Pinus sibirica Du Tour in the Conditions of Introduction by the Example of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute

• Published in: Lesnoy Zhurnal (Forestry Journal)
• Main Authors: Oksana A. Goncharova, Olesya E. Zotova
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: Northern Arctic Federal University 2024
• Subjects: siberian stone pine; pinus sibirica du tou; introduction; phenological development; risk of a tree falling; viability; the murmansk region; Forestry; SD1-669.5; Apatity; Arctic; Murmansk; Needles The; The Needles
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2024-2-178-188; https://doaj.org/article/ee967e20e3884de5a97f6c863f756946

The study has been conducted at the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, the northernmost botanical garden in Russia (67°38′ N). The aim of this work has been a comprehensive analysis of the condition of Siberian stone pine trees (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) during their introduction in the Arctic. The condition of 8 specimens of the species cultivated at the experimental plot in the town of Apatity has been examined. Their phenological development has been analyzed: the swelling and breaking of the vegetative buds, the end of the elongation and maturation of the needles, the beginning and end of growth of the annual shoots, the lignification of the shoots, the beginning and end of pollen dispersion. The degree of lignification of the annual shoot, the winter hardiness, the habit, the shootforming capacity, the height increment, the generative development and the reproduction in the plantation have also been assessed. The risk of a tree falling has been determined by considering its surroundings and exposure to wind. The root zones, the butts, the trunks, the crown bases, the boughs and the crowns have been examined for the presence of hollows, cracks, decomposition, fungal fruit bodies, damage, weak forks, dead branches, etc. The application of an approach combining the analysis of seasonal development, viability and risk of tree fall is promising for a comprehensive and objective assessment of the condition of Siberian stone pine trees by morphological and phenological characteristics during the introduction to the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The phenological rhythm of the studied trees corresponds to the environmental conditions during the introduction to the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute named after N.A. Avrorin. Vegetation begins in late May. By the end of August the annual shoots lignify, which indicates the readiness of the plants for the winter period. The close timing of the onset of phenophases and their low variation may indicate a low dependence of the seasonal development of ...