Emerald or silver, fluffy or weeping - a beautiful spruce hedge will become a real decoration of a suburban area and its reliable protection. Depending on the variety chosen and the planting method, this can be a high solid fence or a low decorative fence between areas.
Living fences made of spruce are not only very beautiful, but among the advantages are also worth highlighting:
- the ability to use for any landscape design, demarcation of the site or its protection from the street;
- high aesthetics, a wide variety of varieties with needles of many shades;
- the hedge can be made impenetrable, in terms of its protective properties it is not inferior to wooden fences, but at the same time it is more beautiful and fills the air with an amazing aroma;
- special care is not required, many species grow in one place for a long time;
- very useful phytoncides are released into the air, which makes it healthy and fresh all year round;
- a hedge protects against strong gusts of wind, it traps snow and street dust, while the air exchange in the area remains at a high level.
Landing rules
When choosing a living fence made of fir trees for your site, you must immediately decide on the name of such an original fence and the type of vegetation.
Only specially grown seedlings should be chosen. The planting material obtained at home does not retain the required decorative properties. It is recommended to buy only 4-year-old plants that tolerate transplanting well and take root quickly.
When drawing up a planting scheme, it is necessary to correctly calculate the number of plants. On average, they are planted in 1 meter increments in a single row planting. For a multi-row fence, the draft pattern can be as follows:
- the usual linear, in which individual specimens are planted in two rows opposite each other;
- checkerboard with a distance of 1 meter between individual plants and a runaway planting.
It is necessary to start work on the construction of a hedge in the fall, at this time the soil is still wet and loose, that is, optimal conditions are observed. The landing procedure includes:
- Marking is done along the perimeter of the site, the cord is pulled. A trench is dug along the markings, the depth of which should be at least 50 cm, which depends on the root system of the selected spruce variety. You also need to immediately determine the location of the holes, loosen the bottom of the trench well.
- A layer of gravel, expanded clay or broken brick is laid out on the bottom, if groundwater is very close to the surface. Then a layer of soil is poured, that is, a layer of effective drainage is formed.
- Before planting, the roots of seedlings are carefully dipped into a special clay mash, which protects them from transplanting. This is done for a short time, then the trees are planted in prepared places.
- Planting is done gradually, the root system is carefully covered with compost or peat mixture, leaving the neck at the level of the soil surface. As much as possible, it can be buried a couple of centimeters, but this is still undesirable.
- The soil is rammed, watered, and if necessary, the surface is covered with a layer of mulch from dry foliage, sawdust, peat and wood chips.
- After planting, the seedlings can be pruned, but the exact time of cutting depends on the condition of the crown and the trees themselves. If possible, it is best to wait until the spruce takes root and feels very good.
Choosing a variety for a hedge
When choosing a hedge from ordinary spruce or another variety, you must immediately decide on the purpose of the fence. For protection from the street or road, a multi-row trellis type fence is recommended, the height of which can reach 2 or more meters. Spruce is suitable for zoning or delimiting areas, the crown height of which leaves no more than one and a half meters. Single-row openwork fences with loose needles are well suited for a garden; very dense with low or medium crowns for labyrinths.
When choosing a plant variety, the spruce's ability to tolerate frequent pruning and shaping must be taken into account. Not every tree will normally tolerate a shearing to give the crown an oval, pyramidal, conical or other shape. Therefore, you should immediately consult with experienced gardeners who will help you choose seedlings according to the variety, shade and type of needles, endurance, growing conditions, the ability to tolerate a haircut.
Prickly
Thorny spruce has very beautiful blue needles, which can acquire various shades - from greenish-gray “dusty” to bluish-blue, with a slight silvery bloom. The height of such trees can reach 25 meters, but dwarf varieties are more suitable for fences. For young seedlings, conical pruning is usually used, for adults - cylindrical.
Such a variety is not very well accepted in Russia, but cultivation is still possible. Frequent crushed cone-based dressings are needed to improve soil performance and make them suitable for spruce.
Eastern
The oriental variety has small needles and a decorative appearance. This spruce is from Asia, it prefers the southern regions and does not tolerate frosty winters. For planting, the plant likes soils with high moisture and light shade. Spruce growth is slow, but in the wild, the height can reach 65 meters. The life of the plant is up to 500 years.
