Useful and unique trees for mixed forests

Useful and unique trees for mixed forests

In addition to oak, ash, maple, linden and elm, trees that performspecial functions: they produce nuts and fruits, fix nitrogen, accumulate minerals, maintain a green crown in winter, form valuable timber or increase the forest's resistance to drought.

It is important to distinguish:

true cedars - Cedrus: Lebanese, Atlas, Himalayan and Cypriot;

plants that are called cedars in the local language, but botanically they are pines:Siberian, Korean, and European cedar pine.

A large table of useful trees

Real cedars

Genus CedarIt includes four main geographical species: Lebanese, Atlas, Himalayan, and Cyprus. They produce upright cones that disintegrate along the branches, unlike the drooping, solid cones of spruce and most pines.

Cedar of Lebanon

Cedar of LebanonNaturally native to the mountains of southern Turkey, Lebanon, and adjacent areas of the Eastern Mediterranean, it is a true temperate cedar. (Plants of the World Online)

Main properties:

height is usually 20–35 m;

huge horizontal crown at maturity;

life expectancy - many centuries;

high winter hardiness among true cedars;

tolerance to dry summers;

ability to grow on neutral and alkaline soils;

valuable aromatic wood.

Cedar of Lebanon is best used assingle upper tier accentor a small group in a sunny, well-drained location. It requires a large space and is not suitable for a cramped second tier. Its natural appearance and durable wood have historically made it one of the most famous trees of the Mediterranean.kew.org)

Atlas cedar

Atlantic cedarIt originates from the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. This species is particularly symbolic for the Moroccan Green Line project, but its natural niche is not the hot ocean coast of the desert, but the cooler mountainous regions of North Africa.Plants of the World Online)

Practical application:

mountain green belts;

restoration of cool high slopes;

arboretums;

parks;

experimental climate sites of Europe.

It tolerates dry periods, but is not a tree of arid deserts. For stable development, it requires winter precipitation, deep rooting, and managed planting density.

Himalayan cedar

Deodar cedaroccurs from northeastern Afghanistan through the Himalayas to western Nepal. (Plants of the World Online)

It is beautiful, grows faster than many cedars and forms soft, drooping tops, but:

It tolerates severe continental frosts worse than the Lebanese variety;

needs more moisture;

may be damaged by wet snow;

Suitable especially for mild areas of Switzerland and protected parks.

Cyprus cedar

Cedar short-leavedIt is naturally found only in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. (Plants of the World Online)

This rare tree has, first of all:

nature conservation;

genetic;

collectible;

educational value.

It should not be considered as a mass forest crop.

"Cedar" pines with edible nuts

For food forests, it is often more useful not to use real cedar, butcedar pine.

European stone pine

For Switzerland it is most naturalPinus cembra- European stone pine, or Arola.

Its features:

naturally linked to the Alps;

tolerates severe frosts and wind;

produces large edible seeds;

interacts with the nutcracker, which carries and buries the seeds;

forms the upper forest boundary together with larch;

lives for several hundred years.

For the lowlands of the Zurich Oberland it is suitable as a collection or food tree, but it thrives best in cooler mountain conditions.

Korean cedar pine

Pinus koraiensisespecially interesting for productive food forests:

large nuts;

high nutritional value;

winter hardiness;

durability;

valuable wood;

food for birds and animals.

However, a mature tree takes up a lot of space, and the fruit doesn't appear immediately. It's best to plant several genetically different specimens to ensure proper pollination.

The best nut trees

Walnut

Walnut combines four functions at once:

food;

oil;

medicinal and cosmetic raw materials;

expensive wood.

Grows better:

in a sunny place;

on deep soil;

without stagnant water;

outside frost basins;

at a distance of approximately 10–15 m from large neighbors.

The nut stands outjuglone, which suppresses some sensitive plants. This doesn't mean nothing can grow underneath it, but it's better to plant resistant species nearby and avoid making it the center of a dense fruit bed.

Good companions:

oak;

linden tree at a sufficient distance;

hazel;

red;

mulberry;

elderberry;

some herbs and bulbous plants.

It is better to test sensitive crops beforehand.

Sweet chestnut

The chestnut is one of the most important trees in the food forest. It produces starchy nuts that can be dried, ground into flour, and stored.

Prefers:

temperate climate;

drained soil;

sufficient amount of precipitation;

short or moderate drought;

slightly acidic soil.

In highly calcareous soils, chestnut trees often suffer from chlorosis. They adapt well to a variety of conditions, but prolonged droughts and diseases can severely damage plants.EUFORGEN)

It is better to plant several varieties or genetically different trees for pollination.

Rare fruit trees of special value

Rowan tree

The modern accepted name of the species isCormus domestica, was previously widely usedSorbus domestica.

