant. Used for large plots and urban landscaping. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Abies koreana (Korean fir)

Korean fir is a slowly growing tree with a broadly conical shape, reaching 3-4 m in height at the age of 30. The needles are short, green above, glossy, whitish on the back. A characteristic feature of the Abies koreana variety is purple-blue cones 4-7 cm long, appearing already on young trees 1-1.5 m tall. Needs moist, fertile soil. This variety is recommended for small household plots. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Abies koreana (Korean fir) "Silberlocke"

Slow-growing tree, wide-conical shape, reaches about 4 m in height at the age of 30. The needles are short, in contrast to the main species, strongly curved, so that the back, whitish side is visible. Forms numerous purple-blue cones. Needs fertile and moist soil. Looks good in Japanese gardens, as well as alone, in a conspicuous place. Winter hardiness zone 5V

Abies lasiocarpa (mountain fir) "Compacta"

Mountain fir "Compacta" is a dwarf variety with a dense, wide-conical shape, silver-blue needles, short, not prickly. Branches are short and rigid. At the age of 30, it reaches about 3 m in height. From a distance it resembles a silver spruce. Prefers fertile and moderately moist soil. Damaged by late spring frosts. Abies lasiocarpa "Compacta" is one of the most beautiful varieties of dwarf conifers. Recommended for small home gardens, rocky and heather gardens. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Abies veitchii (Witch's fir)

A slender tree with a pyramidal crown. It is characterized by rapid growth, at the age of 30 it reaches more than 10 m in height. The shoots are arranged obliquely upwards, due to which the white bottom of the needles is clearly visible. Needs fertile, moist soils. One of the most resistant types of fir. Recommended for large gardens and parks. Winter hardiness zone 5A

Fir differs from other tree species in its unusually beautiful silhouette, clear as a candle, with very decorative vertical cones, firs are among the most imposing conifers on Earth. In gardens and parks, firs grow well on evenly moist, fertile soils. And of course, their full beauty is revealed only in solitary plantings.

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Do you know what kind of tree a fir is? It is an evergreen with a deep root system. It has a wide conical shape with outstretched branches. The tree grows slowly, with an annual growth of 3 to 5 centimeters. At 30 years old, the size of a fir tree reaches two to three meters in height, and in general, some species of this plant can grow up to sixty meters.

Prefers in nature open sunny places and partial shade. Fir needles can be either gray-blue or dark green. She has tough and relatively thick shoots. Likes fresh, deep, slightly acidic soil. Can grow even on sandy, dry soil. The best time for planting fir is from March to November. This plant looks great both in and in a single planting. Fir flowering (the photo of the tree is presented in this article) is beautiful.

The tree lives 300-400 years, old-timers are also known in history, which were more than 700 years old.

The name of the plant comes from the German Fichte, which means "spruce" in translation.

How to distinguish fir from spruce?

The fir tree (the description will be presented to your attention below) looks like a spruce, and an inexperienced person can easily make a mistake. However, the differences between the two plants are significant.

What does a fir tree look like? His crown is located at the base of the trunk, unlike spruce and pine. The needles are very soft, with long and flat needles. Spruce needles are hard, short and prickly. Each fir needle has two white stripes on the underside. The needles are slightly sharp, located on reproductive shoots, or rounded towards the end (such needles grow on vegetative branches).

The needles on fir branches grow only on two sides, so the shoots themselves look “flat”. In spruce, the needles are located on the shoot in a circle.

There are two types of fir cones - men's cones are more like earrings made of small "flowers". Female cones are large, cylindrical or egg-shaped, growing upwards, as if "sitting" on a branch. Spruce cones usually hang down.

In winter, fir needles remain bright, unlike other conifers, whose needles fade slightly in the cold season. If you cut a fir branch and bring it home, then the needles will not dry out and fall off, unlike Christmas tree needles. Therefore, fir is more often used in home decoration for the New Year holidays, beautiful compositions are created from twigs that can look good for a very long time.

Types of fir

In total, there are about 50 species of fir, some of them are quite low, only 30 cm in height and look more like shrubs. There are also mighty trees, up to 80 m high. Some varieties grow in southern countries, for example, in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. But most of all, fir is common in the forests of Europe and Russia, from the Southern Urals to the Arctic Ocean. Accordingly, the frost resistance of fir depends on its type.

