Ostrya

The genus Ostrya consists of 7 species of hardy deciduous trees and tall shrubs. The crown of trees is openwork, spherical. Most often grown Ostrya (carpinifolia), up to 15 m high, very decorative, widely used in landscaping everywhere. In nature, it is found in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, in most of Eastern Europe, up to Asia Minor. The straight trunk is covered with brown bark, darker in adult specimens, the young bark is smooth, then cracked, flaky. The leaves are simple, oval, pointed, with a double-toothed edge; dark green on the upper side, and lighter, pubescent on the lower side. Male staminate flowers are collected in cylindrical (hanging) catkins, appear earlier than the leaves. At the same time, female pistillate flowers bloom, collected in egg-shaped cylindrical catkins, similar to hop inflorescences. The fruit is a small ribbed single-seeded nut in a yellow hairy wrapper. Japanese Ostrya (O. japonica) - a tree with ovate or ovate-oblong leaves, velvety on the underside. It is characterized by decorative stems, also similar to the" cones " of hops. The species Ostrya virginiana (O. virginiana) differs from Ostrya vulgaris in its greater winter hardiness and, in addition, pubescent shoots. Especially beautiful is the color of autumn foliage. Ostrya virginiana has a very hard, heavy wood, it is not for nothing that it is called iron wood.

The genus Ostrya consists of 7 species of hardy deciduous trees and tall shrubs. The crown of trees is openwork, spherical.

Most often grown Ostrya (carpinifolia), up to 15 m high, very decorative, widely used in landscaping everywhere. In nature, it is found in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, in most of Eastern Europe, up to Asia Minor. The straight trunk is covered with brown bark, darker in adult specimens, the young bark is smooth, then cracked, flaky. The leaves are simple, oval, pointed, with a double-toothed edge; dark green on the upper side, and lighter, pubescent on the lower side. Male staminate flowers are collected in cylindrical (hanging) catkins, appear earlier than the leaves. At the same time, female pistillate flowers bloom, collected in egg-shaped cylindrical catkins, similar to hop inflorescences. The fruit is a small ribbed single-seeded nut in a yellow hairy wrapper.

Japanese Ostrya (O. japonica) - a tree with ovate or ovate-oblong leaves, velvety on the underside. It is characterized by decorative stems, also similar to the" cones " of hops.

The species Ostrya virginiana (O. virginiana) differs from Ostrya vulgaris in its greater winter hardiness and, in addition, pubescent shoots. Especially beautiful is the color of autumn foliage. Ostrya virginiana has a very hard, heavy wood, it is not for nothing that it is called iron wood.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Ostrya are grown as an ornamental crop in the open ground in single and small group plantings, create hedges. In nature, it grows on calcareous soils, forming a strong root system. Wind-resistant tree, able to grow on slopes in areas with a slope. Sometimes they are planted along the streets. Place on a permanent planting site in the fall (if the ground is wet and not too cold) or in the spring. There are no special requirements for the soil. When creating hedges, plants are planted in the ground at a distance of 0.5-1.0 m from each other. Adding organic ingredients is very useful fertilizers for planting at the rate of 1-2 kg per plant or 4-6 kg / m2. Pruning is only required to remove dry and damaged branches. Hedges are pruned in spring and, if necessary, in late summer. Dense Ostrya wood is used for crafts, bark-for tanning leather and obtaining paints (it contains tannins and dye).

Plants of the genus Ostrya are grown as an ornamental crop in the open ground in single and small group plantings, create hedges. In nature, it grows on calcareous soils, forming a strong root system. Wind-resistant tree, able to grow on slopes in areas with a slope. Sometimes they are planted along the streets. Place on a permanent planting site in the fall (if the ground is wet and not too cold) or in the spring. There are no special requirements for the soil. When creating hedges, plants are planted in the ground at a distance of 0.5-1.0 m from each other. Adding organic ingredients is very useful fertilizers for planting at the rate of 1-2 kg per plant or 4-6 kg / m2. Pruning is only required to remove dry and damaged branches. Hedges are pruned in spring and, if necessary, in late summer. Dense Ostrya wood is used for crafts, bark-for tanning leather and obtaining paints (it contains tannins and dye).

Location

Ostrya is a shade-tolerant plant, however, you can plant it both in the open sun and in partial shade.

Temperature

It tolerates changes in air temperature well.

Watering

It is necessary to water young plants immediately after planting in the ground and in dry and hot weather.

Reproduction

It is propagated by seeds and shoots. It is usually used to sow seeds in the open air in autumn. After germination, the seedlings are thinned out from time to time for three years as the plants develop. In spring - early summer (not later, to avoid the formation of too tender new green shoots) once every 20-30 days, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 30 g per bucket. Less often, cuttings are used, as well as grafting on hornbeam (Carpinus betulus).

Diseases

Plants of the Ostrya genus are susceptible to various forms of cancer, which are expressed in the formation of depressions and dark dry spots on the trunk and branches caused by fungi of the genera Aleurodiscus (Aleurodiscus), Nectria (Nectria), Strumella (Strumella). Treatment with copper-containing preparations helps, and the affected branches can be removed. The mushroom honeydew (Armillaria mellea) leads to rotting of the roots and weakening of the plant. Its appearance can only be prevented by using healthy planting material and uninfected soil. From leaf spot caused by fungi and powdery mildew of grapes (oidium), due to if a whitish pubescence appears on the leaves and stems, get rid of it with the help of fungicides. Aphids cause deformity of the leaf tips. It is recommended to use treatment with drugs designed to control these insects.

Acquisition

Plants of the Ostrya genus can be found in specialized nurseries and horticultural centers. Choose seedlings that are well-formed, small in size, and easier to plant in the ground.