Sizaya
Gray, or Canadian, spruce in natural conditions grows up to 20 meters, the length of the needles is 1-2 centimeters. A feature of this variety is the color - in the upper part of the crown the needles are blue-green saturated, in the lower part - an unusual bluish-white.
For planting, the dwarf variety Albert Glob is most often used. Ball or cone shapes are used for crowning. The variety is the most unpretentious, it grows easily in almost any conditions, it can withstand severe frosts and does not require special care.
Siberian
This variety is common in Kazakhstan, Siberia, Mongolia and some regions of China. Is beautiful, tolerates winter well, grows for a long time. But young trees take root hard, they do not like swampy, sandy soils. Care is not very difficult, but at the initial stages it requires the creation of conditions for the rooting of young seedlings. In the future, there are no more problems with landings.
Purple
This beautiful variety with a purple or purple tinge of cones came from the highland forests of China. The spruce crown is dense, the needles are small and often spaced. A mature tree itself takes the shape of a cone, that is, frequent cutting is no longer necessary. The tree can reach a height of 20 meters, the seedlings are very fond of light, although they can grow in the shade. Soils - neutral, low temperatures and frost well tolerated.
Ordinary
Most often, ordinary spruce is used for hedges, which grows well in Central Russia. Plants can reach a height of 50 meters, the needles are 2.5 cm long, but in young seedlings, the needles must be protected from the bright sun.
Planting loving loamy, sandy soils, spruce grows quickly, growth - up to about half a meter per year. Trees tolerate strong frosts down to -45 ° C. However, frosts in the spring can be dangerous for planting. Common spruce tolerates frequent haircuts very well, care is generally simple.
Sanders Blue is a Canadian spruce but is relatively new. The trees are distinguished by their decorative properties, they are compact, dwarf spruce, which is very popular among landscape design specialists. The needles have a bluish-blue or bright blue hue, the growth is slow, but for such trees this is an advantage. A haircut is rarely required, the shoots are numerous and very soft, the needles are thin and fresh.
Ateers prefer sunny, open areas, but in the first years after planting in the spring and on very hot days, the crowns must be covered. Leaving is not the most difficult, but in some cases photosynthesis can begin with a dormant root system. In such a situation, the crown on the south side burns.
Care is generally unpretentious, the soil should be slightly acidic, well moistened. At very high humidity, the soil must be drained and loosened.
Froburg
Froburg Spruce is a type of weeping, upright European spruce that has an unusual straight post and weeping top. The height of the tree is small, reaching two meters, but at the same time it forms a very beautiful living fence. The crown is narrow, near the ground itself, a small expansion is formed from branches lying on the ground. This gives a very beautiful effect that is appreciated in the development of landscape design.
Spruce grows very slowly, the growth per year is only 10 cm, but this is what is valued in this variety. The needles have a beautiful greenish tint, but they are tough and short. The buds are pendulous and rather large, young ones can have an unusual greenish-purple hue. Young shoots, as they grow, begin to creep along the ground, forming an unusual, very beautiful train.
Care for the variety is simple, spruce is shade-tolerant, although it prefers illuminated areas. The soil must be well drained, preference is given to loamy and sandy loam soils. Poor growth is observed when the soil is dry or excessively moist.
Correct care
Caring for a hedge includes not only preparing, fertilizing and watering the soil, but also cutting the spruce. At first after planting, pruning is not carried out, but as the crown grows, it is necessary to give a decorative appearance.
The rules of care completely depend on the variety chosen for planting. Some ate unpretentious and did not require anything other than watering and feeding. Other varieties are sensitive to sunlight and need protection on particularly hot days. Common to all trees are the following conditions of care:
- regular watering, but without excessive waterlogging;
- loosening of the root soil;
- removal of weeds;
- prevention of diseases, for which spraying is carried out.
In the first year, a haircut is not required, as the young tree must take root and get stronger!
After planting, the soil is watered; at first, loosening is not required. Top dressing after planting is carried out only in May, the next one in September. Further, it is necessary to fertilize the spruce according to the schedule for the planted variety. In the first year, spruce pruning is not carried out, as this can harm the plants. Only sanitary pruning is allowed, that is, dry branches and damaged shoots are removed.
