Aspen wood and its properties. Aspen (tree): description with photo

Aspen

Name: Common aspen.

Other names: Poplar trembling.

Latin name: Populus tremula L.

Family: Willows (Salicaceae)

Species: Aspen is a type of poplar with characteristic rounded, stiff leaves that sway with the slightest breeze. This feature of the tree is associated with the structure of the cuttings of its leaves, flattened and thin in the middle. Aspen is easily recognized by its light gray bark and reddish tint to the wood on the cut.

Lifespan: Photophilous, lives up to 150 years.

Plant type: Large deciduous tree.

Trunk (stem): The crown is rounded, broadly conical.

Height: Up to 35 meters high.

Leaves: The leaves are round, grayish-green, with jagged edges. The petioles are strongly flattened laterally, causing the leaves to sway even in light winds.

Flowers, inflorescences: Flower earrings drooping, cylindrical.

Flowering time: Blooms in April, before the leaves bloom.

Fruit: The fruit is a capsule, seeds with a fluffy tuft.

Ripening time: Ripens in June.

Collection time: Branches and bark are harvested early spring during the period of sap flow, buds - before blooming, leaves - in May-June.

Features of collection, drying and storage: Every 30 cm, circular cuts are made, which are connected longitudinally, after which the bark is easily removed. The bark is dried under a canopy or in a ventilated area. Aspen buds are collected at the beginning of the trees' flowering, breaking them off from the branches. The collected buds are dried in the shade in a draft or in a warm, ventilated room, spread in a thin (1-2 cm) layer on cloth or paper and stirring occasionally. Young, fully developed leaves are used fresh or dried.

Spreading: In Russia, common aspen is found throughout the entire territory (except for the Kuril Islands); in Ukraine – throughout the entire territory.

Habitats: Grows along the banks of reservoirs, in forests, along forest edges, on dry sands and clearings, in ravines, swamps and in the mountains.

Interesting facts: Thanks to its light wood, this tree was widely used by people for making household items (skis, wheel rims, arches, runners, matches, etc.). Currently, aspen is used for finishing saunas, since its wood is resistant to rotting and does not emit resin. From flexible shoots of young shoots, plants weave baskets and furniture.
The ancient Russian village of Khokhloma became famous throughout the world for its skilled craftsmen who made painted wooden jugs, dishes, cups, spoons, and toys. Many of these products are made from aspen! It cuts well with a knife and chops well with an axe.
Young shoots are the main food for moose, hares, deer, and beavers. The animals know about healing properties tree bark and carefully gnaw it in winter or eat rough young twigs, which is also useful for our pets. Thrifty owners have long collected aspen buds for poultry feed and knit brooms from its branches for goats, sheep and rabbits.

Signs, proverbs, legends: According to ancient beliefs, an aspen stake was the main weapon against evil spirits. When starting to build a hut, the peasants drove aspen pegs into the corners of the foundation. If a child suffered from insomnia, he was placed in an aspen cradle. When an epidemic of a dangerous disease was approaching the village, felled aspen trees were woven into the ground.

Medicinal parts: Medicinal raw materials are bark, leaves, young shoots and buds.

Useful content: The bark contains carbohydrates, aromatic acids, tannins, and higher fatty acids. Carbohydrates, aromatic acids, and tannins are found in the kidneys. The leaves contain carbohydrates, organic acids, carotene, vitamin C, flavonoids, phenol glycosides, anthocyanins and tannins.

Actions: Aspen preparations have diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, emollient, astringent and diuretic properties.

Infusion or decoction of kidneys prescribed orally for polyarthritis, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, acute and chronic inflammation of the bladder, urinary incontinence and painful urination (especially during pregnancy and after surgery), in case of prostate enlargement and as an antipyretic for fever.

Dosage forms:

Kidney infusion . 2 teaspoons of crushed buds in 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, strain. Drink the infusion throughout the day.

Decoction of buds or bark . 45 grams of buds or bark per 500 ml of water, boil until the liquid has evaporated by half, strain, add honey or sugar to taste. Take ¼ cup 3 times a day.

Bud tincture . 1 part buds to 10 parts 40% alcohol. Take 20-30 drops 3 times a day.