Siberian fir

The Siberian fir tree species is a frost-resistant plant that is common in the taiga northern forests of Russia. Usually chooses to grow places closer to the water, for example, in river valleys and highlands. Siberian fir (a photo of the tree is given below) has a cone-shaped and rather narrow crown. The needles are dark green with soft, shiny and narrow needles. The length of the needles is three centimeters. Traditionally, two white stripes on the underside of each needle. The size of adult Siberian fir trees is quite impressive. They reach a height of 30 meters.

The trunk of the plant is gray in color, the bark is smooth, thin at the top and on the branches, and thick and cracked below.

The cones are light brown in color, grow straight up on the branch.

There are several varieties of Siberian fir - blue, motley, elegant.

Siberian fir is a valuable plant and is protected by the state.

Fir Nordmann (Caucasian)

This is an endemic plant found only in the Caucasus, therefore it is included in the list of protected plants. Lives in nature for 500 years.

Caucasian fir is a tall, powerful tree that grows up to sixty meters in height. In this case, the thickness of the trunk can even reach two meters. The crown of this tree is lowered low, the shape is conical, the top is narrow.

Dark green needles, with slightly pointed, long four-centimeter needles. There are two white stripes on the underside of each needle.

The bark on the trunk is smooth and shiny, even in its lower part. Only when the tree reaches the age of eighty, cracks may appear on the trunk below.

Cones ovoid, large. Usually they are twenty centimeters long and five in diameter. The buds are dark green when young and turn brown when mature.

Nordmann's fir also has its own varieties - golden, gray, weeping, upright.

Korean fir

The homeland of this plant is the mountains of the southern part of the Korean peninsula. This plant tolerates high altitude conditions well, including winter frosts, as it grows at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. The peculiarity of this type of fir is that it grows very slowly at a young age. However, after a few years, its growth is greatly accelerated. This is a relatively low fifteen-meter tree, with a rather thin trunk up to eighty centimeters. The crown has a traditional conical shape.

A feature of this species is the color of the bark. Young trees have a thin, smooth, ash-colored bark. With age, this color changes to purple or dark brown with a chestnut tint. At the bottom of the trunk of trees that have lived for several decades, the bark is covered with cracks.

The needles of the Korean fir are very beautiful, thick and lush. However, the needles are harsh and slightly curved upwards, have a saber shape. Below, each needle is an ash-silver color that spreads along two stomatal bands.

The cones of this type of fir are very beautiful, cylindrical in shape, of an unusual purple color. However, the size of the cones is small, reaching only three centimeters in diameter, and only seven centimeters in length.

This very beautiful tree is very popular in landscape design, because its varieties are very different from each other. For example, "Blue Standard" has bright purple buds, and "Piccolo" reaches a height of only 30 centimeters.

Balsam fir

This type of fir (a photo of a tree and cones is given in this article) was brought to the territory of Eurasia from across the ocean, since it is naturally distributed in the USA and Canada. Balsam fir grows in latitudes with a rather harsh climate, up to the tundra. It is also found in the highlands, at an altitude of up to two thousand meters above sea level. The peculiarity of this plant is that it is not long-lived, like other types of fir, its limit is 200 years.

Balsam fir is not very tall - up to twenty-five meters. The thickness of the trunk in this case can reach seventy centimeters.

The bark is ash-colored and smooth on young trees. Brown with a reddish tinge, the trunks are found in old plants.

Needles of balsam fir up to three centimeters in length. The needles are not sharp, dark green, soft. If you rub a few needles in your palms, you can feel a pleasant characteristic smell. The peculiarity of the needles of this tree is that its needles are “long-playing”, they do not fall off for seven years.

This fir has very beautiful cones of interesting shape, up to ten centimeters long, but at the same time narrow - just over two centimeters in diameter. Young buds are very beautiful, they have a dark purple color. When they ripen, they change color and become brown and resinous.

