Age of common birch. How many years do oak and birch trees live

Poplar is a fast-growing tree for the first 40 years. After this period, plant growth slows down, the tree begins to age. The maximum possible life expectancy of poplar is 120-150 years, but it is rare that any specimen will survive the period allotted for the species without problems. On average, trees of the genus "poplar" grow 60-80 years.

The willow family, which includes all varieties of poplars, prefers well-drained moist soils, does not tolerate waterlogging. Due to the special structure of the root system, it prefers places with high groundwater levels.

An adult tree grows up to 50 m in height and up to 1 meter in the girth of the trunk. The crown of the plant is egg-shaped, well amenable to pruning and molding. The color of the bark of the trunk is gray, with a cracking surface. There are no cracks on the bark of the branches.

It is often important to cut poplar on time or prune it. And that's why.

Tree weaknesses

Fibrous root system

For a huge powerful tree, the poplar root is relatively weak. It is spread over the surface of the earth far beyond the projection of the crown, which entails the destruction of nearby walls or other structures. Within the city, there are frequent cases of windfall of perennial poplars with damage to transport, buildings, and residents.

Softwood

The rapid growth of poplars entails the formation of loose light wood, subject to mechanical stress. Often strong branches and even tree trunks break, forcing city services or the people themselves to eliminate the consequences of unforeseen damage to the crown.

Inability to resist disease

The short life span of the tree becomes even less due to the predisposition of the genus to damage to various types of diseases. The main ones are: cytosporic necrosis, dotychic necrosis and wet ulcerative cancer. Weakened trees, adult specimens or young growth, lose the decorativeness of the crown and die immediately or after several years.

Where did poplar wood find application?

The ease of processing poplar trunks has led to the widespread use of wood in the construction, furniture, paper, plywood and many other industries. The strength and density of sawn timber made it possible to make railway sleepers from poplar wood and produce charcoal. Firewood from poplar is of low quality, since it emits a small amount of heat during combustion.

  (Document)

n1.doc

The majestic size and durability are characteristic not only of tropical and subtropical trees. In our country, huge yews are growing, reaching the age of 1000-1500 years, junipers-2000, Caucasian fir - 800-900, cedar pine - 1000, ordinary spruce - 500 years. Of the deciduous trees, oaks-600-1000, walnuts-200-300, plane trees-800-1000, edible chestnuts - 800-900, linden-800, elm-500-600 years are famous for their largest size and durability (Fig. 56, 57).
Fig. 56. An ancient specimen of oak.
Fig. 57. Old linden in the park of Nesvizh.

Significant durability is possessed not only by large trees, but also by relatively low shrubs. So, some rosehip bushes live up to 400 years, ordinary hazel-up to 100-150. There is a registered specimen of ordinary lilac that has reached 150 years of age. Buckthorn laxative and black elderberry survive to 100 years. Relatively long longevity is possessed by evergreen and deciduous, squat and dwarf shrubs. B.M. Kozo-Polyansky reports that the wolf of Julia ( Daphne julia   TO.   Pol .) reaches 200 years of age. A.V. Kozhevnikov writes that blueberries, lingonberries and blueberries survive to 300 years.

Curly shrubs or creepers are also durable. Decondol Sr. notes that in 1804 near Montpellier (France) he found ivy, whose trunk at the root neck had a girth of 170 cm.   Investigating the growth of this bush for 45 years, Dekondol concluded that the age of this plant is 485 years. Curling roses and grapevines reach a hundred years old .

The life span inherent in individual specimens largely determines the service life of tree species and is essential in selecting them for certain green devices.
Life expectancy and tree sizes in green devices
  The life expectancy of trees that make up the tree groups and massifs in green devices must be strictly agreed among themselves .

So, some woody plants live 20-30 years, others - 50-80 200-300 years or more (oak and elm). If, when creating arrays and groups, the longevity of trees is not taken into account, this will lead to the destruction of the general structure and composition of the stands when the less durable ones die.