Ointment . 1 part raw material in powder form to 4 parts cow butter or petroleum jelly. Apply to sore spots.

External tincture of buds . 1 part buds to 5 parts 40% alcohol. Apply to sore spots.

Compress . Wrap 2-3 tablespoons of crushed leaves in gauze and immerse in boiling water. Apply the compress to sore spots.

Medicinal recipes:

Kidney infusion . 2 teaspoons of crushed buds in 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, strain. Drink the infusion throughout the day.
Haemorrhoids .

Aspen leaves Apply to hemorrhoidal cones and keep for about 2 hours if this does not cause concern. Then the leaves are removed and washed. After 1-2 days the procedure can be repeated.

Bark decoction . 1 tablespoon of raw material per 1 glass of water, boil for 20 minutes, leave for 2 hours, strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day after meals and in the form of baths.

Get well!

Trembling aspen or poplar- Populus tremula L. - a tree from the willow family (Salicaceae) 15-20 m high. good conditions aspen reaches larger sizes. For example, in Bryansk region a noticeable area is occupied by 50-year-old aspen forests with trees 25 m high. And in the Tver region, among the impenetrable sphagnum swamps, there are mounds (remnants of moraine), on which exceptionally large aspen trees grow: height 35 m, trunks with a diameter of up to 80 cm, and age only about 75 years. The bark of the trunks is predominantly gray, but there are aspen trees with greenish bark, and in Eastern Siberia and Mongolia - almost white-barked, from afar they can be mistaken for birch trees. The bark is smooth, only in old trees with longitudinal cracks.
The leaves are alternate, rounded-rhombic or rounded, 3-7 cm long and wide, glabrous, green above, bluish below, with uneven large rounded teeth along the edge. In autumn the leaves turn yellow and purple. Aspen owes its scientific name, “trembling poplar,” to its leaves (they have long petioles). Look closely at the aspen. Even when there seems to be no wind, its leaves constantly tremble. Hence the saying: “Trembles like an aspen leaf.” The mobility of the leaves is carried out due to flattened petioles, thinner in the middle than at the edges. On coppice shoots, the leaves are usually larger and of a different shape - triangular-ovate with a pointed tip.
Aspen flowers are small, dioecious, collected in inflorescences-catkins from 4 to 15 cm long. All species included in the willow family are dioecious plants, that is, on some individuals only male flowers develop, on others only female ones. Both flowers are arranged very simply, even primitively. They have no perianth at all. Male flowers consist of 5-8 stamens with red anthers, while female flowers consist of only a pistil with an upper ovary and two purple stigmas. Aspen blooms before the leaves bloom, in April.
The fruits ripen a month after flowering and open in the first hot days: late May - early June. The fruits are 2-leaf capsules with numerous small seeds, equipped with fluffy wings in the form of a tuft of hairs. 1,000 aspen seeds weigh only tenths of a gram. They fly very far because, due to their lightness, they hang in the air for a long time and are carried by the wind over a considerable distance. This is how aspen conquers new territories. Its fruiting is abundant and annual. Experts have calculated that up to 500 million aspen seeds ripen per 1 hectare of aspen forest in good years.
The seed begins to germinate a few hours after falling on wet soil- the seed coat bursts, revealing two tiny cotyledons. A day later a root appears. By autumn, the seedling has a stem the size of a pencil and a tap root up to 30 cm long. Aspen grows very quickly, especially in its youth. At 20 years old, trees are 10 meters high, and by 40 years old they reach size limits in height. Aspen does not live long - 80-90 years, but some trees live up to 140-150 years.
In the first years of life, aspen has a pronounced taproot. However, it soon stops growing, but the lateral roots grow very vigorously. They lie very shallowly, in the upper soil horizon, extend far away from the mother plant and produce abundant root shoots. The shoots grow very quickly - in the first year they reach half a meter in height. It is through shoots that aspen largely renews itself and spreads, although its seed reproduction is pronounced. Many aspen forests are composed of trees of exclusively coppice origin.

