One of the representatives of relict conifers is the Pitsund pine. It got its name in honor of the Abkhazian city of Pitsunda. This tree has a number of unique advantages, one of which is considered a beautiful decorative property.
Pitsunda pine forest
The Pitsunda pine is an endangered species that has taken its place in the Red Book. It can be found only along the Black Sea coast, from Gelendzhik to Abkhazia. The largest grove grows in the town of Pitsunda. Perhaps that's why the pine is so named.
This unpretentious plant chooses sandy or rocky slopes, on which an adult tree grows quickly enough. It does not require a lot of moisture, it reacts poorly to air pollution. Perfectly tolerates heat, but is sensitive to cold. The minimum temperature that a tree can tolerate is -25 degrees.
In free growth, it is almost not found, mainly its artificial plantings predominate. The main reason for the death of pine trees is the growth of road networks and tourist sites, as well as seasonal fires.
The largest natural forest, which forms the Pitsunda pine, in Gelendzhik. Its area is about 950 hectares. It is rightfully recognized as a natural monument.
Pitsunda pine and its characteristics
A distinctive feature of the Pitsunda pine is its fairly rapid growth. The tree has a smooth trunk and reaches a height of up to 25 m. After 20 years, it begins to bring bumps. The brown trunk with a shade of gray is on average 0.3 meters in diameter. The branches may have a brownish or reddish tint.
You can recognize this type of pine tree by its very long needles. They are almost 3 times larger than the usual one. They grow up to 15 cm. It is due to this that the Pitsunda pine shows its useful properties so vividly.
The adult Pitsunda pine cones are also quite large in size. They grow up to 10 cm in length, and up to 5 cm in diameter.
The noble type of trees allows you to grow very beautiful groves. And their unpretentiousness makes it possible to transform the rocky slopes that are poor in fertile soils.
Pitsunda pine useful properties
The healing properties of the tree have become world-famous. The Pitsunda pine has acquired useful properties of a special level due to the length of its needles.
The fact is that it, like many varieties of pines, secretes phytoncides. These are special volatile aromatic substances or essential oils. They are released when the sun warms the green cover of the tree and have a powerful decontaminating effect. The long needles of Pitsunda pine secrete 6 times more phytoncides than ordinary pines. Therefore, they can even kill the bacillus that causes tuberculosis.
The air near the pine groves is saturated with phytoncides, so it is so useful to breathe them, taking a leisurely walk in the shade of the trees. In combination with the smallest drops of sea water, it becomes a unique tool for the treatment and prevention of serious respiratory diseases. At the same time, a special resin aroma makes every breath extremely pleasant.
Pitsunda pine has useful properties of a different nature:
* Aromatic substances have a calming effect that can normalize the work of the psyche after stress or fatigue;
* Jam made from pine cones has an anti-cold effect;
* Medicinal decoctions are made from young shoots, which can lead to the normal functioning of the cardiovascular and digestive systems;
* Teas made from pine needles have diuretic properties.
* Collected Pitsunda pine pollen normalizes libido and sex hormone levels
Such a unique set of healing properties explains the widespread use of all parts of the relict plant in folk medicine.
Pitsunda pine tree planting and location selection
Pitsunda pine is considered an unpretentious tree. However, to grow a coniferous beauty, you should consider a number of nuances.
There are three ways to get a young tree for planting: sprouting from seed, cutting or buying a ready-made seedling.
Of course, it is most convenient to purchase ready-made planting material. In this case, it will be possible to avoid the difficulty of germinating the tree.
Those who want to go through all the stages of self-landing will need certain knowledge and skills.
Methods of growing seedlings:
1. From the cones of the Pitsunda pine.
Pitsunda pine seeds can be purchased already prepared for planting. To collect them yourself, you need to choose an adult pine tree. The cones are collected before they open. Then they are dried, and only after that the seeds are extracted.
A few days before planting, the seed should be filled with warm water. Plant them in a pot with a mixture of peat and leafy earth. The depth of the hole is about 3 cm. The container with seeds should stand in a warm place and be well moistened. You can build a greenhouse by covering the top of the pot with a film. In 6 months, the plants grow by about 10 cm. After the trunk begins to grow woody, the sprouts can be moved to the greenhouse, where they will grow stronger for 2-3 years before transplanting to a permanent place.
2. From the cuttings of the Pitsunda pine.
This method is convenient because it allows you to get a lot of sprouts from one tree. In the mother pine, vertical branches are cut out about 1 year old. At the same time, you should grab a few mm of the barrel. For a few hours, they are lowered into warm water, after which a root stimulator is added. The stalk is planted immediately in the greenhouse.
When transferring a seedling to the ground, it is necessary to choose a place:
* The place should be well lit, as the pine tree does not grow well in the shade;
* The average temperature should be at least 25 degrees, since the plant does not tolerate cold;
* It is better if the soil is rich in salts;
* Be sure to prepare a drainage layer of crushed stone or expanded clay when planting.
Parameters of the pit for planting: diameter of about 50 cm, depth of at least 70 cm. A few meters should be left between the trees.
It is better to plant trees in the middle of spring. You can also do this in the period from late August to mid-September.
For the first few months, the trees should be watered abundantly in the evening. This contributes to better survival and faster growth. Also, in the first 2-3 years, the plants should be fed. To do this, it is better to choose fertilizers with potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
When the tree grows up, it will no longer need additional care.
Interesting facts about Pitsunda pine
Pitsunda pine is an ancient plant that appeared on Earth millions of years ago.
What else will be interesting to know about this variety of conifers:
* Over the course of its life, the pine tree changes its shape from cone-shaped to umbrella-shaped;
* The average life age of the plant is 80 years;
• This pine is very similar to the Calabrian (Turkish) pine, as well as its variety in the Crimea;
* It has important soil-strengthening and anti-erosion properties.
The use of Pitsunda pine in cooking
Due to the healing properties of Pitsunda pine, many of its parts are used in cooking.
Housewives brew young shoots in the form of tea, make special infusions. Jam is made from cones. And also add them to alcoholic tinctures.
Such products and drinks have not only anti-inflammatory properties, but also emit a pleasant resin aroma.
Pitsunda pine pollen is widely used in desserts and in medicine.