Interesting varieties of balsam fir. "Hudson" - a dwarf tree with dense branches and a wide crown and variegated color of needles. "Nana" is also a low shrub-like plant, only 50 centimeters in height. The color of the needles is unusual, has a yellow-green tint.

How to plant fir?

Like all conifers, the fir tree (the photo and description of which became the subject of our review) is an unpretentious plant. However, certain features and rules when planting and caring for this tree must be known.

When planting, it is better to take a container culture, since such plants can be planted almost all year round. They take root well in spring, summer, and even autumn. The only time it is not recommended to plant plants is during severe frosts in frozen ground.

What are the advantages of container cultures?

The lump with the roots is preserved in its entirety. For conifers, this is extremely important. The fact is that on the roots of all coniferous plants, including fir, a special microorganism lives - mycorrhiza, which helps plants absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. When dried, this microorganism dies. If it is proposed to buy a coniferous seedling with an open root system, then in no case should you buy it. Most likely, such a tree will not take root.

Coniferous fir tree is a champion in endurance, perfectly withstands drought. Nevertheless, it must be planted correctly so that it subsequently grows well, looks beautiful, fluffy. One of the first conditions for the proper planting of fir is the choice of location. It should be well lit, sunny or, in extreme cases, light partial shade. The second condition is to properly dig a hole in which to plant fir.

How to dig a hole when planting?

It is necessary to dig a hole for the future plant, approximately 20 centimeters wider and 30 centimeters deeper than the clod of earth protecting the roots of the seedling. How to correctly determine the depth of a dug hole? This is easy to do - put the shovel handle across the pit. It will serve as the defining level. Place a seedling with a clod of earth in a hole and look at the level of how deep the plant will be planted.

In no case should the root neck be buried, from there the first root of the seedling will grow after planting. This place only needs to be lightly sprinkled with earth. Therefore, if you have deepened the hole too much, then you must definitely add earth or make a drainage layer. Broken brick can be used as drainage. Fir does not like when moisture stagnates in the roots.

Work with the drainage layer and top dressing of the plant

The drainage layer is lightly sprinkled with earth. After that, you should again measure the depth of the hole, whether it is suitable for the seedling or not, not forgetting to use the shovel handle. If everything is in order, then a little mineral fertilizer can be applied to the layer of earth covering the drainage, one hundred grams will be enough. After that, be sure to mix the soil so that there is no direct contact of the fertilizer with the roots of the plant.

We place the seedling in the hole and fill in the open space around the roots. Well, if you use a special mixture for this:

1. - 3 parts.
2. Sand - 1 part.
3. Peat - 1 part.

Proper planting of fir and watering

Try to plant the plant strictly vertically. The soil around the stem of the seedling should be slightly tamped down with your hands to settle any voids that may have formed during planting. You can form a side around the plant from the ground so that the water does not spread when watering. Water the plant well immediately. This should be done from a watering can or hose, substituting a hand under the stream of water so that the soil does not erode.

You can pour water directly on the top of the fir, on the twigs - conifers love this very much. Water the seedling should be three times, allowing water to soak into the soil each time. Just need to pour about a bucket of water.

The first watering is very important for the survival of the plant, which must be saturated with moisture. In addition, all the voids that still remain in the hole are gradually filled with heavy, moist earth.

Mulching

After the moisture has been absorbed, it is advisable to mulch the plant. You can do this with peat or coniferous wood chips, the spruce branches of the thuja are also suitable. Carefully cover with this material on the ground, and it is not necessary to remove it during subsequent watering. It will perfectly pass moisture and prevent it from evaporating excessively.

fir care

After planting, coniferous plants are watered quite often. Once a week, a bucket of water should be poured under the tree. Mineral substances that were introduced into the root system during planting will last for approximately 2-3 years. Throughout this period of time, the plant does not need to be fertilized with fertilizers.

sunburn

A young coniferous fir tree is afraid of sunburn. In spring and summer, when the sun begins to bake strongly, fir needles can burn, turn yellow and then crumble. You can avoid this if you slightly shade the plant with straw, spruce branches or craft paper, burlap, leaving gaps for diffused lighting. It is also necessary to protect the seedling from the wind. To do this, it should be tied to a peg.

When and how to use fertilizers?

