Siberian spruce: description, area of growth, application in folk medicine

Siberian spruce is a widespread plant. It differs from its relatives with lush needles, impressive sizes (up to 30 meters and more), as well as the shape and size of cones. Since ancient times, miraculous properties have been attributed to this tree in Russia. The forest beauty was loved and revered not only in Western Siberia - the main area of its growth, but also far beyond its borders.

Appearance of the plant

A tall tree that occupies a decent space (up to one and a half meters or more) is distinguished by a lush crown with a pointed tetrahedral needles about 2-2.5 cm in length, due to its unpretentiousness and endurance, it perfectly coexists with more powerful congeners. Photo of Siberian spruce, presented below, is unlikely to be able to convey all the beauty and grandeur of the plant. Young trees, forced to fight for a place under the sun, perfectly tolerate the shadow, but are quite sensitive to the composition of the soil. Siberian spruce does not like sands or swamps, but it is very resistant to low temperatures. This allows her to feel great in the middle and southern taiga. The bark of young trees is smooth, with a brown tinge, with age it receives a certain roughness and a little lightens.

The trunk of a healthy spruce tree is even, with sparse branches. The tree grows rather slowly, and young shoots are sensitive to spring frosts. Unlike most of the relatives, the Siberian beauty is characterized by a rather colorful flowering. Bumps appear in the middle or toward the end of spring. Female, usually bright red, clearly visible through the needles at the top of the tree. Men, no less noticeable, contain a large amount of pollen. The wind carries it for long distances, as a result it settles down literally everywhere. By September, female cones have reached a maximum size (up to 8 cm), seeds are ripening in them, which are a food for many Siberian birds and some mammals.

Places and conditions of growth

In Europe, Siberian spruce, along with the common one, occupies the northern and northeastern lands. Due to high frost resistance and less exacting to the soil and moisture level, it is common in Western Siberia and the Far East, with the exception of polar latitudes. The area of Siberian spruce takes thousands of kilometers, starting from the border with the forest-tundra and ending in the lower reaches of the Kama in the south. The tree lives up to 300 (less often - 500) years, perfectly transferring both hilly and flat terrain.

Types of Siberian spruce

Depending on the conditions of growth and other natural factors, the tree has a number of morphobiological forms. Outwardly, they basically differ in the coloration of the needles. It can be green, silvery, golden or bluish-gray. The last of the listed varieties is considered the rarest. Spruce Siberian blue is listed in the Red Book. Its industrial cutting down in recent years is prohibited. Due to the unique shade of needles, it is often used as an ornamental plant.

Reproduction and artificial cultivation

In a natural environment ripe seeds dropped from cones are carried by the wind, birds and mammals. Under favorable circumstances, they can sprout and eventually turn into young trees. After several decades they will adopt the traditional form for spruce, and impressive sizes will be reached only towards the end of their first century.

In artificial conditions, it is sometimes practiced by reproduction with stubby cuttings. Germination of seeds in spruce is quite good - up to 70%, but because of rather slow growth this method is not used very often. For the first year after planting, the tree hardly reaches 10 centimeters in height. And ready to move to a permanent place, it will be 5-7 years later. In addition, young spruce is very susceptible to various diseases. So the efficiency of growing from seeds is quite low.

Industrial use

Spruce Siberian, along with ordinary, belongs to valuable wood species. It is widely used for the production of furniture, musical instruments, in construction, as well as in the pulp and paper industry. In addition to wood, needles also have a certain value. It is a source of medicinal essential oils, used in medicine, in the manufacture of cosmetics, tannins and feed additives for animals.

All species of spruce, including Siberian spruce, are valued in the park economy. Coniferous plants perfectly clean the air, making it useful for respiratory organs. Walks in the spruce park are recommended for people with respiratory diseases.

Use in medicine

Due to the high content of phytoncides in the needles, spruce is one of the most powerful antiseptics. And it is able to sterilize even the surrounding air, securing useful substances in a natural way.

In medicine, it is used to treat respiratory diseases, including asthma. Patients are recommended inhalation with a decoction of young cones, pine needles or even walks through the spruce grove. The resin of the plant is taken inwards for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Sometimes it is recommended for bronchitis.

In folk medicine, Siberian spruce is also known for its curative properties. Description of the recipes of its application is very extensive. In the course goes everything - from resin and cones to bark and needles.

Decoction of young branches is used for arthritis and rheumatism. Essential oil of spruce is a powerful antifungal agent. And immature cones, brewed on water or milk - a source of vitamin C. Spruce is also known for its bioenergetics. Walks in the coniferous forest are shown to people after stress, severe illness, overstrain or simply to improve their mood.

Siberian spruce is not just a beautiful and majestic tree, spread over most of the Russian Federation. For the industry - this is the source of wood, for medicine - antiseptic and high-quality essential oil. And for an ordinary person - aromatherapy, stress management and a good mood.