Larch Dahurian: description, properties, cultivation, application

Larch Dahur, a photo of which can be seen in our article, is the most "northern" tree in the world. The plant is able to grow in permafrost conditions. Dahurian larch is especially common on extensive areas in the eastern part of Siberia.

On what soil does the plant grow? What are its properties? In what areas of industry is larch wood used? About all this later in the article.

Larch Dahur - description

This tree, which can reach an altitude of about 35 meters. The plant has a straight trunk and a round-pyramidal crown. Larch Dahur has widely spread branches. Perennial trees often have several vertices.

Young shoots have a pinkish tinge. Grayish-brown bark accounts for up to 25% of the barrel volume. Closer to the roots, the plant contains deep cracks.

Dahurian larch has soft needles of bright green hue. The latter has a soft, supple structure and forms bundles, in each of which there can be from 25 to 40 narrow-gauge needles.

The plant has oval-shaped cones, the length of which reaches 30 mm. Seeds of larch ripen in late summer. With the onset of the September dry days, the buds of the plant begin to mass open.

Habitat

Daurian larch is a northern type of wood that is widespread in the Far East. The plant is distinguished by extreme endurance to aggressive environmental influences. In mountainous, snow-covered areas the tree takes a short-necked shape with widely spread branches. In the extreme northern part of its habitat, the plant is able to withstand a temperature drop of -60 ° C.

Larch Dahurian likes to grow in lowlands, where there are peaty, swampy soils. However, the plant is able to develop and breed on stony mountain slopes. In general, adult perennial trees are extremely unpretentious and have an impressive durability, surviving to 500 years or more. This is facilitated by the presence of a well-developed, split root system, thanks to which the tree is firmly anchored in the soil and easily resists the strongest gusts of the squall wind.

Larch Dahurian - properties

Tinctures from the needles of Dahurian larch were used for centuries as an expectorant, a mild laxative and diuretic. Alcohol extracts based on plant shoots are effective in healing purulent wounds, eliminating abscesses.

The crushed bark of the plant has antipyretic properties. It can be consumed with poor appetite, problems with the functioning of the pancreas, the development of urological infections.

Decoction from the branches of Dahurian larch is known as an effective expectorant. Use it for peptic ulcer of the gastric mucosa, as well as urethritis.

It is proved that preparations made on the basis of pine needles and bark of the plant are able to withstand the reproduction of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic streptococcus.

Peculiarities of growing

Daurian larch perfectly transfers the movement to a new place of growth. As shoots for transplantation are suitable as annual, young plants, and adults, well-rooted trees. As for the cultivation of plants from seeds, there are some difficulties. In this case, extremely fertile and moist soil is required.

To obtain seeds of larch Dahurian, it is necessary to have ripe cones in stock, which have a light brown hue. Collect them should be in the period of needle congestion. The cones are dried in a well-ventilated area until the scales are opened. After the seeds fall, they are collected and laid out on paper bags. In this form, the seeds are kept in the refrigerator until the spring heat comes.

Before planting Dahurian larch from seeds, they are soaked in cold water. As soon as the earth warms up well in the spring sun, the plant is planted in fertile soil to a depth of 5 mm. If the seeds are too deep in the substrate, they are likely to die.

Seedlings of the plant after planting the seeds should be expected for several weeks. Young shoots need an abundance of solar heat. Therefore, even with a slight shading of the site quickly die. Watering the plant must be done regularly, not allowing waterlogging of the soil.

Application

Larch Dahurian has a heavy, elastic and hard wood. They use it in the cellulose, hydrolysis and paper industries. Often, wood is used in car building, the production of planed and peeled veneer. Due to its highest strength, Dahurian larch looks ideal material for the production of piles, mine racks, communication posts, railway sleepers.