After the plant is well rooted, and this will happen in 2-3 years, you can begin to fertilize it. Fir is an evergreen plant, it does not require rapid replenishment of nutrients as for deciduous trees. Therefore, it does not need a lot of fertilizer.

The best fertilizer for conifers (including fir) is the introduction of good humus or compost into the trunk circle. How to do it? Loosen the soil a little, apply fertilizer and mix it with the ground. You just need to be careful at the same time, since the root system of the fir is shallow, so it’s worth dropping fertilizers only on the very surface of the soil.

The following mineral fertilizers are suitable for fir: 30-40 grams of nitroammophoska per square meter of the trunk circle. Top dressing is applied once a year, in spring or at the very beginning of autumn. In no case should you fertilize the soil for fir in late autumn. This can provoke the growth of new shoots that do not have time to mature and suffer in winter, freeze.

pruning

Nature has endowed the fir with a very beautiful crown, as a rule, this plant does not need pruning. Unless in the spring you will notice after the winter a broken branch or a dried one, as a result of some kind of physical impact. For example, there was too much snow, and the branches of a young tree could not withstand the load.

If fir grows and develops in conditions suitable for it, then the immunity of the plant will be strong. The tree will not suffer from diseases or pests. However, if the plant experienced stress, for example, during a hot dry summer there was little watering and the branches dried up, the needles began to fall off, such a plant may be affected by diseases.

Fir usually suffers from fungal diseases. A damp, warm winter is especially favorable for the appearance of the fungus. This can be dealt with by using special preparations.

Phytotherapy

Of all the species of this plant, Siberian fir is mainly used for medical purposes (photos of the tree and leaves, or rather the needles were filed above). Many different medicines are produced from its resin.

Resin in fir is formed in special formations, nodules, on the stem of the plant. It contains 30% essential oil and 70% vegetable resins. Turpentine is produced from fir resin, which is widely used. For example, for turpentine baths according to Dr. Zalmanov's prescription.

Fir essential oils (photo of the tree and leaves above) are remarkable in that they have a calming effect on the human nervous system, relieve migraines. They can be used for baths and massages by adding to the base oil. Fir essential oil is also used for cosmetics, in particular, for very effective hair masks. There are no contraindications to the use of this natural remedy, except for individual intolerance, allergies.

Since ancient times, not only resin or resin has been used for medicinal purposes. Needles, bark and even wood can also help get rid of many diseases. Fir needles contain a large amount of vitamins, especially vitamin C. Its content is especially high in winter, it helps trees and animals that eat needles to survive the cold.

In summer, the content of essential oils in fir needles increases. In addition to vitamin C, the needles contain vitamins A, E. Preparations from fir needles and decoctions have a diuretic property and help strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Needles can help a person with heart disease, colds, broncho-pulmonary, rheumatic. The range of application of fir needles is quite wide. The successful use of preparations from fir needles in post-stroke manifestations is known.

Vitamin infusions are prepared from paws and needles. In order to preserve the content of vitamin C in fir needles, it must be collected in winter and stored under snow in the yard or in the freezer of the refrigerator. In summer, coniferous fir legs can be used immediately.

Fir branches are also used for bath procedures. This is especially useful in winter - add a fresh, small foot of fir to a birch broom for a steam room. This will enhance the healing massage. Under the influence of boiling water, the needles will begin to release useful essential oils that are pleasantly smelling and good for the skin and respiratory organs.

It must be remembered that resin and needles should be collected only outside the cities, in ecologically clean areas - in the forest, taiga, away from industrial enterprises.

Long walks in the fir forest are very useful. Here the air is always clean and saturated with phytoncides, which are excellent for the respiratory system. It strengthens the immune system and helps asthmatics.

musical plant

Fir is used not only for healing, but also for the manufacture of musical instruments. This wood has very good properties for creating beautiful sound resonance. When the tree dries, empty resin passages are formed inside the trunk and bark, which have a wonderful resonating effect.