Pinching is carried out only after the spruce gets stronger, this will make the crown more lush. Annual and apical shoots can be shortened in May or early years; for this, the branches are cut by about a third. This makes it possible to slow down the growth of the plant and form a beautiful crown of the desired shape. Such a bookmark ensures active growth in the next year, while the crown will develop exactly as planned. The pinching is carried out until the spruces acquire the desired density and density.
A haircut requires special attention when caring for a hedge. You can do this yourself, the pruning period is April. The shape of the spruce can be given to any shape, it all depends on the ort of the tree, the characteristics of its crown, and can withstand a haircut. When pruning, gaps should not be left, as they overgrow for a long time, and the hedge itself acquires an unkempt appearance. A haircut provokes a rapid growth of shoots, if this is not required, then the pruning time should be postponed from April to the end of June.
Spruce hedges are distinguished by their high aesthetics. This is a thick, beautiful fence that makes the air fresh and fills it with pine needles at any time of the year. For planting, you can use various varieties that have a variety of shades of needles - from green to unusual white or even blue. Planting care is simple, many varieties of spruce do not require special measures or frequent cutting. Some types of plants do not lend themselves to decorative pruning at all, only sanitary pruning is needed in order to achieve the necessary density and beauty of young shoots.
The desire to ennoble your home is a completely understandable desire inherent in most people on the planet. This is especially true for owners of private houses, who have much more room for action than urban residents. In addition to decorating the house itself, they can equip a personal plot by decorating it with extensions, original fences and various shrubs.
In particular, the spruce hedge, which replaces the usual wooden fence, is becoming more and more popular, looking much more impressive. We will talk about all the nuances of planting and further care in today's article.
Pros and cons
A variety of shrubs and plants can be used as a natural hedge, but it is the spruce option that looks one of the most preferable.
There are several reasons for this:
- Spruce - this is an evergreen tree, so a spruce fence will delight you with its bright color not only in summer, but also in winter.
- We ate a lot of varieties, so you can choose the appropriate option to your taste. In addition, some varieties are distinguished by very beautiful flowering, which will be an additional decoration for your home.
- After planting spruce, it grows quickly enough, which gives a single and impenetrable structure of plantings. Thus, the fence is a protection not only from prying eyes, but also from strangers, snow and wind.
- Ate grows naturally, i.e. they do not need to be looked after too much.
- Live spruce emit special substances - phytoncides, which have a beneficial effect on the human body.
It may also be useful for you to learn about what material is best for making it.
The video shows what a spruce hedge looks like:
Naturally, it was not without certain disadvantages of such a living fence. The following can be distinguished:
- Despite the fact that they are quite unpretentious to maintain, you still have to trim and trim them to make their appearance more aesthetic. This is not a complete disadvantage, but for some people this withdrawal can be somewhat cumbersome.
- For a spruce hedge to take on a good-looking appearance, a certain period of time must pass. Therefore, if you are counting on quick results, then this option is not for you.
There is one more important nuance. Fir trees grow quite densely, especially from the south side, so the hedge can overshadow several meters of the site. That is why, many recommend planting spruce from the north side, unless of course the density of the plantings is the original idea.
But what bushes for hedges are the best and most often used are detailed.
Variety selection
Before you start planting seedlings, you need to decide on a certain type of spruce, of which there are a sufficient number. All of them differ in different heights, colors, as well as the specifics of their care. If we consider the choice of spruce trees specifically for the purpose of creating a natural hedge, then the main selection criterion is precisely the height of the trees.
Among the most common options used in hedges is. There are certain decorative varieties that are best suited for planting in gardens and plots. For the hedge, you need to select varieties of trees, the height of which does not exceed two meters, so that the natural fence does not turn into an impassable thicket. But what are they and how to plant them for a hedge, you can read in this article.
It looks like an ordinary spruce
The most preferred variety is Barry, the height of which does not exceed two meters. The trees of this variety have some contrast - the old branches look darker, and the young shoots have a light green tint. 
If you want to make the hedge even lower, then this is perfect for these purposes. grade Ehiniformiswhich does not exceed 400 cm in height. The variety is distinguished by a spherical crown shape, as well as a bright light green shade. It will also be interesting to see how it looks 
Landing rules
The first rule to consider is the fact that only seedlings are suitable for growing a full-fledged hedge. The fact is that if, for example, pronounced trees will not retain their decorative properties. That is why, the best option is four-year-old seedlings, or mature trees.