Aspen distribution

Aspen range - temperate zone Eurasia and mountains North Africa. A significant part of the range is in our country. In Russia, aspen is distributed almost everywhere. In the north it reaches the border of the forest with the tundra, in the south it reaches the dry steppes. In the forest-steppe it forms island groves, the so-called “aspen groves”. In saline areas it takes on a bush-like form. In the Alps it rises to mountains up to 2,000 m above sea level. Almost everywhere, aspen forms, as a rule, pure forests, with only a small admixture of other species in the upper layer. It is very light-loving, so where other species shade the aspen, it dies. Aspen itself often acts as an admixture in birch forests or in cleared areas of other forests.
Aspen forests most often appear on the site of oak and spruce forests destroyed by humans or destroyed by fire. Such aspen trees live relatively short - 80-100 years. They are light, which allows undergrowth of native species (oak, spruce, etc.) to grow successfully under their canopy, even if it is not shade-tolerant. Over time, the native tree species grown under the aspen canopy overtake the aspen in growth, shade it, and it dies, giving way to its stronger competitors. Thus, aspen plays an important biological role - preserving the forest area, it contributes to the restoration of oak forests and spruce forests.
Aspen can also act as a pioneer tree species. For example, abandoned arable lands in the Non-Black Earth zone of Russia quickly become overgrown with forest and turn into dense aspen or birch forests (in some places aspen-birch forests are formed). But they will not last long - under their canopy, an environment is again created for the settlement of indigenous, more durable species: spruce, oak, linden, etc.

Economic use of aspen

Aspen wood soft, light, but fragile. It is used for various crafts, such as wooden shovels, spoons, ladles and other chiseled and carved utensils. Plywood is made from it, as well as wood chips (shingles) used to cover roofs. In sparsely forested areas, aspen trunks are used as building material for the construction of residential buildings, sheds, and other utility rooms. Unfortunately, aspen wood is easily attacked by fungi that cause rotting of the core of the trunks, so choosing a good building material in an aspen forest can be difficult.
But aspen wood found its main use in match production. It is from this that matches are made, without which it is impossible to imagine our lives. How did aspen conquer the matchmakers? Of course, not with trembling leaves. The main advantage of its wood is the absence of resins and tannins that give off a smell when burned. In addition, it is light and burns well when dry, without soot. For the manufacture of so-called match straws, it is also important that aspen wood easily splits in the desired direction.
In sparsely forested areas, aspen is largely used for firewood, but its calorific value is quite low.
Aspen bark, despite its bitter taste, serves as food for wild game animals. Moose gnaw bark from growing trees, and hares clear it from fallen or cut aspen trunks. Bees collect pollen from aspen trees, as well as resinous bud secretions, which are then converted into propolis.

Medicinal value of aspen and methods of medicinal use

Aspen has not found application in scientific medicine. People use it quite widely for medicinal purposes. Buds, leaves, and bark are used for medicine. Aspen in paganism had a good meaning as a tree filled with an abundance of life; its leaves always tremble, sway, and talk to each other. That is why this tree was considered especially saving against all evil spirits. By folk beliefs, vampires can only be killed by piercing them with an aspen stake.
According to traditional healers, aspen preparations have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic effects.
Aspen bark and buds contain tannins, bitter glycosides, benzoic acid and other substances. Alcohol extract of aspen buds has a bactericidal effect on some dangerous microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enteric typhus bacteria). It is better to harvest buds from young trees in the spring - in April-May.

Aspen buds infused in vodka or 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10 for a week. Take 25-30 drops in water 3 times a day. This tincture is used for acute chronic cystitis and bladder weakness, gout and rheumatism.

A decoction of the young, greenish bark is good for inflammation of the bladder and kidneys: pour 1 tablespoon of crushed bark into 1 glass of water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Take 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day before meals.

Take a pinch (1 heaped tablespoon) of aspen buds or bark per 500 ml of boiling water. Boil for 15 minutes. Infuse, wrapped, for 3 hours. Take 1 cup 3 times a day for coughs and colds as a diuretic and diaphoretic, sweetened with honey. In addition, it is a good appetizer.

Boil one tablespoon of dry crushed aspen bark for 30 minutes. over low heat in 2 glasses of water. Infuse, wrapped, for 3 hours. Take 1/5-1/4 cup Zraz a day before meals in the early stages of diabetes. Drink for up to 3 months or more. A decoction of aspen bark also helps with gastritis.