Fir (abies) is an evergreen tree or shrub from the Pine family. Outwardly, the plant is very similar to spruce, and in the structure and direction of growth of cones - to cedar. Most representatives are distributed from the tropics to the Arctic Circle of the Northern Hemisphere. The largest number of firs is concentrated in the west of Canada, the USA and in East Asia. Depending on the type of fir, they are thermophilic or frost-resistant, but all are sensitive to drought and stagnant water. Fir is used in the woodworking industry, landscaping, as well as in traditional medicine.

Botanical description

Fir is an evergreen perennial in the form of a tree or shrub. Its pyramidal crown can be translucent or dense, narrow or spreading. Height, depending on climatic conditions and species, is 0.5-80 m. The rhizome is predominantly taproot, but is located shallow (up to 2 m from the soil surface). Young trunks and branches are covered with a smooth gray-brown bark, which becomes covered with vertical deep cracks over the years. The branches grow annularly, almost perpendicular to the trunk or have an ascending character.

Needles and resinous buds are located on young shoots. Flat, not too hard needles narrowed at the base. They have solid edges and 2 white stripes at the bottom. The needles grow comb-like, in two planes. The needles are located singly and are painted in dark green, sometimes bluish-silver color. Their length is about 5-8 cm.

Fir is a monoecious plant. She dissolves male and female cones. Male strobili resemble catkins and grow in clusters. Due to the large amount of pollen, they acquire a straw yellow or reddish color. The female cones are cylindrical or egg-shaped and grow on erect stems pointing upwards. The length of each is 3-11 cm. Covering scales are attached to the rod. Initially, their color is dominated by pinkish-purple hues. Over time, lignified scales turn brown. Already in the autumn of this year, small winged seeds ripen under them. In September-October, the cone completely crumbles, and the seeds scatter. Only rods remain on the branches.

Types and varieties of perennial

In total, 50 species of plants are registered in the genus fir.

An inhabitant of highland Asia and South Korea is part of mixed forests. The tree has a wide crown in the form of a cone. It grows up to 15 m in height. The light gray bark has a reddish-brown or purple tinge. Dense needles 10-15 mm long are distinguished by a hard surface and a saber-shaped shape. It has a dark green color. Violet-purple cylindrical cones grow 5-7 cm in length. Popular varieties:

• Silberlock - a low (up to 200 cm) conical tree covered with dark green needles with silver-white stripes at the base;
• Brilliant is a dwarf (0.3-0.60 m) plant with an oval bright green crown.

A slender tree with an openwork crown grows up to 30 m in height. Almost from the very ground it is covered with thin branches with smooth dark gray bark. Gradually, deep cracks appear on the bark. The variety emits a large amount of fragrant transparent resin (fir balsam). Dark green needles with a wax coating last up to 7-10 years. Flowering occurs in May, and fruit ripening in September-October.

An inhabitant of North America is found off the coast of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a slender tree 15-25 cm high with a cone-shaped crown. Needles 15-25 mm long have a blunt edge and a small notch at the end. Light stripes are visible at the base of the glossy dark green needles. Oval purple strobili grow 5-10 cm long and 20-25 mm in diameter. Varieties:

• Nana is a low, prostrate shrub that is 0.5 m high and up to 2.5 m wide. It is distinguished by short (only 4-10 mm in length) dark green needles;
• Piccolo is a rounded shrub up to 40 cm in diameter with dense, closely spaced branches strewn with dark green needles.

Caucasian fir (Nordmann). Trees about 60 m tall are found along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and Turkey. They have a narrow crown in the shape of a cone. Due to its high density, it almost does not transmit light. The kidneys are devoid of resin. Dark green needles grow 1-4 cm in length. In early May, green cones appear, which gradually turn dark brown. The length of the cones is 12-20 cm.

The tree grows in the mountains of the southeastern United States. It has a conical or columnar crown and reaches a height of 12-25 m. The bark of young shoots is smooth gray, and the bark of old shoots is scaly red-brown. Short (up to 20 mm) needles are dark green in color. The oblong female strobili are about 3.5-6 cm long, purplish in appearance, but then turn yellow-brown. The variety is famous for its good frost resistance.

Fir one-color (concolor). A tree up to 60 m high and with a trunk diameter of up to 190 cm lives in the mountainous regions of the western United States. It is actively used in the woodworking industry. The plant has a gray smooth bark and branches perpendicular to the trunk. Flat green needles with a slight blue or whitish tint are crescent-shaped. Their length is 1.5-6 cm. Cones appear in May. Men's, smaller, collected in groups and painted purple or red. Female, oval grow in length by 7-12 cm. They have a light green tint.

