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Posted on 7:59 AM by Wanto and filed under
By Kimberly Benson
Every plant on Earth occurs in a certain region that can be marked out on a map. This region is termed its area of natural distribution. Knowledge of these areas is of great importance, because the woody plant grows for hundreds, and even thousands, of years in the given area, and is adapted to the climatic conditions of the locality, thus making it possible to determine whether it prefers a coastal or inland, lowland or alpine climate. The study of other data reveals what temperatures it is able to withstand in winter, as well as its soil and moisture requirements.
In the individual parts of its range, where it is exposed to varying conditions, the woody plant varies in appearance as well as in certain other characteristics. This is especially true of species with a wide area of distribution, where one will find several local races, called ecotypes.
In Europe, such obstacles are the Alps and Carpathians, which blocked the further northward spread of the Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), and Turkey oak ( Quercus cerris). These would otherwise have found favourable conditions in the warm Rhineland and other regions north of the Alps.
Pines from the lower, dry elevations of central Europe, on the other hand, have broad crowns to shade their site as much as possible. Similarly, mountain spruces growing at high elevations, or in cold valleys, have slender, narrow crowns.
The main reasons for the introduction of new trees from other regions or continents is for their fruit, to increase the yield of timber, or to enrich the assortment of ornamentals. The introduction of new plants dates from long ago; its beginnings can be traced to the cultured peoples of ancient times, who concentrated primarily on the introduction of fruit trees that were important as a source of food.
Today, however, its production is greatly limited. The attractive, fragrant flowers of this tree make it a popular ornamental in parks.
In the individual parts of its range, where it is exposed to varying conditions, the woody plant varies in appearance as well as in certain other characteristics. This is especially true of species with a wide area of distribution, where one will find several local races, called ecotypes.
In Europe, such obstacles are the Alps and Carpathians, which blocked the further northward spread of the Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), and Turkey oak ( Quercus cerris). These would otherwise have found favourable conditions in the warm Rhineland and other regions north of the Alps.
Pines from the lower, dry elevations of central Europe, on the other hand, have broad crowns to shade their site as much as possible. Similarly, mountain spruces growing at high elevations, or in cold valleys, have slender, narrow crowns.
The main reasons for the introduction of new trees from other regions or continents is for their fruit, to increase the yield of timber, or to enrich the assortment of ornamentals. The introduction of new plants dates from long ago; its beginnings can be traced to the cultured peoples of ancient times, who concentrated primarily on the introduction of fruit trees that were important as a source of food.
Today, however, its production is greatly limited. The attractive, fragrant flowers of this tree make it a popular ornamental in parks.
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One garden planning tip is that slatted wooden stagings are necessary for standing plant containers on in the garden so excess water can drip through on to the floor.
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