If you do not take into account the sizes to which a tree can grow over the long years of its life, this will result in tree groups and individual trees being placed extremely closely, crowns will close glades, and the park will turn into a forest thicket (Table 22).
  Tab. 22. Life expectancy and size of trees.

According to their lifespan, trees can be divided into three groups: small, medium and long life. Short-lived trees begin to senile in the second half of the first century. This includes many poplars, birch, bird cherry, apple, rowan. Trees of medium durability begin to senile from the second century. Most of our forest-forming species, such as spruce, fir, maple, can be attributed to them. Trees of great longevity begin to decay only from the third century. This is oak, ash, walnut, elm, larch.

The decorative appearance of woody plants is largely dependent on age-related changes. At a young age, oak has insignificant decorative advantages, on average it is still not very expressive and only in old age acquires a powerful and stately appearance. Spruce, on the contrary, is very decorative in youth, and often becomes ugly in old age.

From a decorative point of view, the entire life cycle of trees for practical purposes is conveniently divided into four main periods:

The period of education - from seed germination to reaching sizes suitable for planting in ordinary ones; green building conditions, this period of the plant) usually takes place in nurseries;

The formation period begins from the moment of planting in the green device and continues until the plant acquires the appearance most typical of this species. During the formation period, most tree species have little artistic expressiveness, their size is not large, the trunk is thin, the crown is rare, slightly leafy;

The period of full development begins from the moment of reaching the full form and lasts until the onset of aging;

The senile period - when the trees begin to senile. During this period, some of them acquire especially majestic forms, while others, on the contrary, become ugly.

Most trees of fast growing species with low durability are ugly by age. Such are poplar, bird cherry, mountain ash. Trees with great longevity are, for the most part, the most decorative and sometimes so original trees that they are left in the park even after they have dried up (especially since they can serve as a nesting place for useful birds for a long time): These are oak, linden, ash, cedar, larch.

Wood species at different stages of their development impose different requirements on soil fertility. A tree needs a particularly large amount of nutrients during the period of its intensive growth, at 10–40 years, when the bulk of branches and leaves are formed. Lack of nutrients during this period causes stunting, the appearance of dryness and the death of a tree.

Every year in the gardens and parks spend autumn and spring cleaning, collect leaves, small fallen branches. Each ton of such “garbage” contains 23 kg   nitrogen 4 kg   phosphorus and 10 kg   potassium. Removing these substances from parkland is essentially a theft of soil fertility. Semi-rotten leaves, grass, branches, valuable for restoration of fertility, should be composted and, in a rotted state, together with mineral fertilizers, should be re-introduced into the soil.

In many parks, premature death of trees causes soil compaction. From soil compaction and trampling, tree species with a surface root system are particularly affected:

Spruce, birch, ash.

Establishment of a strict regime in the park, regulation of the number of visitors, and strict prohibition of movement outside the road-path network can significantly improve the condition of plantings and prevent their premature death.

A major role in protecting the root system of tree species from trampling is played by shrubby undergrowth. The dense undergrowth in tree plantings mechanically protects the roots of trees from trampling and creates favorable conditions for their development. At the same time, dense thickets and groups of shrubs serve as the best place for nesting birds.

The longevity of tree stands largely depends on their species composition and structure. Long-term and stable stands can only be those in which a combination of rocks within the stands will contribute to their growth, development and reduce competition with other plant species.
Life expectancy and size of shrubs in green devices
The longevity of shrubs increases significantly due to their ability to retain overgrowth ability until old age. In decrepit shrubs by strong pruning (planting on a stump), again powerful young shoots can be called up, which later on will not differ much from flowering and fruiting from young seed or vegetatively propagated bushes. Thirty-thirty-five-year-old bushes of lilac and jasmine, after such a rejuvenation, bloom once again beautifully for the same number of years. Due to this property, the service life of shrubs in gardens and parks can be significantly extended.

