The common spruce is not only an integral part of the New Year, but also an excellent “human shield”. It can be used for fencing cottages and summer cottages.
A hedge made of Norway spruce will reliably protect your site not only from prying eyes, but also from strong gusts of wind.
And the produced phytoncides are enough to kill airborne harmful microorganisms within a radius of several kilometers.
But the growth of Norway spruce in a summer cottage will need to be regularly monitored - pruning, forming a crown, otherwise the trees will quickly grow and “crush” deciduous plants.
image of Eli
Since childhood, at Christmas and New Year, people have become accustomed to smelling fir branches.
Mixing with the smell of tangerines, this fragrant pine aroma was a harbinger of a miracle, gifts, new experiences and the New Year. For many centuries, Spruce has personified the symbol of a new cycle. In ancient times, remaining evergreen, Spruce was an allegory of eternal youth and immortality, longevity and fidelity.
For the same reasons, the Spruce “spruce branches” were and remain in many villages a sign of a bygone life. During the funeral procession, “spruce branches” are thrown at the feet, saying goodbye to the departed. Their age has ended, but has passed into eternity.
In Scandinavia, spruce was used for ritual bonfires. The resinous firewood gave the fire unique strength.
Traditional medicine recipes
Respiratory diseases
Chop fresh young shoots of common spruce. Place the raw materials in layers in a three-liter glass jar, sprinkling each layer with sugar. In total you will need one and a half kilograms of sugar.
Cover the container with gauze folded in several layers and tie it with twine. Infuse on a windowsill in the sun for 10 days, remembering to stir periodically. Strain, squeeze out the raw materials.
Take 2 tbsp. in the morning.
Used for asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis.
Ointment
Combine equal amounts of common spruce resin, bee honey, wax, and vegetable oil (preferably olive oil). The mixture is heated, stirring, over low heat until smooth. Cool.
The ointment is applied to the damaged surface in the morning and kept until the evening; lotions are made at night, using a decoction, if any.
Where does Spruce grow?
Spruce forests are found throughout Russia. These are mostly dense, dense thickets with some undergrowth.
Despite the fact that Spruce develops best in an open area, its shade-tolerant counterparts are found.
The most common type of tree is “Normal Spruce”. It is found in the European part of Russia, Finland and northern Europe. Spruce groves are found in both Siberia and the Urals.
Brothers of the Norway Spruce can be found in the Caucasus and the Far East, on the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. Even in North America and China, certain species of this thorny, fragrant tree grow.
Dosage forms
Decoction of pine needles
20-25 gr. pour 250 ml of crushed raw materials. water. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat, cover with a lid, insulate and leave for 2-3 hours. Strain, squeeze out the raw materials. Using boiled water, bring the resulting broth to its original volume.
Take 0.25-0.5 tbsp. 3 times a day after meals. You can add a slice of lemon for taste.
Decoction of cones (externally)
Prepare a decoction (see recipe above) at the rate of 40 g. crushed raw materials per 200 ml. water. Boil for half an hour, leave for 15 minutes. Strain through three layers of gauze.
Store in a cool, dark place for no more than three days.
What does El look like?
Spruce is a tall, stately tree with a straight, strong trunk and a dense crown. The branches are arranged in a pyramid and have spiny needles. The bark of Spruce is dense and covered with scales.
The height of Spruce can reach 30 meters, while the trunk volume of many species exceeds 1.5 meters
The average lifespan of a tree is 250 – 300 years. There are centenarians up to 600 years old.
After 10–15 years of life, the tree changes its root system, getting rid of the main root. That is why in the forest you can find these wind-fallen giants with their roots turned upside down.
Differences in appearance
Place of growth and cultivation characteristics are not the only differences between spruce and pine. The trees differ from each other in appearance, although at first glance they seem to be identical.
The easiest time to distinguish pine from spruce is in winter. The fact is that only spruce has the right to be considered an evergreen conifer. She sheds old needles every 7-12 years. You can notice this process by the coniferous “carpet” spreading around the trunk. The color of pine, unlike spruce, becomes pale in cold weather. In autumn and winter, the needles wither, changing color from green to yellowish.