This is a rare tree:

reaches approximately 15–20 m;

produces edible fruits;

pollinated by insects;

grows in Central and Southern Europe;

has valuable dense wood;

tolerates warm, dry conditions;

known in culture since ancient times. (EUFORGEN)

The fruits are usually consumed after they have ripened and softened. They can be used to make:

cider;

jam;

sauces;

dried products;

fermented drinks.

Restoration of this species often requires targeted planting, as natural regeneration is poor. (EUFORGEN)

Bereka

Rowan tree— a rare, medium-sized tree native to warm European forests. It produces small fruits and exceptionally valuable, beautiful wood. The species is widespread in western, central, and southern Europe.EUFORGEN)

Best conditions:

light oak grove;

calcareous soil;

warm slope;

moderate dryness;

lack of strong shading by beech or maple.

It's best to introduce young saplings earlier or at the same time as fast-growing neighbors, otherwise they will lose out to competing for light. EUFORGEN recommends maintaining the species as individual trees and small groups in suitable forested areas.EUFORGEN)

Nitrogen-fixing trees

Such trees form a symbiosis with microorganisms that convert atmospheric nitrogen into available compounds.

Alder

For Europe the most useful are:

Black alder - damp lowlands;

grey alder - colder and disturbed areas;

green alder - mountain slopes;

Small-leaved alder - warm experimental sites.

Alder improves poor soils, but excessive nitrogen-fixing plants can alter the natural vegetation. Therefore, alder is planted according to the water regime, rather than uniformly throughout the forest.

Robinia

Robinia gives:

lots of nectar;

very durable wood;

rapid slope consolidation;

nitrogen;

fuel and poles.

However, in Central Europe, it can spread aggressively via root suckers and enrich poor habitats with nitrogen, destroying their characteristic flora. Therefore, it is acceptable to use it:

on technical lands;

near commercial facilities;

on strictly controlled energy plantations;

but not inside a natural oak-linden forest.

Unique coniferous trees

Yew berry

Yew is one of the longest-lived European trees.

Advantages:

tolerates deep shade;

remains green in winter;

withstands pruning;

can form the lower coniferous layer;

red aril plants serve as food for birds;

The wood is very strong and elastic.

The restriction is fundamental: the seeds, needles, and wood contain toxic substances. Yew trees cannot be planted en masse near pastures, where branches could fall into the hands of horses or cattle.

White fir

Fir is suitable for cool, moist forests and creates a tall coniferous canopy. It is shade-tolerant and pairs well with:

with noise;

sycamore;

elm tree;

large-leaved linden;

rowan.

However, during warmer weather and drought, fir trees in lowlands may weaken. They are best planted on north-facing slopes and in cool hollows.

European larch

The uniqueness of the larch is that it is a deciduous coniferous tree.

She:

lets in winter light;

forms a light canopy;

produces durable resinous wood;

grows in sunny mountain areas;

Combines well with the stone pine in the Alps.

However, larch does not tolerate shade well and should not be located within a dense linden-maple canopy.

Which trees are especially beneficial for the forest?

Twelve priority species

Recommended structure of unusual mixed forest

For the territory in Central Europe, it is possible to create not a homogeneous mixture, but several functional zones.

1. The main long-lasting forest

oak;

linden;

elm;

maple;

ash tree;

hornbeam;

yew in separate groups.

2. Food tree belt

chestnut;

walnut;

hazelnut;

wild apple tree;

wild pear;

merry;

mulberry;

domestic rowan.

3. Dry warm slope

sessile oak or downy oak;

field maple;

field elm;

bereka;

domestic rowan;

Cedar of Lebanon;

Atlas cedar experimentally;

juniper and red.

4. Cool mountain sector

European stone pine;

larch;

fir;

sycamore;

rowan;

rough elm.

5. Wet lowland

English oak;

smooth elm;

black alder;

willow;

black poplar;

viburnum;

bird cherry.

6. Collectible "living library"

ginkgo;

metasequoia;

sequoiadendron;

Cyprus cedar;

domestic rowan;

rare local genotypes of elm, ash and fruit trees.

What would I recommend adding first?

For a project in Switzerland, the most valuable set is:

Pinus cembra— local alpine cedar pine.

Castanea sativa- food chestnut on suitable slightly acidic soil.

Royal walnut- walnut in warm, deep soil.

Cormus domestica— rare domestic rowan.

Rowan tree— a stream.

Corylus colurna— tree hazel.

Taxus baccata- yew in the protected lower tier.

Cedar of Lebanon- one or more monumental trees.

Deciduous larch- for sunny mountain or open areas.

Malus sylvestris and Pyrus pyraster- local wild fruits.

In Switzerland, bereka, walnut and yew are already considered important forest genetic resources, making them particularly suitable for a project that simultaneously focuses on biodiversity, adaptation and the conservation of rare species. (EUFORGEN)

The main principle:a unique tree should receive a separate ecological niche, and not simply added to a dense mix. Cedar requires open, sunny soil, chestnut requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil, walnut requires deep, fertile soil, cedar requires a sunny oak grove, and yew requires a sheltered, shady lower level.