If we consider the opinion of experts, then they advise making a choice in favor of seedlings. This is explained by the fact that the seedlings take root better, and also grow more intensively after planting. The cost also plays an important role, because young growth costs much less. But what are the rules for planting hawthorn for hedges and how effective this plant looks, you can see in the photo
The video shows how to plant a spruce hedge:
Planting seedlings should be done in autumn when the soil is moist enough. The planting process is as follows:
- First you need to do the markup. Determine the boundary of the future hedge, and then stretch the fishing line or cord.
- Along the entire length of the fence, you need to dig a trench about 50 cm deep. The width is determined individually, depending on the width of the seedlings themselves.
- Additionally, you can equip a drainage system. The bottom deepens by another 20 cm, after which it is covered with crushed stone or gravel.
This is what hedge drainage looks like
- Further, this layer is covered with earth, which remained after digging a trench.
- We make a certain amount of talkers by mixing clay with water. We will dip our seedlings into it for further planting. This is necessary in order to prevent drying out of the root system.
- The bottom of the trench needs to be slightly moistened, after which we place our seedlings there. Make sure that the roots are about the same length, so too long branches must be removed.
- Depending on which method you choose - single-row or double-row, the spacing between seedlings will differ. If one row is planned, then the distance between the trees should be about one meter. If the hedge is two-row, then the interval between the seedlings is 80 cm, and they need to be planted in a checkerboard pattern. In this case, the width of the trench should be one meter.
Double row view of hedge
- Next, you need to fill the bottom of the planted seedlings with compost, or use peat for these purposes. Make sure that the roots of the seedlings are completely submerged in the soil.
- Next, we ram the place of our planting, slightly moistening the soil. Next, sprinkle a certain amount of peat, after which we mulch along with the earth.
At this stage, the process of planting fir trees can be considered complete. Then the seedlings will grow at their normal pace, but this does not mean that you should not take any action on maintenance and pruning. Next, we will talk about how exactly such care is carried out, what you need to pay attention to, and also describe some of the nuances.
How to care for seedlings?
If we consider the spruce hedge from the point of view of the difficulties of care, then there are not so many of them. The only thing that should not be forgotten in any case is the timely watering of the seedlings. This is especially true in the summer season, when dry weather can result from the falling of the needles of the trees. But what street pots for trees look like and what they are for, you can learn from 
In addition, you need to regularly loosen the soil at the base of the trees, which is necessary to get rid of various weeds. If you want your seedlings to grow at a faster pace, you can use different kinds of feeding. They are intended specifically for conifers, and you can buy them in specialized stores.
Top dressing is carried out twice a year - in spring and autumn. Spring feeding is carried out in the first decade of May, and autumn - in the first decade of September. As for pruning branches, in the first 12 months after planting, it is better not to disturb the trees in any way. Pruning is only allowed if dried out cuttings need to be removed.
When the trees are formed, the grooming becomes more significant. In particular, it is necessary to use nitrogen fertilizers for feeding, which is carried out in the last days of June.
You may also find it helpful to know how it looks and how it can be planted.
Separately, I would like to talk about pinching, i.e. pruning tree branches. It is carried out after about two years from the date of planting of seedlings. You need to prune in May or June, pinching the side shoots and the top. Side branches are cut in half or in a third. As for the top, you do not need to cut too much so that the tree can reach the desired height faster.
The video shows how to care for a hedge:
Pruning is also done to shape the trees according to your wishes. In the future, you will have to regularly cut the fir trees so that the chosen shape does not change and does not overgrow. The clipping is carried out with ordinary garden shears from April 1st until the end of the month.
Planting fir trees to create a natural vegetable hedge is a profitable design solution that allows you to significantly transform your garden plot. If we consider this option from the financial point of view, then it is also quite profitable, because young seedlings do not cost so much.
You may also find it useful to know how it looks and how to make it.
Of course, further care will require some responsibility and patience from you, because you will have to regularly cut and water the trees. By the way, watering should be plentiful enough, so at least one bucket of water should fall on one tree. But all these worries are familiar to a rural person, so they should not cause any special difficulties. As a result, you will get a very beautiful, green monolithic hedge of fir trees, which will be important not only from an aesthetic, but also from a practical point of view. Learn about the hedge from the bladder by.
A spruce hedge can become an original decoration of a summer cottage. You can plant the plants yourself, without resorting to the services of a gardener. It is very easy to take care of the hedge, which is what caused its high popularity among gardeners.
