Wicha fir is an evergreen tree that has its own characteristics both in reproduction and cultivation. Currently, breeders have bred many subspecies of this crop. Such a tree propagates easily, and most often this happens naturally. Its habitat is limited, as not all environmental conditions may suit them.
Description
It is known that Vicha fir, the photo of which is given in the article, belongs to the Pine family, the genus Fir. This monoecious tree grows on the Japanese islands. And there it is called "sirabiso".
Witch's fir received its European name from John Gould Veitch, a well-known British botanist and gardener. But the first mention of this species was in 1861, when John Lindley described it in his book.
Vicha Fir is a tree that reaches a height of 25 meters. But there are specimens that grow up to 35 meters. The tree is slender and has a conical crown, which branches slightly towards the base. The diameter of the trunk is usually 30-50 centimeters. bark is smooth,grey. If a young fir, then it may be with a green tint.
Its branches are short and horizontal on the tree. The tips are usually reddish-brown in color and also have ring-shaped folds. Vicha fir, the description of which is necessary to identify the species, has small brown buds. They are usually oval in shape and very resinous.
Wicha fir needles are small, no more than 2.5 centimeters in length. They are slightly comb-shaped and always either directed upwards or forwards. Needle ends can be split and truncated. They are dark green in color and have two white stomata. Veychi's needles are distinguished by their striated shape, as well as the fact that they are glossy. Resin passages are located towards the center, but sometimes it also happens to the edge. Vicha fir blooms more often in May.
Cones culture is always dense and heavy, have a cylindrical shape. Initially, their color is bluish-violet, and then it gradually turns brown. The size of the cones varies from 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters. Their width is usually 3 cm.
Wicha Pendula fir seeds usually ripen in autumn, but no later than October. They are no longer than seven millimeters, have a yellow color with a dark tint. On one tree, there are usually no more than five cotyledons. It has been proven that a thousand seeds weigh no more than forty grams.
Growth and distribution conditions
It is known that Pendula Vicha fir grows on two Japanese islands: Honshu and Shikoku. The area of its growth in naturalconditions is limited. But now Veicha is the dominant culture in the central part of Japan, where there is a large amount of subalpine forests.
Usually this fir forms small forests. Other trees and shrubs can be found in them, for example, Ayan spruce, heterogeneous hemlock, Chonosky maple, mountain ash, Erman birch. Trees adjacent to Vicha fir can reach a height of 24 meters.
Be sure to live in fir forests and animals. The most frequent inhabitants are Japanese dormouse, chamois and flying squirrel. Of the birds in such forests, you can most often meet the Japanese robin.
Vitch Fir in culture
Witchie is known to be an ornamental fir species that is famous for its beautiful crown shape. Currently, some subspecies can be found in the denrological garden of the Timiryazev Academy of Agriculture in Moscow.
It is also known that one of the best specimens of the culture grows in the Lipetsk region, which is distinguished by several characteristics. So, this Lipetsk fir Vicha (Pendula) has increased frost resistance. And besides, the culture is drought-resistant. This fir is also different in growth rate. So, at the age of twenty-three, she had already reached eight meters, and the diameter of her trunk was about thirteen centimeters.
Vicha grows in acidic and dry soil that is in direct sunlight. Shaded places do not affect its growth in any way, therefore, where there is no sun, young fir shoots grow well. If the snow cover is reliable, then Veycha will be quite frost-resistant. It has a moderate attitude to moisture: it does not like drought, but stagnant water will not do her good.
Fir grows on clay soils, preferring the northern slopes, where the air is clean. It does not tolerate its pollution well, therefore it practically does not take root in cities. Vicha is short-lived, but it grows quickly. It is known that after planting in open ground, such a tree can rise seventy-five centimeters in two years. For the first two decades, Vicha can grow by one meter each year, but then its growth gradually slows down or stops altogether.
You need to transplant such a fir at a young age, as a mature tree does not survive transplanting well. It is desirable that the height of the culture be no more than 90 centimeters. Wicha can easily interbreed with different firs, but only from a kind.
Reproduction occurs by seeds. Sowing is carried out in February in closed ground, and in March it can be transplanted from planting pots into open ground. But such an event can be carried out when the risk of night frosts disappears.
Development of Wicha fir
Veicha starts blooming quite early. As soon as the tree reaches a height of six meters, female strobiles appear on it. It is known that under natural conditions, seeds that fall on the ground germinate in small quantities.
Use of Wicha fir
The wood of this type of fir is elastic, so itoften used not only in construction, but also in the manufacture of a variety of dishes and containers. It also features increased durability. In places where fir grows in large quantities, it is also used in the paper industry. It is known that fir wood sounds very good, so it is still often used to make musical instruments. There are countries where Wicha fir is used as a Christmas tree.
Decorative properties
Wicha fir is a decorative species that is distinguished by its excellent shape and amazing crown color. The slenderness of this tree has long been appreciated, so since 1865 it has been successfully grown.
Cultivars
Currently, more than ten cultivars of Vicha fir have been bred. First of all, it is Golden, which is a tree with a conical shape. Its distinctive feature is the golden yellow color of the needles, for which it received its name. There are types of Veitch fir, in which the needles are painted either in a silver-blue hue, or just in a silver color.
There are also dwarf varieties that not only grow slowly, but can also have a variety of shapes: cushion or weeping. Such varieties are valued by gardeners and often used in landscape design.