Mix aspen wood ash with Vaseline in half or in a ratio of 1:4. Use the resulting ointment to treat areas affected by eczema.

Place crushed young aspen leaves, scalded with boiling water, on hemorrhoidal cones and leave for 2 hours. If these poultices bother the patient, remove the leaves and repeat the procedure after 1-2 days.

Traditional medicine different countries recommends for patients with prostate hypertrophy alcohol tincture aspen bark: 5 tablespoons of crushed bark per 0.5 liter of vodka, leave for 2 weeks. The bark is removed in early spring, young, greenish, from thin branches. The tincture is taken according to dessert spoon once a day shortly before meals. Instead of bark, you can infuse the buds in the same way and take 20-40 drops 3 times a day.

Kidney ointment is an excellent remedy for treating cracks in the chest and nipples: mix 1 part kidneys and 2 parts pork fat, grind and cook over low heat until completely dehydrated, strain. The same ointment can also be used to treat hemorrhoidal cones.
Dried and powdered aspen buds mixed with fresh butter, serve as an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing agent for burns, chronic ulcers and are used to soften hemorrhoids.
Ancient herbalists gave good advice: for inflammatory processes in the mouth, use a decoction of aspen, oak, and alder bark.
Evaporate alder and aspen barks and scrapes with water, strain them in steaming water, and then steam them with molasses, and hold that water in your mouth, but do not let it into the larynx at all - and that glen (mucus) will disappear.

IN Explanatory dictionary We find V.I. Dahl: fever and teeth are spoken of aspen. Having cut out a triangle from the bark (in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit), rub the gums with it until it bleeds and put it back in its place.
People know one original simple method of external use of aspen juice with table salt for toothache. They take a fresh aspen log, drill through the middle (but not all the way), pour salt into the hole and plug it. They throw the log into the fire and, without allowing it to burn to the end, pour salt, already soaked in juice, out of the hole. This salt is placed on a sore tooth or diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 for rinsing the mouth.

You can prepare a vitamin decoction from aspen leaves: pour 1 part of the crushed leaves with 4 parts of boiling water, boil for 10-15 minutes, cool and strain. Acidify with vinegar and take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day. Autumn leaves produce a decoction containing 1.5 times less vitamin C than spring and even summer leaves. Remember this! For the winter, you can also prepare vitamin syrup from aspen leaves.
In Russian villages, peasants noted: If your legs are cramping, placing an aspen log on your legs helps, and for headaches, placing it under your head.

Housekeeping advice: To prevent the cabbage from over-acidifying, put an aspen log in it.
According to Sedir, it is ruled by Saturn and is healing for Capricorn and Aquarius.

Treatment of hemorrhoids with aspen leaves

Hemorrhoids are a common disease characterized by varicose veins in the rectum, followed by the formation of hemorrhoids (bumps). Today, 10-15% of the world's population have signs of this disease. The occurrence of the disease is caused by a genetic predisposition, a sedentary lifestyle, severe straining due to chronic constipation, poor diet, diseases of the pelvic organs, bad habits and others. Long time the disease may be asymptomatic. Untimely treatment leads to the development of complications dangerous to human health.

Currently, there are a large number of methods for treating hemorrhoids, both in traditional medicine, and in folk remedies. The choice of treatment method depends on the stage of the disease. At the initial stages of the disease, traditional therapy methods are used. Aspen leaf for hemorrhoids is very popular.

Varicose veins rectal veins - hemorrhoids

The healing effect of aspen leaves

Aspen is a well-known species of deciduous trees growing in regions of Europe, northern Eurasia (in coniferous and deciduous forests), with a cold and temperate climate. To provide a healing effect, young shoots, foliage, bark, and buds are used. Used to treat eczema, burns, gastritis, hemorrhoids. Used as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic agent for acute respiratory viral diseases.

Treatment of hemorrhoids with aspen leaves has a positive result. They contain large quantities of carotenoids, organic acids, bioflavonoids, phenol glycosides, and vitamin C.