White fir (European or comb). A tree 30-65 m high is common in southern and central Europe. The pyramidal or oval translucent crown consists of horizontal or raised branches covered with flat dark green needles 2-3 cm long. Female cylindrical cones grow 10-16 cm in length. They change color from green to dark brown.

A tree 30 m high has a narrow, symmetrical crown of a conical shape. Shoots are covered with smooth silver-gray bark. Slightly forked soft needles reach 1-3 cm in length. It is painted dark green and has bluish-white stripes at the base. Cylindrical cones directed upwards, 45-55 mm long, are purple when they appear, but become dark brown.

Reproduction methods

Fir is propagated using seeds and cuttings. The seed method is more suitable for species plants. Seeds are collected at the beginning of the ripening stage. This can be done while the cones have not yet disintegrated and the seeds have not scattered over long distances. They are dried and the seed material is removed. Until next spring, the seeds are left in a cloth bag. In order for them to undergo stratification, the bag is placed in a refrigerator or basement for several months. In the middle of spring they are planted in open ground. To do this, prepare a bed. Garden soil is mixed with soddy soil and sand. The seeds are buried by 1.5-2 cm, and then covered with a film. Shoots appear in 20-25 days, after which the shelter can be removed. Regularly carry out watering and loosening. During the first year, it is important to remove weeds in a timely manner. For the winter, fir seedlings are covered with spruce branches. In the spring they can be transplanted to a permanent place. At first, plants develop quite slowly. The annual growth is up to 10 cm.

Varietal fir is usually propagated by cuttings. For this, annual shoots from young individuals are used. The length of the cutting should be 5-8 cm. It is important that there is a single bud at the top, and a heel (a piece of bark from the mother plant) is preserved at the base. Cuttings are harvested in early spring, until sap flow begins. It is better to do this at the beginning of the day in cloudy weather. Soak the shoots in a fungicide solution 6 hours before planting to prevent fungal infections. It is important to ensure that the bark on the heel does not separate from the wood. Planting is carried out in pots filled with a mixture of leaf and humus soil and river sand. Seedlings are covered with a transparent film, which should not come into contact with the top. For better rooting, bottom heating is organized so that the soil temperature is 2-3 ° C higher than room temperature. Containers are placed in a place with bright, diffused light. Every day you need to air the cuttings and moisten the soil as necessary. Since May, they are exposed to fresh air, and for the winter they are taken back to the house. A full-fledged rhizome develops in a year.

Features of landing and transplantation

Fir grows best in partial shade or in a well-lit place, protected from gusts of wind. It does not tolerate high air pollution and stagnant water in the soil. Planting work is planned for mid-spring or early autumn on a cloudy day. The land should be fertile with a slightly acidic reaction. Fir grows well on drained loam.

Site preparation begins 3-4 weeks in advance. They dig it up and form a hole 60 cm wide and deep. A drainage layer of gravel, crushed stone or fragments of red brick is laid out at the bottom. Then a mound is poured from a mixture of humus, clay, sand, peat, nitrophoska and sawdust. When planting, the roots are distributed evenly, fixing the root neck at the level of the soil. The free space is filled with a nutrient substrate. It is tamped down and a near-stem circle is formed with a small recess for watering.

For group plantings between plants, it is necessary to maintain a distance of 2.5-4.5 m. The same distance should be maintained with respect to buildings and fences.

Unlike other conifers, fir at the age of 5-10 years tolerates transplanting well. Preparation for the procedure begins at 6-12 months. With the help of a shovel, a circle is drawn at a distance of about 40-50 cm from the trunk to a depth of 1 bayonet. On the appointed day, the procedure is repeated and an earthen ball is hooked. The plant is removed along with a clod of earth. It is important to try to maintain its integrity and immediately land in a new place so that the rhizome does not dry out.

