This long-lived variety of conifers is not uncommon in the Carpathians. Some specimens reach the age of 300-400 years with a trunk diameter of 1.5 meters. Approximately 40% of forest vegetation is smereki, growing mainly in this region.
What is smereka? The answer to this question can be found in this article.
Spruce forests of the Carpathians
The main part of the trees in the Carpathians are conifers, but Smereka is the most noticeable and majestic of them. More than 60 percent of the forest area is occupied by coniferous dark green lush forests with these amazing trees.
The places where the Smerka tree grows in the Carpathians are the territories of the mountain slopes, starting from the heights above sea level in the range of 800-900 meters, and then they spread up to almost 1700 meters. This plant does not particularly need strong light, it is quite resistant to almost all types of climatic conditions, but does not like excessive heat and dryness.
Spruce forests of the Carpathians create not only picturesque landscapes, but also a wonderful microclimate. They purify the air, make ithealing. The aromas of the spruce forest have a calming effect on the body. The healing properties of the forests where smereka grows are confirmed by medical research.
General information about the plant
The smereka tree is a rather rare variety among numerous coniferous plants.
This is one of the varieties of the Christmas tree, which is the indigenous vegetation of the Carpathians. An amazingly beautiful tree kills all microbes around it. This long-lived plant, under favorable conditions, reaches a height of 50 meters. Among the old specimens, one can find giant trees along the girth of the trunk (diameter - 1.5 m) about 300-400 years old. Spruce needs to grow for about 100 years to reach a height of 35 meters.
Decorative forms of the plant are widely used for landscaping settlements.
Smereka is a fairly unpretentious tree, easily tolerating even significant shading, high humidity, and some waterlogging of the soil. In dry weather, its branches droop, and rise before rain and on wet days. This tree can grow even in rocky cracks, feels great in the shade of bushes and deciduous trees, but in the process of growth it drowns them out.
Smereka wood
Smereka wood has long been considered a good building material for building houses and other structures. It is used to make trembita (musical wind instrument) and other musical equipment. best for thisa tree is considered to have been damaged by lightning.
What is smereka in terms of wood? On the world market, this material is in greater demand than pine wood. Smereka, when used in construction, has a number of advantages in terms of warmth, color, as well as the features of the house in terms of design. The wood of this plant has strength, elasticity, the ability to retain heat well and frost resistance. It is easy to process, has low sound and thermal conductivity, as well as sufficient heat capacity. The texture, color and peculiar aroma make this wood an indispensable material in the construction of environmentally friendly and warm housing.
Houses built from it emit a light invigorating aroma that improves lung function and sleep, as well as normalizes blood pressure and increases efficiency.
Application
The good healing properties of smereka have been known for a long time. What is in it that makes it so useful? The needles of the plant contain vitamin C and essential oil. In folk medicine, it is used to heal wounds. There is a belief in Ukraine that if you touch the twilight, you can become strong and he althy for life.
Resin, resin, tar and wood vinegar have long been extracted from this plant. Its wood is also used in the manufacture of paper.
In conclusion
What is smereka? This is a spruce, which, like other coniferous plants, absorbs all kinds of pollution emitted by variousindustrial production and automobiles into the air. Just one hectare of coniferous forests per year can absorb up to one ton of harmful gases, about 35 tons of dust and purify the air with a volume of 18,000,000 cubic meters!
These figures are the result of scientific research.