Fir trees can be planted both to create single plantings and to obtain solid hedges. The height of trees is different, and if you need to make a fence, it is better to give preference to undersized plant species. A tree is perfect, it is unpretentious.
Carefully choose a place for a hedge. It is best to plant spruce trees on the north side, then the site will not be shaded. This will create protection from the wind, increase snow retention in winter.
Advantages of a hedge
Why is it worth making a hedge of fir trees, because they grow long enough? There are several reasons, the following can be distinguished:
- The color of the trees is rich and fresh. Regardless of the season, there will be an evergreen fence on the site.
- Even in severe frost, the grounds, framed by such a hedge, look beautiful.
- It will not be difficult to buy seedlings. Garden shops offer quality planting material.
- A hedge can be grown in a few years. These trees are great for harsh climates. At the same time, you do not have to insulate the seedlings, they will even endure severe frost.
- The fence will protect the space around the house not only from the prying eyes of strangers, but also from noise. In addition, a hedge made of fir trees will prevent dust from entering.
Such a fence will serve for decades, becoming more beautiful from year to year. It does not have to be updated, you should only look after the plants. Since the spruce is a shade-tolerant plant, the fence can be made on the shady side of the summer cottage.
What types of trees should you buy for a hedge? You should choose based on your own preferences. There are many varieties of spruce, and the needles of trees are not always green in color. There are plants with golden needles. Blue spruces look very impressive. The needles with a yellowish tint look beautiful.
If you mix seedlings or plant them according to the scheme, moving from one variety to another, you can get an amazingly beautiful hedge. But it should be remembered that the common spruce hedge requires maintenance.
Among the varieties that gardeners use to form green fences include purple and Siberian spruce. Gardeners prefer gray and thorny spruces. They love these plants because trees allow them to create original hedges.
How to choose seedlings
Before choosing plants for the future fence, you need to determine its height, purpose and location. A fence made of plants, which looks like a trellis fence, is planted in 1 or more rows. Such a living fence will have a dense structure, reaching a height of 2 m. As a rule, such a fence is planted along the border of the garden, covering the sides.
For zoning the territory, you can make low fences up to 1.5 m. They can be openwork, not very dense.
When choosing varieties, their ability to tolerate pruning must be taken into account. You can shape spruce trees with your own hands, creating fences of different types. Plants can be given a square or oval shape, trapezoidal and triangular hedges look spectacular.
When buying planting material, you need to look at what an adult plant looks like. To create green fences, gardeners prefer ordinary spruce. Many decorative varieties of this species are sold in stores and nurseries. You can choose plants of different heights, you need to pay attention to the shade of the needles and the appearance.
Spruce lives up to 300 years, every year the tree grows by 50 cm, in width it adds from 10 to 15 cm. Having reached the age of 10-15 years, the plant slows down its growth. Spruce tolerates shade well, so it can be planted near high fences, buildings or other shaded areas.
It must be remembered that young Christmas trees can get burned from direct sunlight. The tree prefers acidic soil, grows well on loam and sandy soils. Common spruce does not tolerate moisture stagnation; excessive soil salinity is destructive for it. Strong drying out of the earth should be avoided.
How to make landings
If there is a desire to grow spruce from seeds, then you should not waste time on this. It will not work to get planting seeds with the desired decorative properties. Therefore, it is better to immediately purchase seedlings or buy small trees.
There are several landing options, it is worth listing the following:
- Chess order. The seedlings are at a distance of 1 m, the plants are offset from each other.
- Linear method. Fir-trees are planted in a row, when planting in 2 rows, the plants are placed opposite each other.
Spruces should be planted in the fall when the soil is still fairly loose. The ground must be moist. The procedure is carried out as follows:
- A cord is pulled along the selected area. This is necessary so that the future hedge is even.
- Dig a trench to a depth of 50 cm, the width is determined by the size of the root system of the trees. The bottom must be well loosened. If the groundwater comes close enough to the surface, the trench is made deeper, and drainage is poured to the very bottom. It can be made of broken brick, gravel or expanded clay can also be used. Drainage is covered with earth that was previously raised from the trench.
- Make a chatterbox out of clay. Before planting, the roots of the seedlings are dipped into the mixture, so the root system does not dry out. After that, the trees are placed in a trench, carefully straightening the roots. The soil should be slightly damp.
