In most major cities of the world, coniferous trees are rarely seen. But not in Ashgabat. There are fir trees literally at every step. How did they deserve such popularity and how do they get along with their leafy brethren?

The value of coniferous trees for parks, squares, streets is not only that they are evergreen, which is important in a desert landscape. Conifer is peculiar by a high degree of adaptability to the environment, unpretentiousness in care and watering. The most common in Turkmenistan are cypress, juniper, pine. They can be found everywhere.

The main task of green and forestry specialists, plant and landscape engineers, botanists and phytodesigners is to choose and plant trees correctly. So that pines and thuja look great both in pure coniferous groups and in mixed ones, where they shade the deciduous crowns.

It is deciduous trees and shrubs that play a leading role in landscaping. They are useful for human health and the environment as a whole: every year they throw off foliage that has absorbed harmful and toxic substances in the city, while conifers do not. In addition, it is difficult to imagine urban parks without dense crowns that provide the necessary shade in the summer heat and protect the territory from the wind. These are the familiar mulberry, acacia, gledichia, mulberry, sycamore, etc.

There are perfectly adapted local tree species, as well as foreign ones that have been grown on the territory of Turkmenistan for more than a hundred years. For example, ailanthus, maclure, maple and others are great for natural conditions and respond sensitively to care. Deciduous evergreens with sufficient watering can be planted in an open area without fear of the sun.

In the plantings of parks and suburban forest parks, you can often find an oak tree. It is able to quickly absorb sulfur, retain dust well and muffle city noise. It is believed that this tree gives a person a powerful charge of positive energy and in good conditions can live for more than a hundred years. For example, in the village of Makhtumkuli in the Balkan region, a 125-year-old petiolated oak tree has been preserved. The tree has the status of a natural monument.

In Turkmenistan, not only the urban infrastructure is being greened, but also the foothills and suburbs. Mainly with the help of conifers, but deciduous ones are also present. They protect the soil surface and lawn vegetation from heating during the daytime, in the evening — create the possibility of rapid air exchange and coolness. This is especially true in a hot climate.

Why do experts choose coniferous trees? They also have benefits for both humans and the environment. Needles saturate the air with phytoncides — once in the body, they are able to fight many microbes and viruses. Such trees help to get rid of excessive nervous tension, improve oxygen metabolism in the body.

If we talk about ecology, there is an opinion that coniferous plantations increase the amount of precipitation and reduce the average annual temperature. Planting pine trees on mountain slopes also helps to delay and transfer meltwater from snow and winter rains into groundwater. The ability of coniferous plantings to dew deposition and condensation is also important, which is able to replenish groundwater in a climate where precipitation does not fall almost all year round.

Whether coniferous trees actually attract rain is still a controversial question. This fact cannot be considered proven, but it is also impossible to refute it. At the same time, it is absolutely proven that deforestation leads to desertification, and the planting of any trees, whether coniferous or deciduous, is very important.

ORIENT
Editorial photo