Oak has always been considered not only a valuable tree, but also a symbol of strength, power, longevity and invincibility. No wonder he was depicted on the coats of arms of the nobility, he was worshiped, among many peoples this tree was sacred and was part of cult rituals.
Mongolian oak, although it bears this name, is currently not found in this country, although it was first discovered and described there. Like other representatives of the beech family, this strong and tall tree is a frequent "guest" and decoration of parks and squares.
Mongolian oak homeland
Currently Mongolian oak is most often found in the Far East, Eastern Siberia and Asia. The beauty and becoming of this tree has made it the favorite of many cities and towns.
The distribution area of this species is very wide. Mongolian oak (photo below) is found in the southeast of Transbaikalia, in the Amur region and the Khabarovsk Territory, Primorye and Korea, the northern regions of China and Japan. It usually forms groves along river valleys and on mountain slopes, reaching up to 700 meters in height.
Pure stands are rare and only dryloam, while mixed with larch, Korean pine and cedar oaks coexist on wetter soils.
Description of the tree
Large and tall trees stand out even in a dense forest. The same can be said about the Mongolian oak. The description of this mighty handsome man should begin with his growth, usually reaching 30 m in height. Its top is crowned with a dense crown, similar to an outstretched tent, as if woven from carved elongated leathery leaves. On one tree, the length of the leaves can vary from 8 to 20 cm with a width of 7 to 15 cm.
The bark of the Mongolian oak changes throughout life as it matures, which, by oak standards, is not so long: from 200 to 400 years. It is light gray at first, but darkens with each passing year, reaching almost black in some cases.
Mongolian oak blooms in May, and by the beginning of September strong small acorns up to 2 cm long and 1.5 cm wide are already ripening.
Growing a mighty tree from such a small fruit is a real science, but for hundreds of years it will adorn a park or square.
Planting a tree
To become a truly mighty Mongolian oak, cultivation begins with the selection of a site and soil preparation. This tree does not like strong winds, excessive moisture and acidic soil. If coniferous trees are supposed to surround it, then a sufficient distance should be observed between them, since they violate the acid-base level of the earth. The best place for him will be welllighted windless area with fertile soil.
There are two ways to grow Mongolian oak. Planting, caring for a seedling is not much different, but the timing of growing up varies significantly. Propagation is by planting acorns or oak seedlings.
Before planting, he althy fruits with a dense and whole structure should be selected. It is important that the acorns are not hollow, and to check this, they must be lowered into water or shaken. If the fruit is rotten from the inside, and looks he althy on the outside, then when shaken, the dust will knock on its walls. A he althy acorn has an elastic “body” that does not make any sounds when shaken.
If planting is carried out in the fall, then care must be taken in advance to protect the seeds from frost, which they do not tolerate well. The acorn is buried to a depth of 6 cm, covered with foliage or deadwood, and on top with rubber or film to protect the seedlings from excessive moisture. If you plant in the spring, then these manipulations can be avoided, but in winter you still have to protect the young sprout from the cold.
It is safer when acorns are pre-germinated at home, then rodents will not dig them out of the ground in winter and eat them. With such a planting, Mongolian oak will give strong growth, growing and caring for it will not require much effort.
You should know: the first few years the tree grows very slowly, spending all its strength on strengthening the root system. And only after 2-3 years one can observe noticeable changes in the growth of its ground part.
Oak care
To make a tree really stately and with a spreading beautiful crown, it needs care.
- Regular weeding while young growth. It is very important that the sprout is not covered from the sun.
- Feeding should be provided in the early years of Mongolian oak, especially during the formation of the root system.
- Additional moisture should be provided to the tree in a dry summer, and mulch can be used to protect them from excess moisture in the rainy season.
- Mongolian oak is not resistant to powdery mildew, which affects not only the leaves, but also the trunk of the tree, so it should be sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate.
- By winter, thin trunks of young trees are wrapped, and the roots are insulated with leaves.
- To prevent the impact of harmful insects, such as oak barbel or leafworm, seedlings are treated with a solution of "Decis".
As a rule, Mongolian oak needs such care only at an early age, and as it grows, it can be limited to top dressing and preventive spraying.
Mongolian oak formation
In the first five years of a tree's growth, it is very important to shape its trunk. It is during this period that the development of the central conductor begins, and in order for the nutrients to reach it to the maximum, competing shoots should be pruned.
The main task of the gardener is to form the thickness of the future mighty trunk, forwhich in mid-May is carried out pinching shoots thickening. They develop along the entire length of the trunk until it reaches the required thickness, after which they are cut out.
Removal of thickening shoots is carried out sequentially: first from the lower part of the trunk, which first acquires the desired size, in the second year from the middle, and in the third year - all the remaining ones.
Crown bookmark also needs attention. As a rule, Mongolian oak is grown in nurseries for up to 20 years, after which a beautiful tree of 8 meters in height with a developed dense crown is transplanted to its permanent “residence”.
Pruning oak
Oaks have a main stem that continues to grow throughout their life. As a rule, the Mongolian oak forms one, less often two or more trunks. In order for both the crown and the stem to grow powerful, side branches are pruned every 2-3 years.
When the apical bud is removed, the upward growth of the oak slows down, which allows it to create a strong foundation and significantly develop and deepen the root system. If each time a part of the growth is removed, then an openwork crown can be formed, which will let in the sun's rays, which are so important for the underground part of the tree.
The best time for pruning is early spring, but provided that the air temperature is not lower than +5 degrees.
In an adult oak, dry or damaged branches are cut, giving space for the formation of new oneslateral processes.
Useful properties of Mongolian oak
It is not for nothing that the Mongolian oak has become sacred for many peoples. The use of its bark for medical purposes was practiced by healers and shamans in ancient times. The astringent and antibacterial properties of oak bark have been used to heal ulcers and wounds, stop internal bleeding, and treat stomach ailments. No less useful are these properties for removing toxins from fungal poisoning and inflammation in the oral cavity, such as periodontal disease.
Acorn decoction has long been used by women for douching with inflammation of the female reproductive organs. The bark of the Mongolian oak, crushed to a powder, can be brewed like coffee, and the leaves of the tree were used to pickle vegetables. No wonder oak barrels were considered the most valuable for storing wine and s alting.
Healing decoction
The most popular remedy for the treatment of inflammation and bleeding is a decoction of oak bark. To do this, 10 g of crushed raw materials are poured into a glass of boiling water, insisted for 2-3 hours, and then drunk three times a day.