- The trees are covered with peat; compost can also be used. It is necessary to ensure that the root collar of the seedlings is at the same level with the ground. It can be deepened by 2 cm.
- The soil around the Christmas trees should be tamped down, and then watered well. To make mulching, it can be done using sawdust or peat. In addition, gardeners use grated bark or wood chips for these purposes.
Newly planted trees do not require much maintenance, but you need to ensure the plants are regularly watered. Remove weeds in time, loosen the soil at the roots. These are the main stages of leaving.
Spruce is unpretentious, so you don't have to spend a lot of time caring for a green hedge. But to achieve a great appearance, do not forget about feeding. The first time the plants are fed in early May, the second time microelements are introduced into the soil in September. It is best to buy a ready-made fertilizer designed for conifers. Do not forget about prevention, protect plants from pests. It is necessary to process ate with special preparations.
Immediately after planting plants, you should not engage in their formation. They must have enough time to take root. The extra load will hurt. Only sanitary pruning can be done if there are prerequisites for this.
When the trees grow up, you will have to allocate more time to care for them. At the end of June, it is worth introducing additional fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers.
Pinching small twigs is allowed only after the trees grow up. This is required in order for the crown to be thicker. The apical shoots are shortened in May or June. It is worth doing the same with annual shoots.
In order to give the side branches the desired shape, they can be cut to 1/3 or even 1/2 of the length. The tops should be trimmed only if the trees have reached the planned height. This procedure stops the growth of fir trees this year, but thanks to it new buds appear. Of these, next year new shoots will appear, the plant will bush.
The trees should be pinched until the green fence acquires the desired density. The procedure is performed every year. When pinching twigs, consider the shape of the hedge.
Conclusion
There are many advantages of a green fence, but first of all it is worth mentioning its spectacular appearance. Plus, there are many other practical points. Since many gardeners dream of isolating themselves from their neighbors, but do not want to build an impenetrable fence, a spruce fence is an excellent option. Such a hedge looks completely natural.
Gives the site a special appeal. The green wall, created from plants with a branchy dense crown, is especially good. It is such a fence that can be obtained from coniferous trees and, first of all, from spruce.
This slow-growing evergreen plant, living for two hundred years and capable of reaching a height of 50 meters, will reliably hide the garden and buildings from prying eyes, mark the boundaries of various zones, save the inhabitants of the cottage from noise, dust, wind, protect against snow drifts, and saturate the air with useful substances.
And most importantly, spruce has the ability to create a cozy microclimate and be an excellent background for flower beds and decorative plantings. Sometimes gardeners are faced with a choice: which tree would be more appropriate - spruce or pine?
Pine will also give a peculiar beauty to the fence, but, unlike spruce, it does not tolerate pruning well, which means that it will not be possible to give it the desired shape.
What spruce to prefer for a live fence
Despite the fact that there are many species of this coniferous plant in the world, landscape design most often uses only a few of them. In city parks, squares, you can find eastern, gray, Siberian, Canadian spruce.
The prickly spruce looks especially noble - the bluish color of the needles invariably attracts attention with its unusualness.
By the way, spruce needles are not always pure green in color: there are spruces with needles not only blue, but also golden and yellowish. Planted in a specific order, these "mixed conifers" trees can create a stunning composition.
And yet, along the fence of the summer cottage, as a rule, ordinary spruce is planted. And it's not just the affordable cost (in nurseries, such a spruce has a different price - from 290 rubles to 2 thousand, and other varieties are estimated much more expensive - up to 10 thousand rubles).
In central Russia, this is a coniferous tree adapted to local conditions, which pleases with rich greenery in any season, always looks strict and solemn.
You get a beautiful spruce hedge if you buy five small seedlings of dwarf or any other kind of ordinary spruce. They are sold in nurseries, in gardening stores
But why buy? After all, it is quite possible to find suitable strong young trees in forest clearings, not far from the dacha. A very optimal option in every sense. Nature itself will participate in the creation of a hedge.
Ate will serve as a natural fence for decades without needing to be updated and at the same time becoming more magnificent and more beautiful.
It is best to start this work in central Russia in late spring or mid-autumn.
How to plant correctly:
- For a hedge, you need to choose 3-4-year-old seedlings in a nursery or dig in the forest, they will take root in a new place much easier than adult trees. It is advisable to dig up young trees when the soil is moist enough, even slurry.
