Siberian Fir - Abies Sibirica - 100 Seeds Pack

It is in leaf all year, in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.

 

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March. Germination is usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. It best grown on in a sunny position.

 

Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope.

 

Application and use

In industry and construction

There are no resin passages in fir wood; it is light, soft, light yellow in color, easy to process.

Fir gives logs for the production of lumber, the production of masts, poles and piles. Ranges: deck (for the manufacture of boats and decks of ships), resonant (for musical instruments), riveting (for making parts for jellied and dry barrels), sleeper, plywood and even aviation. Mine longitude and mine stand are necessary for fixing the vaults of mine workings.

Turpentine is obtained from resin.

The bark of freshly cut trees contains essential oil and tannins.

In medicine

From the needles of young branches and cones, essential fir oil is obtained by steam distillation (depending on the age of the tree, its content ranges from 0.8 to 4.75%, consisting of half of bornyl acetate). The fraction of bornyl acetate can be used for the semi-synthesis of medical camphor used as a means of enhancing the activity of the heart, and as an external agent (camphor alcohol, camphor oil).It is also used in the perfume and soap industries.

The needles contain 200-900 mg% of ascorbic acid. The maximum content of ascorbic acid is observed in April.

In medicine and optics

Fir balsam, contained in large resinous receptacles called "nodules", contains up to 30% essential oil and 70% resin, is processed and used in medicine (for the preparation of a number of preparations) and in optics for gluing elements of optical systems. To obtain a balm, the nodules are pierced and squeezed.

In ornamental gardening

One of the most valuable conifers for landscape gardening in the north. It stands out among other conifers with the beauty of a narrow pyramidal crown with a sharp top, which is also preserved in old trees. The period of special decorativeness is spring, when young cones are purple in color, and male oval inflorescences are brownish-red or bright yellow with a reddish bloom.

Life expectancy is no more than 150-200 years, as the trunk is affected by rot. Up to 10 years it grows slowly.

Siberian fir is very frost-resistant, highly sensitive to gas pollution and soot. Shade-tolerant, but can grow in well-lit places. On dry soils, it has a tap root and deep-reaching lateral roots, which makes this species very wind resistant. In wet soils, the root system is shallow and trees can be knocked down by strong winds.

It is used for single landings, in small groups, as well as for creating alleys and high hedges.