Another external difference between spruce and pine are cones. Female fruits are practically invisible. As for spruce, its female cones are not only bright red in color, but also large in size.
Tree size and height
One of the main distinguishing characteristics of plants is their size and height.
Scots pine grows in height up to 35-40 m. Some specimens can reach 50-75 m. The tree trunk is straight and branched. The trunk diameter reaches 0.6-1.2 m. The bark has a brown tint, closer to the top it becomes light brown. The crown is thick and cone-shaped. It starts approximately in the middle of the trunk, below is only the bare trunk.
In the first year, pine grows by 5 cm. From the 3rd year, the annual growth increases to 15 cm. From the age of 5, seedlings begin to grow 50 cm per year, and from the age of 10 - 1 meter per year. Growth slows down with the appearance of the first fruits.
Norway spruce, compared to pine, grows in height up to 50 m. The average value is 30 m. Up to 25 years, the tree grows slowly, approximately 40-60 cm per year. Over time, growth accelerates to 1-1.2 m per year. The trunk of the Christmas tree is 1 m in diameter. The crown is cone-shaped, and remains so until the end of its life.
Unlike its “relative,” spruce has many varieties, among which there are both miniature trees and giant specimens. Low spruce trees grow a maximum of 15 m, and giant spruce trees grow 50 meters or more. Spruce needles begin to grow directly above the ground, and not in the middle of the trunk, as happens with pine.
Cone size and shape
To distinguish pine from spruce, you need to look at the size and shape of the cones. Both plants have male and female cones. Structure and appearance are the main differences between female and male fruits.
Pine cones come in different varieties. Their shape and size depend on the variety. The fruits of Scots pine are located singly or in groups. Men's - have a cylindrical shape. Women's, on the contrary, are slightly flattened. They grow 8 cm in length.
At the beginning of their development, the cones acquire a black or purple hue. Over time, they turn brown or reddish. Red shoots are female cones consisting of a rod with scales.
Male fruits are located with female ones on the same branches. Most often they have a yellow tint. Compared to the background of male shoots, female shoots are small and inconspicuous.
Fir cones are long and oval in shape. Their length is about 15-17 cm. They grow upward like candles. Female specimens are much larger than male ones. They stand out with their bright red color. The cones are located at the tips of the branches in the upper part of the crown. Male fruits, on the contrary, are too small and inconspicuous.
Needle shape
In addition to the shape of the cones and the height of the trunk, pine differs from spruce in the shape of its needles. The main difference is the period of needle change.
Spruce needles have a dark green color. It is needle-shaped in shape, up to 2 cm long. The needles are located on the branches in a spiral pattern. The leaf blades, forming a whorl, are attached to the branches one by one. When attacked by pests, the needles turn yellow.
There is an opinion that evergreen trees keep their needles unchanged throughout the year. However, it is not. Spruce needles fall off slowly and gradually, new needles appear every 7-12 years.
Pine needles, in turn, have a bluish-green color and a slightly curved shape. The needles, smooth to the touch, taper towards the end. Their length varies and ranges from 4 to 6 cm. The arrangement on the branches is in pairs. Pine, unlike its “relative,” sheds its needles in the fall. Accordingly, the needles are completely renewed within a couple of years.
As for the color of the needles, spruce needles always retain their dark green hue, regardless of the time of year. Pine needles are a little lighter, but they tend to turn yellow when autumn comes.
Medicinal properties of Spruce
Fir cones, pine needles and resin are used for medicinal purposes.
The needles contain bactericidal substances, amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamins and phytoncides. Spruce needles are rich in vitamin C, the concentration of which increases in winter, therefore, since ancient times, pine “tea” has been an excellent remedy for scurvy and at the same time strengthened the entire body.
Daily consumption of 3–4 spruce needles for a month can restore immunity and increase resistance to a number of viral diseases.
Several spruce branches placed in a vase in a room can kill harmful bacteria in the room, leaving a pleasant aroma in the air.
Fir cones are rich in tannins and essential oils. They also contain copper, manganese, aluminum, and iron.
Essential oils are used in the fight against acute respiratory infections and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Syrup from the buds of Spruce is prescribed for microinfarctions.
