Mongolian oak: description and care

Oak at all times was considered not only a valuable tree, but also a symbol of strength, power, longevity and invincibility. No wonder he was portrayed on the arms of the nobility, he was worshiped, many people this tree was sacred and was part of the cult rituals.

Mongolian oak, although it has such a name, is currently not found in this country, although it was first discovered and described there. Like other representatives of the beech family, this strong and tall tree is a frequent "guest" and decoration of parks and squares.

Homeland of Mongolian oak

Currently, Mongolian oak is most often found in the Far East, Eastern Siberia and Asia. The beauty and becoming of this tree made him a favorite of many cities and towns.

The distribution of this species is very wide. Mongolian oak (photo below) is found in the southeast of Transbaikalia, in the Amur Region and Khabarovsk Territory, Primorye and Korea, the northern regions of China and Japan. Usually it forms groves along river valleys and on the slopes of mountains, reaching up to 700-meter height.

Pure plantations are rare and only on dry loams, while mixed with larch, Korean pine and cedar, oaks coexist on more humid soils.

Description of the tree

Large and tall trees stand out even in a dense forest. The same can be said about the Mongolian oak. The description of this mighty handsome man should begin with his growth, usually reaching 30 m in height. Its top is crowned by a dense crown, similar to a tent extended, as if woven from carved elongated leathery leaves. In one tree, the length of the leaves can vary from 8 to 20 cm with a width of 7 to 15 cm.

The bark of the Mongolian oak varies throughout life as it grows up, which, according to oak standards, is not that long: from 200 to 400 years. Initially, it is light gray, but with each passing year it becomes darker, reaching, in some cases, almost black.

Blossoming Mongolian oak in May, and by early September, he already ripens strong small acorns to 2 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width.

To grow a mighty tree from such a small fruit is a real science, but for hundreds of years it will be an ornament of the park or square.

Planting a tree

To become truly powerful oak Mongolian, the cultivation begins with the selection of the site and the preparation of the soil. This tree does not like strong winds, excessive humidity and acidic soil. If it is assumed that it will be surrounded by coniferous trees, then you should observe a sufficient distance between them, since they violate the acid-alkaline level of the earth. The best place for him will be a well-lit windless area with fertile soil.

You can grow Mongolian oak in two ways. Planting, caring for the seedlings are not very different, but the maturation time varies considerably. Reproduction is done by planting acorns or oak seedlings.

Before planting, select healthy fruits that have a dense and integral structure. It is important that the acorns are not hollow, and to check this, they need to be lowered into water or shaken. If the fruit is rotten from inside and outside looks healthy, when shaken, the trash will knock on its walls. A healthy acorn has an elastic "body" that does not emit any sounds during a concussion.

If planting is carried out in the autumn, then it is necessary to take care of protecting the seeds from frosts, which they do not tolerate well. The acorn is buried at a depth of 6 cm, covered with foliage or cripple, and on top with rubber or film to protect the shoot from excessive moisture. If you make a landing in the spring, then these manipulations can be avoided, but in winter, still have to protect the young germ from the cold.

It is safer when the acorns are pre-germinated at home, then the rodents will not dig them out of the earth in winter and will not eat them. With such a planting, the Mongolian oak will give a strong shoot, growing and caring for it will not require special efforts.

You should know: the first few years the tree grows very slowly, spending all its efforts to strengthen the root system. And only after 2-3 years can there be noticeable changes in the growth of its terrestrial part.

Care for oak

To the tree really turned stately and with a spreading beautiful crown, it needs care.

• Regular weeding of weeds, while the young growth. It is very important that the sprout is not closed from the sun.
• The feeding should be provided in the first years of life of the Mongolian oak, especially during the formation of the root system.
• Additional moisture should be provided to the tree in a dry summer, and to protect them from excess moisture during the rainy season, you can use mulch.
• Mongolian oak is not resistant to powdery mildew, which affects not only the leaves, but also the trunk of the tree, so it should be sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate.
• By winter, the thin trunks of young trees are wrapped up, and the roots are warmed by foliage.
• To prevent the effects of harmful insects, for example, oak barbel or a leaf roller, the seedlings are treated with a solution of "Decis".

As a rule, in such care the Mongolian oak needs only at an early age, and as it grows, it can be limited to top dressing and preventive spraying.

Formation of Mongolian oak

In the first five years of tree growth, it is very important to form its trunk. It is during this period that the development of the central conductor begins, and in order for nutrients to reach its maximum, it is necessary to prune the competing shoots.

The main task of the gardener is the formation of the thickness of the future mighty trunk, for which in mid-May the plucking shoots thickening. They develop along the entire length of the stem until it reaches the required thickness, after which they are cut out.

Removal of shoots of thickening is carried out in sequence: first from the bottom of the trunk, which first acquires the necessary dimensions, for the second year from the middle, and for the third - all the remaining ones.

The crowning also requires attention. As a rule, in Mongolian oak nurseries they grow up to 20 years, after which a beautiful tree of 8-meter height with a developed thick crown is transplanted to its permanent "residence".

Oak trimming

A feature of oaks is the presence of the main stem, which continues to grow throughout their life. As a rule, Mongolian oak forms one, rarely two or more trunks. In order that both the crown and the stem grow powerful, once in 2-3 years pruning of lateral branches is carried out.

When the apical bud is removed, the growth of the oak is slowed down, which allows it to create a strong base and significantly develop and deepen the root system. If each time to remove a part of the gain, it is possible to form an openwork crown, which will let in the sun's rays, so important for the underground part of the tree.

The best time for pruning is early spring, but on condition that the air temperature is not lower than +5 degrees.

Adult oak is cut by dry or damaged branches, giving space for the formation of new lateral processes.

Useful properties of Mongolian oak

No wonder the sacred Mongolian oak became for many people. The use of his bark for medical purposes was practiced by healers and shamans in ancient times. Astringent and antibacterial properties of the oak bark used to heal ulcers and wounds, to stop internal bleeding and treat gastric diseases. No less useful are these properties for removing toxins from fungal poisoning and inflammation in the oral cavity, for example, in periodontal disease.

Acorn decoction of women has long been used for syringing with inflammation of female reproductive organs. The bark of Mongolian oak, crushed to powder state, can be brewed like coffee, and the leaves of the tree were used for pickling vegetables. Not without reason the most valuable for the storage of wine and salting were considered oak barrels.

Healing Decoction

The most popular means for the treatment of inflammatory processes and bleeding is the decoction of the oak bark. To do this, 10 g of crushed raw material is poured a glass of steep boiling water, insist 2-3 hours, and then drink three meals a day.