Name: Siberian pine – Siberian pine
Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica); Siberian cedar, cedar pine; Pine family (Pinaceae); Siberian pine
Cedar, or Siberian pine, should actually be the national pride of Russia. Irrational management of forestry destroys this precious tree. In the old days, the population of Siberia established strict rules for the use of cedar forests. It was bad for those who violated them. Modern methods of harvesting cedar cones (by beating the trunks with special hammers) are unlikely to satisfy even the barbarians.
However, this is a very useful, unique tree. Apparently, its nutritional qualities are higher than those of other nut-bearing trees.
In a small essay, we will try to provide at least schematically some information about this representative of the forest kingdom. Among botanists and forest scientists, there is still no common opinion — to single out cedar as a separate species or to consider it a subspecies of Scots pine. There are arguments for and against. However, the difference between common pine and cedar is noticeable.
Siberian pine, or Siberian cedar, is a tree 40 m tall, the diameter of the trunk reaches 1.5-2 m. The crown of young trees is sharp-pyramidal, and in adults it is spreading, often with many tops. The upper branches of the crown are directed upwards. The bark of young trees and branches is ash-silver, with age it acquires a gray-brown color and becomes fissured. The needles (leaves) are longer than those of an ordinary pine, up to 5-12 cm, soft, trihedral in cross-section. In contrast to the common pine, the needles are arranged 5 in a bundle. The needles change after 3-7 years. Male anther spikelets – “flowers” are usually located in the middle part of the crown, and female cones – on the apical shoots, 2-3 each. Cedar grows slowly, fruiting in dense stands occurs only at 40-45 years, and in sparse stands – from 13-15 years. Only the upper part of the crown bears fruit. Ripe cones are oval-ovoid, 6-13 cm long, 5-8 cm wide, light brown, sometimes with a reddish tint, with tightly pressed scales and thickened shields covering the brown seeds (nuts). In total, the cone contains from 80 to 140 seeds up to 14 mm long and up to 10 mm wide. Nuts ripen only in the second year after “blooming”, in August. In September, the cones fall off. In harvest years, a large tree produces up to 1,500 cones. Siberian pine seeds are spread by chipmunks, chipmunks, sables and squirrels. Nuts ripen only in the second year after “blooming”, in August. In September, the cones fall off. In harvest years, a large tree produces up to 1,500 cones. Siberian pine seeds are spread by chipmunks, chipmunks, sables and squirrels. Nuts ripen only in the second year after “blooming”, in August. In September, the cones fall off. In harvest years, a large tree produces up to 1,500 cones. Siberian pine seeds are spread by chipmunks, chipmunks, sables and squirrels.
Siberian cedar introduced into culture; seedlings are usually planted, sometimes seedlings. The tree does not tolerate environmental pollution. Its wood is valuable, light, pinkish-yellow, resistant to decay, aromatic, with a good texture.
The seeds (nuts) containing in the purified kernel fatty volatile oil (up to 72%), proteins (up to 20%), starch (12%), fiber, vitamins B and D, micro- and macroelements are used for food. Nut cake is suitable for making halva, cakes and pastries. From freshly ground nut kernels, whipped with water using a mixer, delicious and nutritious cedar milk is prepared, and with a small amount of water, cedar cream. These dishes have long been known to the peoples of Siberia. In terms of calories, cedar cream exceeds meat and eggs.
Needles contain up to 350 mg% of vitamin C and carotene (provitamin A). Pine needles and cedar buds also contain essential oils, micro- and macroelements. The easiest way to obtain a vitamin infusion is to pour boiling water over pine cones of cedar and infuse for 2-3 hours. Another method preserves a larger amount of vitamins. Chopped needles are poured in a ratio of 1:1 with slightly acidified water (citric acid is used for this). The infusion is kept in a cold place for 2-3 days, after which it is ready for use. The population of Siberia uses infusions of cedar needles as an anti-scurvy agent.
In cedar forests, there are usually many berries – blueberries, lingonberries, blackberries; numerous fur animals live here: sable, squirrel and others. Therefore, the preservation of this valuable tree species is extremely important.