Fir tree of Nordmann
See also: Nordmann
The Sapin of Nordmann ( Abies nordmanniana ) is a Arbre of the family of the Pinacées originating in the the Caucasus.
Other common nouns: fir tree of the Caucasus, fir tree of the Crimea.
Its specific name points out that of Alexander von Nordmann, botanist Finnish which discovered this tree in the Caucasus (in Georgia) whereas he taught the natural history with Odessa (Ukraine).
Description
The fir tree of Nordmann is a large tree, with the right trunk and the very spread out low branches, being able to reach more than 60 m in height in a natural state. The diameter of the trunk can reach 2 meters. In culture, it generally does not exceed the 30 m in height. Its growth is very slow. Its bark is gray brown and smooth. It wrinkles on the old trees.It is a species very close to the pectinate Sapin from which it differs only by some secondary characters:
- the sheets in the shape of needles punts, dark green, brilliant, also marked by two clear bands of Stoma S with their lower face, are a little longer (2 to 3,5 cm length for 2 mm broad). These needles have their truncated end.
- the round shape of the branches due to the provision of the needles,
- the cones cylindrical, brown-reddish, have 10 to 20 cm length on 4 to 5 cm in diameter, but are rounded more. Like those of the pectinate fir tree, they are set up and disintegrate with maturity on the tree by releasing winged seeds
- the seeds are a little larger.
Characteristics
- reproductive Bodies
- Standard d'" inflorescence" : cone
- Distribution of the sexes: monoïque
- Standard of pollination: anémogame
- Period of flowering: standard April
- Seed
- of fructification: cone
- Mode of dissemination: anémochore
- Habitat and standard distribution
- Habitat: wood caducifoliés médioeuropéens
- Surface of distribution: introduced (the Caucasus)
Distribution
This species is originating in the moderate areas of Western Asia: area of the the Caucasus: Georgia, Russia (Ciscaucasie)…), Arménie, like in the south and the north of the Black Sea: Turkey, the Crimea.The fir tree of Nordmann grows in forests of mountain at altitudes ranging between 1000 and 2000 meters, under a climate of the continental type relatively wet (annual precipitations higher than 1000 mm).
It was introduced in Europe since the middle of the 19th century. It is Alexander von Nordmann which forwarded some first seeds in 1838.
Use
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Gasoline of Afforestation employed for its rusticity: less sensitivity to the late frosts because of its late development, resistance to the dryness.
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Tree ornamental appreciated in the public parks and the large gardens for its port more decorative than that of the pectinate fir tree.
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This species nowadays is very much used for the production of Christmas trees because contrary to the spruce, exposed to heat in the residences, it does not lose its needles too quickly. Moreover those are less prickly.
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Wood: its Wood white, relatively knotty, is used in the field of construction like for the production of Pulp paper.
Close species and under species
- Subspecies:
- Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach subsp. equi-trojani (Asch. & Sint. ex Boiss.) Coode & Cullen. (synonyms: Abies bornmuelleriana Mattf., Abies equi-trojani (Asch. & Sint. ex Boiss.), the fir tree of Turkey, originating in the coasts of the Black Sea in Turkey. Is characterized by its glabrous branches.
- Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach subsp. nordmanniana , the fir tree of the Caucasus, with the pubescent branches.
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Abies X insignis Career ex Bailly, crossing of the fir tree of Nordmann with Pinsapo ( Abies pinsapo ).
- Abies alba Millet., the pectinate Fir tree
External bonds