Larch European - a bright representative of the unusual coniferous flora

We have all grown accustomed from childhood that coniferous trees must necessarily be evergreen, that even in winter they retain their needles. Many of us do not even think about what it might be wrong. Suffice it to recall that there is a tree larch in the world. Its name was received not by chance. Like deciduous trees, it begins to turn yellow in the fall and dump the needles, although they keep up until the beginning of winter. Such a property it is obliged to live in very severe conditions - larch is found even in the Far North. When leaves or pine needles fall, all biological processes are suspended in the tree, and it is easier for him to survive the cold. In addition to "deciduousness", larch from its conifers is distinguished by faster growth and almost "giant" sizes: other specimens grow to 50 meters.

There are more than twenty species of this species of coniferous flora, but the most common is Siberian larch. Also common are Japanese and European.

Larch European is loved by mankind for more than one hundred years. And all thanks to the unique qualities of wood, which is much stronger than pine, is resistant to moisture and does not rot. Even in Ancient Rome, amphitheaters were built from it. Until now, houses in Poland, built more than five hundred years ago, have been preserved. But the basis for them also served as European larch. Even in Venice, the piles of the buildings were larch, and they were not afraid of the constant proximity of the water. They did not bypass this unusual coniferous tree and builders of Russia. For a long time larchwood was used for log cabins and, of course, for building ships of tsarist Russia. By the way, it is because of this that in due time the areas of larch forests were reduced.

Now European larch is widely used for decorative purposes, in green plantings of parks and avenues. It looks remarkably harmonious in summer with emerald-green needles, and in autumn in a golden garment. With sufficient space, the crown of it extends widely, acquiring the shape of a cone. If the light is shaded by other trees, then the crown stretches outward, becoming narrow and exposing the trunk. It itself leaves enough light for other plants, which allows you to plant next to it bushes or perennial flowers. Not bad is the larch for pruning branches, which allows using it to create works of Japanese art - bonsai.

Larch European, as, indeed, other species, is valued in our time not only for its decorative features. From generation to generation, recipes are sent to the potions in which it is used. Infusion of her needles helps the body to stock up with vitamin C. Broth of resin is useful in diseases of joints. Essential oil, obtained from wood, is used as an antiseptic and anesthetic. In addition, rubbing from it is used for gout, lung diseases, neuralgia. A special mushroom that grows on larch is useful. This is a larch sponge. With tuberculosis it is used against a characteristic profuse sweating.