- The fir trees should be removed so that at least a small amount of damp earth remains on the roots. Wrap the roots with foil or burlap so that the roots do not dry out.
- Without wasting time, along the fence you need to outline a planting line and dig a 20-centimeter deep trench. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the trench and mix with peat and sand.
- Most often, fir trees are planted in fences in two rows, while the distance between them is about one and a half meters, and between the rows - 50 cm.
The gardener should know that seedlings have a superficial root system, and it does not tolerate overdrying. Therefore, the ground around the trees must be well watered and slightly compacted.
Planting care
Having planted young trees, you need to take care of them for some time:
- watering every other day, then the needles will not turn yellow and crumble;
- if weeds begin to sprout around the trees, they need to be constantly weeded out;
- it happens that after a while the seedlings become sickly. This means that nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers should be added to the soil (for one square meter - 50 g);
- if you deprive the new planting of all care, they will begin to stretch upward, the needles from the lower branches will crumble.
Spruce hedges are not very demanding, they do well in partial shade. However, without regular haircuts, the hedge quickly takes on a neglected look, which is difficult, and sometimes impossible to fix.
That is why pruning is so necessary to keep the needles on the tree green and healthy.
In July, the growth of young shoots ends, this is the time to start cutting. First, remove a third of the increment. And when the trees reach the desired height, you can cut more - 3 centimeters higher than the first haircut. At the same time, remove the shoots sticking out in different directions.
It is undesirable to prune branches older than three years, as they then grow more slowly.
It is recommended to cut it annually if the apical shoots, more than 5 centimeters in diameter, have grown 20-25 centimeters. 
At the same time, the branches should be given an inclined position, so the hedge will gradually take on the desired shape: at the bottom it will be wider and eventually take on the form of a trapezoid.
Winter pruning of fir trees is also practiced. Annual increments are also cut by one third. A 2-3 meter green fence is supported.
Unfortunately, spruce often suffers from garden pests. A hedge can be deprived of beauty and health by spruce leaf rollers, caterpillars, aphids, spider mites. The condition of the needles deteriorates sharply, its juicy greens fade.
The matter may come to the death of plants. To prevent this from happening, at the first signs of trouble, you need to spray the trees with special preparations.
Spruce - the queen of decorative fences - will be more magnificent if buds are removed from the tips of the branches in the spring.
A live coniferous fence will become even more attractive with constant lateral pruning. It is important to do this very carefully without touching the main branches.
At the end of the article, you can watch a video about spruce hedges
And the smooth, graceful curves of natural plants.
An example of a landscape made from natural plants
Experts can name more than a dozen plants that can be an excellent choice for creating a hedge. The resulting hedges differ in appearance, density, and a number of other parameters. But one of the most popular options is the spruce hedge.
Many owners of private houses prefer to enclose their site with plantings from this particular plant, and not from juniper, hawthorn and other plants. What is the reason for such popularity of the trees familiar to everyone from childhood? This issue should be dealt with as carefully as possible. Only then will you be able to pick up those hedge plants that will never disappoint you.
It should be said right away that spruce is an excellent choice for forming a luxurious hedge. It has a number of advantages that are highly appreciated by both experienced professionals and ordinary land owners.
Spruce hedge Such a fence is of unusual beauty. The dense, rich green growth will add a special elegance and sophistication to any area. The branches are quite dense, and if you cut off the top at the very beginning of the development of the tree, then the growth will go in breadth, and you will get a particularly dense fence, which will surely please even the most picky critics.
Regular haircuts will allow you to create a neat, short, but very dense hedge.
But if you don't want to waste extra time on grooming, or simply prefer the natural, natural beauty of plants, then you can leave the spruce to grow without pruning and trimming. Then you will get a series of luxurious, tall and elegant trees growing around the perimeter of your site. One of the main advantages of spruce is the fact that it retains its beautiful appearance all year round.
Therefore, it is she who is recommended to be used for planting on plots with private houses, the owners of which prefer to live in them not only in summer, but also in the cold season. The dense dark green growth perfectly sets off the whiteness of the snow. What else can the owner of such a site dream of?