Many shrubs have the ability to produce abundant root offspring (sorbaria, fragrant raspberry., Some meadowsweet) or by rooting low-lying side branches to give layering (Cossack juniper, Chinese juniper, forsythia), due to which they constantly grow in area and constantly self-renew. In practice, the life of such shrubs can stop only due to the final depletion of the soil. The centuries-old thickets of lilacs, meadowsweet, raspberries, sorbaria can be observed near the places of former settlements, ancient, abandoned estates. In the Trostyanets arboretum in Ukraine, some overgrown yellows and meadowsweet are over 100 years old.

Although shrubs are inferior to tree species in terms of service life, however, with appropriate care and agricultural technology, they can form stable decorative stands for a long period, sometimes up to 100 years or more (Table 23).
  Tab. 23. Life expectancy and size of shrubs.

The longevity of ornamental shrubs is their great advantage over herbaceous ornamental plants.
CHAPTER II. FLOWERING OF TREES AND SHEARS
To achieve one or another development phase, including the flowering phase, the plant needs a certain, depending on the ecotype (form, variety), set of environmental conditions, primarily heat. This dependence is the reason that in the European part of the USSR, the timing of flowering plants, as a rule, moves in the direction of increasing heat (the so-called "positive temperatures"). In early spring, the flowering period has a direction from southwest to northeast, however, already in May they take a direction close to meridional, from south to north. In June-July, very often the isoants with their eastern ends slightly bend to the north, i.e. the flowering time movement takes on a direction from southeast to northwest at this time.

Numerous studies have shown that, in the flat conditions of the European part of the USSR, the beginning of the flowering of many plants is 2 days late as it moves northward by each degree of latitude, i.e., approximately 110 km   In other words, “spring is coming” from south to north at a speed of about 50 km   per day.

The terrain should be taken into account, namely: for every 100 m   the development of plants, as well as flowering, is delayed by 2-3 days. Using these sticks, you can determine the approximate phase of flowering of a plant that is resistant under given conditions for almost any item, if the date of its blooming is known in some other, if possible, nearest item. It is only necessary to take into account the distance between these points and the difference in height.

In the calendars placed in this chapter, flowering dates are given for three points: the Forest-Steppe Experimental Ornamental Gardening Station, the Trostyanetsk Dendrological Park, and the Central Republican Botanical Garden of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (TsRBS) in Kiev.

The tables of blooming dates for trees and shrubs (Tables 24 and 25) give Russian and Latin names for the breeds, a brief description of their growth under the conditions of their homeland and their distribution (homeland and, usually, in the culture of the middle band of the European part of the USSR), as well as decorative features inflorescences.

The forest-steppe experimental station is located in the Lipetsk region, approximately 7 ° 37 "east longitude (from Pulkovo) and 52 ° 58" north latitude. Vysbta above sea level of the territory of the station around 174-237 m

Trostyanets dendrological park is located in the southeastern part of the Chernihiv region, approximately at latitude 50 ° 48 "(east longitude from Greenwich about 32 ° 41"). Altitude about 150-200 m

Forest steppe station data are average data of a ten-year period. The average data of the arboretum are calculated for 4-6 years. The central republican botanical garden - for 2-10 or more years, depending on the breed.

Sometimes discrepancies between the actual data of the average flowering dates of all these three points are found to be explained mainly by different years of observations, and maybe in some cases, inaccuracies in the observations and the plants are not identical. In such cases, the initial data should be taken from the Forest-Steppe Station.

Many people who like to relax in nature, walk in the woods or just sit in the park, pay attention to huge, tall trees. The most frequently asked question is how many years have trees lived. One of the most beautiful and mysterious are oak and birch groves. Walking past massive oaks or slender and tall birches, do you think how many years trees live?

Mysterious Oak

Walking along the oak grove, you pay attention to the mystery of these trees. The question involuntarily arises in my head about how many years lives. This is one of the most common trees in the northern hemisphere, belonging to the Bukov family. There are legends about this mighty tree. Even in ancient Greece, oak groves were called the habitat of the goddess of fertility Demeter and noted the beneficial properties of oak.

