Conifers in modern landscape design are used as widely as deciduous trees. They do not have special requirements for the soil, they tolerate adverse weather conditions well, and also look very effective in the garden at any time of the year. Lovers of beautiful and expressive plants will definitely like the long-lasting Akrokona spruce.
Norway spruce Akrokona
It is known that for the first time this subspecies of common spruce was found at the end of the 19th century in a forest near the Swedish city of Uppsala. The tree got its unusual name because of the special bright cones of a bright red color, which are formed at the tips of the branches. In translation, "acro" means "at the end", which is why the spruce is called Akrokona (Picea abies ‘Acrocona’).
Brief information about the species
- Colour: the needles are deep green, the cones are bright red.
- Height: An adult tree grows up to 3-4 m in length.
- Crown width: depending on the cutting method, it can be up to 3 m in diameter.
- In which regions is it growing: the growing area is extensive - from the Urals to Western Europe.
- Landing features: needs drainage and also prefers drained sandy loam and loamy soils.
- Immunity: resistant to adverse weather conditions, diseases and pests.
- Plife expectancy: Up to 50 and more years.
Growing regions
Due to its undemanding soil and weather conditions, this spruce grows over a vast territory - from the Urals to Western Europe. The life span of a tree is from 30 to 50 years or more.
Description of the plant
The coniferous beauty is asymmetric in structure, but this does not spoil it at all, but on the contrary, gives a peculiar zest. The tree is quite miniature, so it will not clutter and shade the site.
An adult spruce grows only 3-4 meters in height, its branches are slightly inclined downward. The central trunk is often invisible.
The needles are deep green, young needles are lighter. The trunk is straight, the bark is thin with slight cracks and roughness.
Cones are a decoration. The spruce is especially beautiful in spring, when it is strewn with them along with green shoots.
Planting and choosing a seedling
As practice shows, it is better to entrust the choice of a seedling and its planting to experienced specialists. But if the owner of the plot wants to plant a seedling on his own, then it is necessary to choose the right place for it.
It is better to plant in early spring when the snow melts. If necessary, it is allowed to plant the plant in the fall before the first frost.
Site preparation
It is advisable to protect a young tree from the sun's rays.
It is advisable to choose a sunny place, although a small partial shade is also suitable.
In spring, young trees can suffer from sunburn, therefore, for the first couple of years, Christmas trees, which have intensive growth of new shoots, are recommended to be shaded.
Landing technology
The planting hole is made deep enough - at least 50-60 cm. An important point is that the root collar should be at ground level when planting.
At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to put a drainage of sand and crushed brick. It is also recommended to prepare a mixture of leaf and turf soil, peat and sand and place it in a pit.
Care
Watering
The first week after planting, young spruce should be watered abundantly with water. In the future, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times every 7 days.
It should be borne in mind that the plant does not tolerate both stagnant water and dry soil, although it is quite resistant to their short-term effects. In the hot season, it is advisable to sprinkle the crown.
Top dressing
Experts in the cultivation of conifers recommend feeding the root system after planting.
For this, you can use 100-150 g of nitroammophoska. Further, approximately 2 times a season, it is necessary to apply special fertilizers for this crop.
Mulching and loosening the soil
Norway spruce Akrokona responds well to periodic soil loosening. If necessary, it is necessary to slightly loosen the soil to a depth of 5-6 cm so as not to damage the closely located root system.
While the plant is young, a little peat can be added when loosening under the root. It is advisable to cover young Christmas trees with spruce branches before winter.
Pruning
Pruning should be done in early summer
Trimming ephedra depends on what kind of crown the owner of the site wants to see. The spruce tolerates any haircut normally, the pruning period is the beginning of summer, when the active growth of tree branches stops.
Preparing for winter
Spruce Akrokona does not require special shelters for the winter and calmly tolerates even frosts at -35 °. It is recommended to cover only young trees.
Reproduction
In order for an Acrocona spruce to grow on the site, and not an ordinary coniferous tree, it is necessary to purchase planting material in specialized nurseries.
They sell high-quality grafted seedlings with good immunity to the weather conditions of the region. The price of a plant depends on its height, age and crown diameter and can range from 15,000 rubles.
Diseases and pests
Possible ate diseases:
- fusarium;
- stem and root rot;
- bark necrosis;
- ulcerative (wound) cancer;
- rust of buds.
Sometimes the tree is affected by pests, in particular, the spruce leafworm, spider mite, and Sitka aphid.
Use in landscape design
Can be used as a specimen tree in small areas. Most often planted as the main element in Japanese compositions, rocky or heather gardens.
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Gardeners reviews
As gardeners note, in recent years, various types of spruce, including Akrokona, are experiencing a real sold-out in landscape design.
Indeed, the falling crown or branches in the form of an arch or a cone with unusual red cones is not only beautiful, but also benefits others.
Spruce releases many phytoncides into the air, which have antimicrobial and antifungal effects. It also softens the microclimate, helps curb gusts of wind and absorbs noise and dust.