Oak is by far the most common trees found in the works, and the different peoples. The magic flute of Mozart was carved from oak, in “Songs about Hiawatha” there is oak, bringing youth and health,
All this means that the oak tree is significant, majestic and worthy of respect.
Botanical reference
Oak (Quercus) — a genus of trees belonging to the Fagaceae family. In the genus there are more than 600 species, but more or less common about 20.
The most noticeable difference of this tree from others is its original fruit — acorns. However, they significantly differ by their shape, size and color depending on variety.
Interestingly, oaks grow only in the Northern hemisphere: in Africa and South America South of the equator, as well as in Australia there is no oak.
Quercus robur
Large majestic trees form vast oak forests.
The height of this tree can reach 40 m and age representative, is considered the oldest (Stelmuze oak in Lithuania), is about 2000 years. But the average oak tree lives 300 to 400 years and reaches a height of 20-30 m.
The shape of the leaves, the color and texture of the bark, fruits and the outer outline of the tree are very specific, so it is quite difficult to confuse it with some other. Even small children in kindergarten are easy to remember, looks like oak leaf. And acorns open a real space for creativity: are there those who have never made crafts from these nuts — for themselves or their children?
Very touching look blooming in the spring of young oak leaves. They are in no hurry, at the very beginning of its growth are of a delicate pink hue tiny Cams. However, in the summer represent the hard leathery leaves, lasting and very fragrant, especially in hot weather and after rain.
Quercus mongolica
The name of this tree was given by mistake, that botany is not so rare. For the first time this species was described in Mongolia, but at present there does not occur. Its distribution area is the northeast of China, Korea, Japan.
The tree lives an average of 350 years, can grow to 30 m, but in mountainous terrain is not above 10, sometimes forming a Bush. In the far East, it forms forests, where it is the most common of broad-leaved plants. The fruits of Quercus mongolica are almost two times smaller than those of Quercus robur, and have a more rounded shape.
This oak is interesting because it can grow almost on the rocks, forming after a while under a soil. Therefore, it can be used as a mining fortifications, as well as to stop the formation of gullies.
Quercus petraea
This species resembles Quercus robur. They have a similar structure of leaves, acorns, similar bark and crown shape. However, due to the different structure of the root system Quercus petraea has some advantages. If Quercus robur has one pronounced a powerful taproot, Quercus petraea several of them. This increases the adaptive properties of the tree, and it survives and develops on a variety of soils.
The tree is a charismatic, Regal look. Grows up to 30 m in height.
Breeders have worked with the basic plants and brought interesting decorative forms that are used in garden and Park design. There are weeping varieties, forms with Golden and variegated color of leaves, as well as their unusual shape. It should be noted that decorative species do not grow to such gigantic sizes, but much lower.
Growing oak
Oak has a strong appeal. People with large enough sites to accommodate the giant, sooner or later put it. Those who have less land, often choose decorative forms. Become the owner of oak in different ways: buy a seedling in the nursery, to root the cuttings from a young tree or plant an acorn.
Planting the acorn
The most simple, but a long way to the majestic beauty — sowing acorn. For this purpose, it is best to take fresh nuts collected in September-October from a healthy tree. Use old acorns almost does not make sense, as to organize the proper storage is difficult, and the dried seed becomes dissimilar.
On time collected fresh nuts germinate almost 100% of the time. To do this, you need to sow them in the autumn before the snow falls.
Another option is to look for live acorns in the spring, immediately after the snow cover. Lucky can not every year: fallen nuts actively dismantled mouse winter can happen very frosty and destroy all the rudiments. Nevertheless, it is worth trying to find acorns germinating in early spring and immediately sow them.
Soil is desirable close to the one with which you collect acorns. It is good to take a certain amount of land from the oak and sow nuts in it. If the planting material is questionable (for example, in the spring), then sow thicker, leaving 2-3 cm between the acorns. When fresh nuts, you need to sow them at a distance of 10-15 cm
When spring sowing acorns bury 2-3 cm in the autumn — on 6-8 see it is Not necessary to wait for shoots too soon, the oak tree can grow for more than a month. The plant first forms a fairly powerful root, and only then there are “tops”.
Planting a seedling
To slightly reduce the period of growing a large tree, you can buy a seedling in nurseries. They offer both basic types and original varieties or decorative forms.
From the nursery it is best to take the oak 1-2 years of age, these trees take root as well. If the seedling is grown in a container, the chances of successful cultivation increase many times, besides transportation is simplified. In the case of buying a plant with an open root system, it is necessary to transport it, wrapping the roots with wet canvas matter.
When choosing a place for oak, it is necessary to remind yourself that a potential giant is planted. The distance to neighboring trees must be at least 3 m, 6 better. From the nearest building oak must be placed at a distance of 3.5-4 m, as the powerful roots, growing, easily break the blind area and even the Foundation. By the way, this should be taken into account when growing oak from acorn.
The best time for planting is spring, when the soil has warmed up enough. Hole should be size of 1 m², a depth of 80 cm At the bottom doing the drainage, and then prepare nutrient mixture, having approximately the following ratio of ingredients: 2 buckets of compost, 1 kg of ash, 1.5 kg of double superphosphate and excavated earth. It is also good to add 100 g of potash fertilizer.
The seedling is placed in the planting pit so that its root neck 1-2 cm above the soil surface. Filled with soil mix, periodically compacting it, and then carefully poured using 10-15 l of water. At the end of the barrel circle mulch compost, humus or mowed grass.
Maintenance
Young plant, whether it is grown from acorns or purchased in the nursery, the first 2-3 years in dire need of attention. He needs weeding, regular watering, loosening. Starting from the second year, it is good to fertilize the tree with complex mineral fertilizers.
In preparation for the winter small oak trees need some shelter. While they are quite small, you can make crates from the perches and wrap them with covering material, and the roots are insulated, pouring peat or dry foliage to them.
Diseases and pests
Oak often suffers from powdery mildew when its leaves are covered with a white coating. Often the plant copes on its own, but if it is still young and more than half of the leaves are covered with a white coating, then help is required. Spraying with systemic fungicides works well, and preventive preventive treatment is desirable.
Other oak diseases are less common, but you need to know them. These are vascular diseases, necrosis, various tumors and ulcers, which are caused mainly by fungi. There are also rotten diseases, covering branches, bark, trunk and roots. Also, oak is often affected by mushrooms-tinder.
Pests, affecting oak, nest number of. Unfortunately, the leaves spoil different moth, moth, sawflies, leafrollers and other. The wood of the trunk and branches affects individual multitude of pests.
It should be noted that there are primary pests, that is, falling on healthy oaks, and secondary, which affect, as a rule, already weakened trees. Primary destroy the leaves and fruit, the secondary is wound in the bark and wood.
Treatment with insecticidal drugs helps to cope with pests.
An oak tree is unhurried and thorough. Planting an acorn now, you need to keep in mind that your children will enjoy the dense shade from the leaves of the spreading tree, and collect acorns under it for crafts — already grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But remember your good and necessary work will be for a long time.
Leave a Reply