  So, for example, it has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and is used in traditional medicine. - Acorns - are rich in such a useful substance as quercetin, and are used to relieve swelling, inflammation, spasms, and also have an excellent antioxidant property. Oak is a very durable material, so it is used in the manufacture of household furniture, wine barrels and various items of an artistic nature. Oak, like many other trees, has its own species. In total there are about 600 species of oaks. The most common are petiolate, dentate and rocky. Regardless of the type, the tree can reach a height of 20 to 40 meters, and the trunk circumference - up to 9 meters.

How old is the oak tree?

Passing by old oaks, you wonder how many years live trees with such powerful trunks? The average life span of an oak tree does not depend on the type of given tree and is 300 - 400 years. But rare cases are known when trees survive to 2,000 years. So, for example, located in Palestine, it is about 1900 years old. Christians consider it a holy tree. According to the Bible, Patriarch Abraham received God under this tree. Stelmuzhsky oak grows in Lithuania, it is considered the oldest oak tree in Europe, according to some reports, its age is 2000 years.

Beautiful birch

In addition to oak, one of the most common trees in the northern hemisphere is birch. It belongs to the deciduous family, It occupies one of the first places in beauty, its graceful white trunk attracts with its stream of outgoing light. Birch has a special place in the culture of Slavic, Finnish and Scandinavian ancient tribes. So, for example, among the Slavs this tree protects and protects from evil spirits. Birch is famous not only for its beauty, but also for its benefits, as well as medicinal properties. Birch sap, which is collected in early spring, has a large amount of minerals and is useful for humans. Birch buds contain a large amount of essential oil, so they are used as a diaphoretic and blood-purifying agent. Birch is the main raw material for charcoal, which is used in everyday life, in addition, durable wood is obtained from birch. In total, about 120 are known. In addition, the most common one is yellow and weeping. These species reach an average of 25-30 meters in height and up to 80 centimeters in diameter. Walking along the birch grove and admiring such beauties, one involuntarily wonders how many years the trees live?

How old are birch trees?

This type of tree grows in almost all regions of the northern hemisphere, and therefore it is important to know how many years trees live. Birch, unlike oak, lives as long as it is prescribed by a certain species. The average life expectancy of fluffy and weeping is approximately about 100 years. In turn, the life span of yellow birch reaches 150 years.

White birch has long been considered a symbol of Russia. It is hardly possible to imagine Russian fields, forests and groves without these trees. Its beauty was sung by poets, writers and artists at all times. Just as many years as a birch lives, this tree accompanied the Russian man. She was worshiped, loved and feared. Some Slavic tribes believed that the souls of the dead live in birch trees, so settlements were created away from these trees. Many, on the contrary, believed that birch scares away evil forces and brings happiness.

In the summer, in the shadow of its sprawling branches, one could hide from the sun and relax; in winter, the logs of this tree were heated by a log hut. It is impossible to imagine a Russian bath without a birch broom, and its juice was always appreciated for the miraculous properties of restoring strength and purifying blood.

Decorative advantages of birch wood are actively used in furniture production. The hardness and uniformity of the thin fiber surface, easy processing, soft, golden sheen and matchless shade of this tree have gained popularity among furniture masters. Adult trees are especially appreciated.

In no country in the world has birch been as popular as in our country. And no country in the world has so many. Cold climate does not harm this unpretentious tree. It can grow in swampy lowlands, and on rocky hills, and along river banks. He likes open, sunny spaces, however, he can normally transfer shaded areas. In recent years, birch has been actively planted in city parks and alleys, however, in unnatural conditions for itself, the tree is unlikely to live up to seventy years.

Nevertheless, the question “how many years has a birch lived” can be safely answered that it depends on its type and climatic conditions of growth.

To date, scientists count about a hundred species of these trees: from dwarf or shrubby, growing in the regions of the far north in permafrost and reaching a maximum height of not more than one meter, to the more familiar hanging birch, whose height reaches thirty meters.

How many years has a birch lived, you can determine if you look closely at it. If the tree grew naturally, in the wild conditions familiar to it and was not subjected to cultivation by a person, then the chance of surviving it to one and a half hundred years increases significantly. In the territories of the Far East bordering China, Schmittt's birch grows, which can reach the age of four hundred years.