Fir Care Secrets

Fir is considered an undemanding plant. The greatest attention will have to be paid to young plants. In the first years after planting, you should regularly loosen and weed the soil so that it does not take on a crust. Be sure to mulch the surface with a layer of wood chips, sawdust or peat to a height of 58 cm. It is necessary to slightly move the mulch away from the trunk.

Watering is necessary only during prolonged drought. Decorative moisture-loving varieties need them more. Fir does not like stagnant water at the roots, so irrigation is carried out in small portions so that moisture has time to soak into the ground.

2-3 years after planting, the plants are fed for the first time. In the spring, mineral fertilizer (“Kemira-universal”) is scattered in the near-stem circle.

Pruning is carried out in early spring. Most often, damaged, dry shoots are removed, but the crown can be shaped. You can remove no more than 30% of the length of the shoots.

Mature plants easily tolerate even severe frosts and do not need shelter. Young individuals should be additionally protected by mulching the soil with peat and dry foliage to a height of 10-12 cm. It would not be superfluous to cover the base of the trunk or the entire low bush with spruce branches.

Plant diseases rarely bother fir. Sometimes you need to observe yellowing of the needles and rusty pillows on the bark (rust). Damaged sprouts are removed completely and treated with a fungicide ("Bordeaux liquid").

The main pest of the plant is fir hermes (a small insect, a type of aphid). If it is found, it should be treated with an insecticide. Most often, gardeners practice preventive spraying in early spring, during the awakening of insects.

The most common conifers in our country are spruces and pines. Recently, however, more and more gardeners prefer fir - for its elegant harmony, unusual appearance of needles, flowering elegance and beautiful cones. And those who continue to decorate a living “Christmas tree” for the New Year also like fir because its needles do not crumble for a long time. Such a tree can decorate the house for a whole month. There are many different forms of fir, and each of them is good in its own way.

Fir (Abies)- a genus of evergreen plants of the Pine family. The Latin name of the genus comes from the Indo-Germanic "abh", which means "abundant", meaning the abundance of branches with dense needles on a tree. One of the distinguishing features of fir is flat, soft, shiny needles and beautiful cones (reminiscent of cedar) that always grow upwards (unlike other representatives of conifers). In most species of fir, the branches are arranged horizontally. Pollination is carried out with the help of wind. The seeds are winged, therefore they scatter for tens of kilometers and form forests, sometimes occupying tens and hundreds of thousands of hectares.

Usually fir has a pyramidal crown shape. The height of the tree depends on the species and variety.

In nature, there are about 50 species of fir. Thanks to the work of breeders, many varieties of this coniferous tree have been created. They are adapted to life in various climatic conditions, have different heights and shapes, but retain specific features. In the conditions of Ukraine, the following types and varieties of fir feel good.

Balsam fir (abies balsamea) is native to North America. Compared to trees of other species, balsam fir does not live long - 150-200 years. It is not harmed by frosts in spring or autumn and severe frosts in winter. It is demanding on soil and moisture, shade-tolerant, and grows rapidly. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 20-30 years, forming very beautiful dark purple cones. In nature, trees of this species reach a height of 15-25 m, the needles are very pleasant to the touch, soft, dark green and fragrant. In culture since 1697

Korean fir (Abies koreana) in nature, it grows in the mountains in the south of the Korean Peninsula at an altitude of up to 1,800 m. It forms mixed and pure fir forests. At an early age, it grows very slowly.

The height of an adult plant is about 15 m, the diameter of the trunk reaches 70-80 cm. The needles are hard and very dense, just dark green above, and silvery below. Cones are cylindrical, 5-7 cm long, 3-4 cm in diameter. At a young age, a very beautiful purple-lilac color. Korean fir appeared in Europe in 1905. This is one of the most beautiful species, many varieties have been bred on its basis, which differ in the height of the tree, the color and shade of the needles, its placement on the branches and the color of the cones. In addition, there are many stem varieties that look great in small gardens. Many varieties of Korean fir are suitable for the climatic conditions of Ukraine. Let's talk about the most beautiful of them.

Blauer Pfiff (Abies koreana Blauer Pfiff)- a tree of wide-conical shape. At the age of 10, the height of the plant is 80-100 cm, the width at the base is up to 150 cm. The needles are silver-green, the cones are purple-blue. Prefers sunny places, undemanding to the soil.