Aspen leaves contain carotenoids, organic acids, bioflavonoids, phenol glycosides, vitamin C

In combination, the substances contained in aspen leaves have the following effects on hemorrhoids:

anti-inflammatory. Swelling in the anorectal area decreases;
astringent. During the procedure, aspen leaves form a film on the mucous membrane, which stops bleeding and reduces pain symptoms;
antiseptic. Stops the reproduction process pathogenic bacteria in inflamed hemorrhoids;
tonic. Increases the tone and elasticity of the walls of blood vessels in the rectal area, improves blood circulation;
painkiller. The foliage of the tree helps reduce pain.

Aspen leaves can be used in the treatment of hemorrhoids both during remission (to improve the patient’s condition) and during exacerbation (to treat the external form of the disease).

Aspen leaves have anti-inflammatory effects

Cooking methods

Aspen leaf for hemorrhoids is used for oral (internal) and external use. For therapeutic activities use:

freshly picked tree leaves;
compress;
infusion;
lotions.

Compress

The easiest way to treat a disease is to collect leaves (green, medium-sized) of aspen and then rinse thoroughly and dry. Grind using a blender or meat grinder to obtain a paste. Apply the prepared mixture to the problem area for two hours. During the procedure, the person must be in a horizontal position on his stomach. After time, wash the anal area and rinse with Vaseline. As an alternative, you can use a homemade candle made from fresh (unsalted) lard.

This procedure is carried out once every two days until the hemorrhoidal cones decrease in size and the clinical manifestations of hemorrhoids disappear.

If discomfort, itching, or burning occurs, remove the compress immediately.

If discomfort, itching or burning occurs, remove the compress immediately

You can make a compress from a decoction of tree leaves. For preparation you will need 150 g of leaves. Grind it and pour 2 liters of boiling water. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes. Cover the container with a towel and leave for 3 hours, strain. Soak gauze in warm broth and apply to the affected area for 15-20 minutes twice a day.

You can wash the anus with a warm decoction in the morning and evening. It helps eliminate the inflammatory process.

Infusion

An infusion prepared from aspen leaves is taken orally. Pour 200 ml of alcohol into pre-washed and dried leaves and leave to infuse for five days. Then it must be strained. 1 tbsp. Take a spoonful of infusion with meals three times a day. Use during chronic and acute stages of the disease.

Aspen is the most common type of tree. Despite its rapid development and growth, it is quite painful. Under favorable conditions, it reaches an age of no more than 100 years. Grows in cold temperate climate on wet soil. Found in many countries in Europe and Asia.

The specific name of the tree comes from the word “to tremble” - “tremere”. Due to the peculiar structure of aspen leaves, they characteristically tremble even in light winds. The plant develops well in mixed forests.

Features of the tree

Aspen represents slender deciduous tree from the Poplar genus of the Willow family. In height, like, it can reach up to 35 meters, and the trunk diameter is 1 m. The plant is dioecious, has a sparse crown and light greenish-gray bark. Young shoots have a cylindrical, round shape; old branches have clearly visible leaf scars.

Leaf buds are bare, reach 5-10 mm, flower buds - 12-15 mm. The oval leaves are gray-green in color and have wedge-shaped endings. The long petioles are flattened on both sides and slightly curved. The leaf blade ends with jagged edges; the young plant can secrete nectar on them.

The tree reproduces by the root system, seeds and stump shoots. The tree blooms in early spring. Lush inflorescences resemble earrings in shape. Males are 10 cm long and brownish-brown or bright purple in color, females are light green. The capsules are filled with small seeds with silky white hairs.
With their help they are transported over considerable distances. Aspen plays an important role in shaping landscapes.

The base of the tree is formed by several powerful surface roots, 30-40 m long. Numerous root shoots are formed on them. With increased influx nutrients Dormant buds are awakened. The length of the offspring can range from several meters to more than 10 m. Horizontal roots can grow together with the rhizomes of other trees, forming a single system with them. You can find out what it looks like in this article.

In the first year of life of young trees, their root system is characterized by increased intensity and duration of growth. The increase per day can be about 6 cm.

The plant has increased resistance to low temperatures and is not afraid of frost. Can grow in shaded areas in soil with increased acidity and humidity. Aspen is not picky and easily sprouts from an ordinary branch. Widely used in woodworking, chemical, paper industries. In winter, the bark of young trees becomes the main source of food for many animals.