Ate, being perennial plants, will stretch and stretch every year: every year they add from 20 to 40 centimeters, depending on the climate, moisture and soil composition. So in a few years you can become the owner of a fence 2-3 meters high. However, if this seems excessive to you, then you can always cut off the top, thereby stopping the growth of the plant upward. And every year the spruce hedge becomes more and more attractive.
You can easily choose exactly the option of a fence that will satisfy your requirements: both a curb, about 40-60 centimeters high, and a living wall, the height of which reaches 1.5-2 meters.
Many owners appreciate the hedge for its density, because it reliably protects from dust and noise from the street. Therefore, spruce fences are especially relevant for sites located in the immediate vicinity of roads.
In the winter season, thick spruce paws are capable of efficiently performing the function of snow retention. This prevents the wind from bringing additional snow to your area, which means you don't have to go out into the yard with a shovel to clear the paths.
Of course, some care should be taken when planting spruce. In too hot climates, the spruce does not feel very comfortable: it needs regular watering, and even so it can turn yellow and crumble. However, in most regions of our country, this tree feels very comfortable.
Mature spruce tree In addition, it is worth remembering that spruce has a shallow, but very large root system.
So do not plant fruit shrubs or trees in the immediate vicinity of a hedge, or break flower beds: the roots of spruces will not allow them to receive the required amount of nutrients from the soil, thereby significantly inhibiting their development and growth.
It is better to make a strip of at least 1-1.5 meters from the lawn, and only then plant those plants that you would like to see on your site.
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What you need to know about hedge maintenance
Having decided to acquire an ordinary spruce hedge, it is worthwhile to find out more in advance about how it is necessary to care for it. Otherwise, the plant can present you with many unpleasant surprises.
To begin with, spruce grows in temperate climates with heavy rainfall on a regular basis. Therefore, if the place where you planted the hedges does not receive at least one heavy rain per week, you will have to compensate for the lack of moisture with regular watering.
In addition, you will have to restrain the growth of trees. If the spruce grows by itself, then over time it can reach a height of 10, 15 and even 20 meters. Do you need a real spruce forest on? Of course, pleasant greenery, fresh air, rich in oxygen - all this is very pleasant. But neither you nor your neighbors will love the fact that the hedge, turned into a forest, covers almost the entire area with shadow for half a day. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to carry out regular processing of trees.
For example, if you have chosen a tight fit, you can trim the top and side branches to create a pre-selected hedge shape. If the planting is not too dense, does not allow you to form a uniform hedge, then you can simply remove the buds from the branches. It is better to do this in the spring. Then the tree will not exceed the height that suits you. If you missed the time and did not manage to remove the buds in time, then it is better to remove the young branches with pruners: the tree is less injured.
In general, in the first few years (up to 7-9 years), you can hardly take care of the spruce. Young growth already looks very neat and compact. However, after this period, the hedges need serious care. She begins to grow rapidly, quickly transforming from low dense and dense bushes into huge trees. It is very important to capture this moment in order to prevent such a transformation. And here, as mentioned above, you can prevent overgrowth in various ways.
Very tall spruce Pruning is best done in the spring (April-May). At this time, active growth of all plants begins, and you can be sure that bald spots will not appear in the crown of a young spruce, spoiling the entire appearance of the hedge. Young branches grow quickly, thanks to which fresh greens will cover the cut site. If any of the branches have few needles, are dry, or simply do not seem healthy enough to you, they should be mercilessly removed.
Growing spruce from seeds
The easiest way to get a luxurious spruce hedge is to plant seeds in prepared soil. Around February-March, walk through the forest where the fir trees grow. Collect a few dozen buds. At home, gut them, separate the seeds from the husks, and plant in pots or boxes. In 3-4 months, some of the seeds will germinate, and you will get young shoots.
Sprouts of growing spruce from seeds In May-June, having arrived at the dacha or in your country house, you can start planting in the ground. Prepare the landing site in advance - the earth here must be carefully dug up and loosened. Water it well. Only then proceed directly to planting. After planting Christmas trees, shade them: powerful direct rays of the sun can dry them out before the frail root system can provide the plants with the necessary flow of moisture and nutrients.
In the first months of life, very carefully protect young Christmas trees from weeds - remove them at least once a week.
Otherwise, the growth of harmful plants may well crush the Christmas trees, not allowing them to receive either the required amount of moisture and nutrients, or the sun. However, the future hedge should be weeded as carefully as possible so as not to pull out young Christmas trees along with the weeds by mistake.