In terms of species composition, temperate forests are much inferior to tropical ones. The trees of central Russia are not numerous and, it would seem, should be known to everyone. But it's not. Of course, everyone can easily recognize a birch, pine or spruce, but not everyone can distinguish an elm from a maple or be able to describe what a linden looks like. It should also be noted that some trees predominate in forests, while others predominate in cities. This article will focus mainly on forest species.
Trees of central Russia: names
The most common coniferous tree in the East European Plain is the pine. Slightly less popular is the common spruce. Sometimes there are white fir and falling larch. But the dominant position belongs to the deciduous. They grow faster than conifers and adapt more easily to environmental changes, thanks to which they take root even in large cities. According to studies carried out on the territory of the Central Russian Upland, the predominant indigenous species are English oak, heart-leaved linden and common ash. Of course, birch and aspen are found everywhere. Byvarious types of willows and black alder grow along the banks of forest rivers. In shady places there is a rough elm (it is also a mountain elm). The characteristic trees of central Russia are various maples, an ordinary mountain ash, and a forest apple tree. Decorative forms of apple trees, black and white poplar, and horse chestnut are widespread in cities.
Common ash
This tree is one of the most impressive in our forests: it reaches a height of forty meters. Ash has a straight trunk; the bark is grey-greenish. The tree prefers moist but not waterlogged soils, so it often grows along streams and rivers. Young ash trees, unlike adults, are not demanding of light. In winter, the tree is easily identified by its large black buds. The crown of the ash tree is set high, openwork, beautifully shaped. It has very recognizable leaves - long (up to 35 cm), pinnate.
In general, the leaves of the trees of central Russia are the most accessible material for identification. By analyzing their shape, determining the species is relatively easy.
Linden heart-leaved (small-leaved)
It is a fairly tall (up to 35 meters) tree. It grows on plains and foothills, often on cliffs and slopes. It takes root well in cities and therefore is often used as an alley plant. The linden has a straight trunk with a wrinkled grayish bark. The trees that grow in the clearings have powerful egg-shaped crowns. Linden is a honey plant. It blooms late, in the middle of summer. Small white-yellow flowers have a pronounced sweetish aroma and attractbees. In addition, they are medicinal.
The flowers are collected in a bunch, at the base of which there is a long leaf - a lionfish. Linden fruits are round nuts. The leaves are rounded heart-shaped, slightly reminiscent of poplar. Deciduous trees of central Russia, as a rule, do not differ in particular durability, but heart-leaved linden can live up to 800 years.
Black (sticky) alder
This tree has nothing against high humidity. It is found in river valleys and even in swamps. Alder grows up to 30 meters. Its trunk is dark, with deep "wrinkles", the wood is reddish-yellow. The leaves are rounded, with a notch opposite the stalk. Alder blossoms in the middle of spring, just during the flood. In male trees, the flowers are collected in long yellow-purple catkins. The female inflorescences are in the form of hard cones.
Black alder loves light and grows fast. This is a useful plant. Its wood is suitable for use in high humidity conditions.
Pedunculate oak
The trees of central Russia are medicinal, some of their parts are often used in medicine. The oak is no exception with its dark and very rough, but healing bark. This tall tree grows in both hills and valleys. It has knotty branches and easily recognizable leaves, which are called pinnately lobed, as they consist of several pairs of fused lobes.
Oak trees bloom in late spring. Fruitare light brown-yellow acorns (2-3 pieces on a long petiole). Oaks live for a long time, their wood is hard and does not rot. For this reason, expensive furniture "for centuries" is made from it.
Scabby elm (mountain elm)
The name of the tree is due to the abundance of longitudinal cracks on its bark. The height of the elm is 30 meters, while the plant is very slender, with a long strong trunk and a relatively wide crown. The trees of central Russia are distinguished by their unpretentiousness: for example, the rough elm gives abundant shoots both in damp lowlands and in the mountains, climbing to a height of 1000 meters above sea level and taking root on rocky steeps. Elm is demanding not so much on ambient temperature as on soil fertility. It has large, rough and not very symmetrical oblong leaves with a double-serrated edge.
The rough elm appreciates partial shade, so you will not meet it in open spaces. It blooms very early; violet-red flowers are collected in dense small bunches. By the summer, the elm fruits ripen and fall off. They are flattened nuts surrounded by two fused wide lobes.
Poplar and aspen
Almost everyone will be able to identify these plants, a guide to the trees of central Russia is unlikely to be needed here. But still, speaking of the most common plants in our country, one cannot ignore these species. By the way, not everyone knows that the second name of aspen is poplar.trembling. This tree is very undemanding to soils, but loves the sun. Aspen is rapidly capturing fresh cuttings and clearings, but its age does not exceed 90-100 years. The trunk is long and smooth, with gray-greenish bark. The crown is small, rare and located high. The leaves are almost round, with an uneven edge. The slightest breath of wind makes them tremble, which is due to the special structure of the petiole. Aspen leaves are dark green above, gray below. In autumn, they take on a rich burgundy color.
Black poplar is better known as a "cultivated" tree. It is more commonly found in towns along highways or on village streets than in forests. Poplar appreciates the sun and moisture. Under favorable conditions, the tree grows up to 40 meters. The bark is gray, rough, with longitudinal cracks. The crown is extensive. The leaves are heart-shaped.
Conclusion
So, the article briefly described the trees of central Russia, whose names are well known to everyone. Look at the photos, practice a little - and it will not be difficult to distinguish one plant from another. Fortunately, as already noted, the forest flora of the temperate climate is not so numerous.
