Ayan spruce is a typical representative of conifers of taiga far eastern forests. It is characterized by a pale undergrowth and a special cover of grass, which is poorly developed. It can be safely stated that Ayan spruce is one of the ancient species of the plant world of Primorye, because the species closest to it existed in the mid-Tertiary period. Ayan spruce trees live for about 500 years.
Wood appearance
In appearance, this coniferous plant is similar to Sith and ordinary spruce. The difference between this evergreen tree and ordinary spruce is in the size of the shoots and cones, which are smaller than other species. This difference is difficult to see in the photo of fir trees, so it is often confused with ordinary fir.
The maximum height of the tree is about fifty meters. As a rule, the higher the mountains, the lower the crown, and the thinner the trunk. The tree has a crown in the form of a regular cone with a pointed top. The bark of young firs is smooth and has a dark gray color. Over the years, Ayansky spruce acquires a layered bark. The needles of this species are flat, and its color from the bottom is bright bluish, and to the top is dark green. Needles have a length of about two centimeters. Cones give a glossy sheen, and their length is approximately seven centimeters. The seeds of spruce are small in size, for this reason the tree has another common name - small-seeded spruce.
Range of spruce ayan
Ayan spruce grows in the north, but it does not reach the northern border, where Siberian spruce is widespread. The river basins of Aldoma and Lantar, which flow into the Sea of Okhotsk, are the most extreme areas where this evergreen tree is found.
In areas south of the small-seeded spruce can be found on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, namely, near the basins of nearby rivers.
In the west, this species of spruce grows in separate sections, which reach the Stanovoi Range and the Tukuringra Mountains, located in the southeast of Yakutia.
Ayan spruce grows in Kamchatka, namely, near the valley of the river of the same name. This species grows on islands such as Sakhalin, Chantra and Kuril. On the first island, the species is found at 48 ° north latitude, where Ayan spruce is the main coniferous species. Here she grows together with the local fir and fir of Myra, with the latter she shares a dominant position.
Features of the growth of small seed spruce
The slopes of the mountains and plateaus are the main locations where small-seeded spruce grows. In coastal areas it is found above 700 meters above sea level, and in the north above 400 meters. In the latter case, conifers are found in areas with humid air and in cool and rainy summers. That is why, to the south, trees of this species in most cases are low and oppressed.
On mountain belts and in river valleys, Ayansky spruce is much less common than in the above listed places.
This species does not grow near permafrost and in places with stagnant moisture. In marshy areas, trees grow stunted and stunted. In places with dense shade, the tree develops well and successfully completes self-sowing.
Young undergrowth appears most often in places with half-rotten stumps, trees and other forest humus. But in an open area with loamy soil, young trees often die from late spring frosts.
This conifer is demanding on the soil. It grows most often on moderately moist loam. On sandy and peaty soils dies. Sometimes it grows on the soil with stones and rubble. It does not tolerate transplants, undercut branches and polluted air. Ayan spruce, the description of which we consider in this article, is well adapted to the cool short summer period.
The use of ayan spruce
Spruce spruce is an important forest-forming species of the Far Eastern forests. Its wood is used in the same way as European spruce wood, but the mechanical properties of Ayan spruce are somewhat worse. In particular, wood is used for pulp and paper production.
The best characteristics are possessed by trees that grow on the gentle slopes of the mountains. For the protection of ayan spruce, growing in accessible areas, reserves are created.
Ayan spruce is most often used for decorative purposes, due to its bluish tint of needles. It is especially popular in forest park areas. It looks great against the background of other dark coniferous or deciduous species. This contrast among tree species is noticeable in the photo of fir trees below.
A special beauty of an evergreen tree is given by its cones having a light brown color and an oval cylindrical shape.