A decoction of pine needles is used by inhalation to treat sore throat and sinusitis.
Spruce resin or resin has antiseptic properties and can be used in ointments to heal wounds and ulcers.
Growing at home
Many people are currently growing these coniferous trees on their plots or in parks. To obtain the desired result, it is recommended to plant seedlings that are at least three years old. You can buy these in a specialty store or nursery.
In the place where the spruce will grow, groundwater should not lie high, and the soil must be neutral or slightly acidic. For some time after planting, you will have to protect the seedling from strong sunlight.
Caring for the Christmas tree is not difficult: weekly watering, regular loosening of the surface soil and timely removal of weeds are enough.
Applications of Spruce
Spruce wood is the most common material for construction and fuel. The wood is also used to make paper.
Spruce wood is very soft and straight-grained. Despite its widespread use in construction, untreated wood is short-lived and quickly rots. That is why spruce wood is treated with antiseptics and mordants.
At the same time, Spruce wood is included in many modern materials, such as fiberboard, chipboard, laminated veneer lumber and others.
The musical properties of spruce wood have been noticed for a long time, so soundboards, bodies and other parts of musical instruments are made from this fragrant wood.
Reproduction
This plant is a gymnosperm, so reproduction occurs with the help of heterosexual cones. At the end of spring, male cones ripen, and their pollen is carried away by the wind to fertilize female cones, which are located at the ends of spruce branches.
After the seeds ripen, the cone falls to the ground, after which it is carried away by the wind to another place. Christmas trees are able to reproduce after the fifteenth year of life.
Diseases and pests
Spruce trees, like other plants, can be susceptible to harmful insects and diseases. Trees that are weakened due to insufficient or improper care most often suffer.
| Problem | Description | Control measures |
| Rust | Cylindrical vesicles containing spores appear on the needles. Early shedding of needles occurs. Young plants are most often affected. | Spraying with fungicides, timely removal of weeds. |
| Schutte | The disease occurs in the spring. The needles on the shoots first change color and then die. Its fall occurs at the beginning of the next season. A fungus forms on the needles. | Elimination of infected shoots, treatment with fungicides. |
| Spider mites | The parasite becomes active during drought. Dots appear on the plant. Another characteristic feature is the cobweb. | Preventive spraying with acaricides. These include Floromite, Flumite, Apollo, Borneo. Insectoacaricides (Akarin, Agravertin, Actellik, Oberon) are used for treatment. |
| Bark beetles | The pest damages the bark, as evidenced by the large number of passages. | Treatment with the following drugs: Crona-Antip, Clipper, Bifenthrin. |
| False scale insects | The parasite is protected by a brown shell. The tips of the stems become bent and gradually die off. The needles acquire a brown tint. | Compliance with agricultural practices is the best prevention. To enhance the effect, plants are treated with insecticides. |
| Needle-eating leafrollers | Brownish-yellow caterpillars make rusty accumulations on shoots. | Using a solution prepared with green soap. |
| Sawflies | Insects settle on young trees. Their growth slows down, the stems lose their needles. | Digging up the soil, destroying nests. The larvae are treated with insecticides, which include Fury, BI-58, Decis. |
| Root sponge | The root system rots. Brown or brown formations appear in the root collar area. | Removing all affected areas, using fungicides. |
Contraindications
In order for the treatment to be beneficial, it is necessary to take into account not only the medicinal and beneficial properties, but also the contraindications that Norway spruce has. Although plant preparations are used to treat kidney diseases, they are contraindicated for nephritis and nephrosis.
A side effect of internal intake of spruce needle decoction may be inflammation of the digestive tract.
Sources:
I.L. Sanina. Herbalist. Complete reference book of medicinal plants.
Ilyina T.A. Medicinal plants of Russia.
Rim Akhmedov. Plants are your friends and foes.
I.N. Putyrsky, V. Prokhorov. Universal encyclopedia of medicinal plants.
N. Maznev. Encyclopedia of medicinal plants.
V.V. Reshetnyak. Herbalist.
Advice from the traditional healer Evdokia. Herbalist, illustrated reference book.