The plant is classified as a medicinal plant and is widely used in folk medicine:

Kidney-based drugs are taken orally for cystitis and joint diseases;
for gastritis, pancreatitis, diabetes and fever, decoctions from the bark are used;
an infusion based on tree ash helps with adnexitis;
ash is added to various healing ointments;
infusion of buds with alcohol helps relieve pain from hemorrhoids and dysentery;
The leaves are used to create hot poultices for rheumatism; the juice is used to treat lichen and warts.

The tree is well known in folklore; it was used to drive away evil spirits from a person and his home.. People believe that it has magical properties and is capable of absorbing negative energy.

Main varieties of aspen

There are 7 varieties and one hybrid tree in the Poplar genus. These include:

common or Eurasian;

Common aspen

trembling or American;

“Trembling”

large-toothed aspen;

“Coarse-toothed”

Chinese;

“Chinese”

Japanese;

“Japanese”

sedge or black poplar;

“Osokor”

white poplar

White poplar

There are many related species tree. These include laurel, hairy, fragrant, Maksimovich, Korean, Ussuri, Amur, balsam poplars, David's aspen and many others. Each of them differs in the structural features of the root system, the shape and shades of the crown, trunk, leaves and peduncles.

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Duration and stages of life

On average, the lifespan of aspen is from 60 to 80 years. Under favorable growth conditions, it can live up to 100, and in rare cases – 150 years.

With age, the wood of a tree loses its useful qualities. It is often affected by fungi, is prone to heart rot and becomes the target of attacks by various pests. For this reason, they are cut down at the age of 40-45.

The formation of a mature aspen tree occurs quite quickly. The first year of life is determined rapid growth seedlings. They are capable of reaching a height of up to 1 meter. The root system is actively developing, suckers grow even up to 2 m. Their leaves differ significantly from those of an adult tree. They are softer larger size and slightly pubescent.

Rapid growth of aspen is observed for 50-60 years, then it slows down significantly. Ten-year-old plants reach a height of up to 8 meters. The foliage of the tree develops first, after which the shoots grow in length and thickness. The active growth of aspen is influenced by two main factors - the amount of precipitation and air temperature.

In autumn, the tree attracts attention with its bright palette of colors. Its leaves can be yellow, fiery red or pink. It is worth noting the specific smell that appears only in aspen trees. It is reminiscent of bitter vanilla and lasts even after the leaves have fallen.

Tree care

Complete tree care consists of: making the right choice places for planting and watering. The plant is planted in the ground in the form of seedlings or seeds. Seedlings are transplanted in the spring to give them time to take root in a new location. Aspen is not picky and quickly takes root. It is planted away from residential structures, since due to the early appearance of rot in the trunk, the tree can easily collapse. The fluff during flowering causes allergic reaction for some people.

Aspen seeds

The distance between each planting hole must be at least 2 meters. Otherwise, instead of trees, the seedlings will grow into a single bush. The recesses themselves should be shallow.

It is important to have an additional drainage layer of 8-10 cm from crushed stone or pebbles. With its help, the soil will retain moisture and create favorable conditions for aspen growth.

For the full development of seedlings, it is worth ensuring:

correct choice of soil. Fresh, fertile and well-draining loamy or sandy loam soil is suitable;

regular watering of the plant. Artificial breeding Aspen requires periodic soil moisture. During dry periods, watering should be plentiful. The tree cannot tolerate dry soil;

feeding. It is applied at the stage of transplanting seedlings or planting them in the ground. Subsequent application of fertilizers is not required due to the powerful and well-developed root system. More often, mullein is used in a ratio of 1 kg per 20 liters of water and superphosphate - 20 g per the same amount of liquid;
pruning thick branches from February to April. Young branches can be cut all year round;

cutting down mature trees over 50 years old. Young shoots quickly appear around their stumps.

The soil at the site where the seedlings are planted needs additional loosening and weeding. Proper care will accelerate the growth of young aspen and its healthy development in the future.

Video

The technique for pruning and removing aspen is shown in more detail in the video below.