Sis (Abies koreana Cis)- a miniature spherical plant. At the age of 10, it grows up to only 30 cm. The needles are very decorative, green with a bluish tint, non-thorny. Prefers sunny places. It looks very beautiful and noble in rock gardens, as well as in pots on terraces.

Brilliant (Abies koreana Brilliant) and Dark Hill (Abies koreana Dark Hill)- dwarf plants, not higher than 50 cm, which are perfect for miniature Japanese gardens, small garden plots and alpine slides.

Kohouts Icebreaker (A. Kohouts Icebreaker) one of the newest varieties. It features beautiful silver-blue needles, which are densely placed on the branches and twisted up.

Nana (Abies koreana Nana) pyramidal tree, 1.5-2.0 m high with very beautiful blue cones.

Silver show (Abies koreana Silver Show)- a tree 2.0-2.5 m high, a stack-shaped crown. The needles are densely placed on the branches from all sides, strongly twisted upwards - so that the lower almost white side of the needles is visible. Therefore, the tree appears to be covered with snow. Buds are purple blue.

Silverlock (Abies koreana Silverlock)- a tree up to 4 m high. The needles partially twist up, its lower silver-gray side is visible. Buds are purple blue.

Starker Dwarf (Abies koreana Starker Dwarf)- one of the newest extremely decorative varieties. This is a bush form of fir. Plant height - 1.0-1.5 m. Width -1.5-1.8 m. The needles are short, green, soft. Cones are oval pale blue.

Rough-fruited fir (or subalpine, mountain) (Abies lasiocarpa) naturally grows in North America. A tree 15-30 m high lives for more than 250 years. grows slowly. The crown is dense. Cones 6-10 cm long. Up to 4 cm in diameter. Young cones are bright dark purple. Rarely cultivated. The most famous variety is Compacta (A. lasiocarpa Compacta). bred in 1879 Tree of conical shape, up to 1.5-2.0 m high, branches directed slightly upwards. The needles are soft, an unusual blue hue.

Fir Nordmann, or Caucasian (Abies nordmanniana) comes from the Caucasus Mountains. It grows very fast and lives up to 500 years. A tree up to 60 m high. The diameter of the trunk is 2 m. The crown is dense, branched, low, pointed. Needles up to 40 mm long. up to 3 mm wide, dark green on the upper side, and with two white stripes on the lower side. Cones up to 20 cm long. About 5 cm in diameter; bright green when young, brown and resinous when mature. The most beautiful variety Pendula (Abies nordmanniana Pendula) reaches 2-3 m in height. The branches are lowered down, the lower ones lie on the ground. The tree looks like a bright green waterfall shimmering in the sun

Pinsapo fir (Abies pinsapo). Sometimes it is called Spanish fir, as it naturally grows in southern Spain. In Ukraine, it is found on the southern coast of Crimea, in the Transcarpathian and Odessa regions. This is an evergreen coniferous plant up to 25 m high. The diameter of the trunk at the base is 1 m.

It has a low pyramidal crown. Young buds are deep crimson in color, always directed upwards. The needles are stiff, prickly, up to 1.5 cm long, of a very beautiful bluish-green color, placed evenly around the branch. Grows moderately. Plants are photophilous, undemanding to the soil, drought-resistant. The most beautiful Spanish fir looks like a tapeworm on the lawn, in alley plantings or group 8 with other conifers that have different needle colors.

Aurea (Abies pinsapoAurea)- one of the new varieties of this species. Tree up to 4 m high, pyramidal or irregular in shape. The needles are gray-golden, hard; young growths are bright golden yellow. The buds are red in color. Prefers sunny places. There are no special requirements for the soil.

Procera fir (Abiesprocera). or alpine settlement. One of the most beautiful views. It grows naturally in the Cascade Mountains of North America. Lives up to 300 years. Amateur gardeners also call this species royal fir or blue spruce. The needles of the procera fir are blue-green, do not crumble, even when dry. The cones are hard, reminiscent of a hedgehog curled up into a ball. The most common variety is Glauka (abies procera Glauka) with silver-blue needles.

What are fir - photo