Preparing aspen for winter

An adult tree tolerates well low temperatures, frost. It sheds its leaves for the winter. Annual shoots freeze easily and require additional protection. IN When growing a plant at home, it is placed in a greenhouse or covered with film. If it cannot be moved into the house, then the soil is covered with a thick layer of spruce branches.

It is important to ensure high level humidity in areas where aspen grows. The soil is watered daily, without touching the plant itself with water.

Disease and pest control

Aspen is susceptible a large number fungal diseases. It can infect other nearby plants with them. Armiliaria mellea (Quell) can cause tree trunk and root rot. The fungus enters the trunk through wounds on its surface or through the passages of aspen beetle larvae. The root becomes infected through other affected rhizomes. As a result, old and too young trees wither.

Various fungi affect not only the roots, but also the trunk of aspen, its branches, leaves, fruits and seeds. They lead to the withering of the tree and the premature fall of its fruits. Diseased seedlings curl, turn black and die. To prevent the spread of rot, the affected plants are dug up and individual sections of them are cut off. Young plant seedlings can be protected with a thick layer of sphagnum peat.

The result of a tree being infected by a fungus

Aspen is also subject to a large number of attacks from various pests. These include willow moth, aspen leafminer, red-winged leaf beetle, bouquet mite, serrated corydalis and many others. They mainly affect the leaves of the plant. A common pest of seeds is the poplar catkin moth. Most insects are destroyed at the stage of formation of larvae and caterpillars by treating the wood with insecticides.

Aspen roots attract mole crickets and water rat. Destruction is carried out using special poisons. The grass around the trees should be mowed in advance.

IN winter time The bark of the plant attracts hares and moose. It becomes their main source of food. You just need to scare the animals away from the plantings.

Despite the short lifespan of aspen, it has a fairly powerful root system and develops quickly. The appearance of new shoots contributes to the growth of trees over a large area. The plant is not fussy and can be easily grown by novice gardeners. Easily affected by pests and fungal diseases, close attention to the condition of aspen is necessary. You will also be interested in our article “” and of course material about.

Despite the fact that aspen looks like a nice and harmless tree, people compare it to hydra.

The fact is that the “offspring” of aspen grow from its roots, “scattering” over a distance of 30-40 m throughout the area.

It turns out that if you cut down a tree, ten new ones will grow in its place. A real hydra.

Description of the tree

Another name for aspen is “trembling poplar.” WITH amazing property There are many legends associated with aspen trees trembling at the slightest breath of wind. One of them, the most famous, explains this phenomenon by the fact that the cross on which the Son of God Jesus Christ was crucified was made from its wood. The aspen trembles with horror, and in the fall it turns red with shame.

Aspen is found most often in forest-steppe zones, sometimes on the border of tundra and forest. You can see aspen not only in a vast area Russian Federation, but also in Europe, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and the Korean Peninsula.

Unpretentious aspen is found on the banks of ravines, reservoirs, along forest edges, in swamps, and mountains. Because of its deep root system, it can survive fires. May be spread from high speed- up to 1 m per year, occupying an area of several hectares for several years.

Aspen is considered a pioneer tree. More fastidious plants use underground tunnels left by rotted aspen roots to displace the aspen from its “habitated” place. The soil, which is enriched by aspen, also contributes to this.

Its leaves, falling to the ground, quickly decompose, turn into humus, making the soil fertile and attractive to other plants.

Useful properties

In times of famine, the bark of the tree was dried and ground into flour, which was used as baking. Taiga hunters still use crushed tree bark as a food supplement in order not to get tired and to be more resilient during long and difficult treks.

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The bark contains many healing substances: higher fatty acids, carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose, glucose), tannins, salicin, a whole range of microelements (copper, zinc, iodine, iron, etc.). A decoction of young bark has been used for a long time:

The beneficial properties of the bark are used in the complex treatment of tuberculosis, pneumonia, malaria, syphilis, dysentery, rheumatism and genitourinary diseases.

Aspen leaves do not lag behind the bark in their own way beneficial properties. They contain: vitamin C, carbohydrates, carotene, organic acids, tannins, etc. A decoction of the leaves has an antipyretic, expectorant and stimulating effect. T It is also used in folk medicine for: