What are galls?
Sometimes at the end of summer, not very pleasant-looking spherical growths appear on oak leaves.
These externally unsightly formations appear due to insects (gallworms) and are called galls. How does this happen? These insects lay eggs inside the leaf tissue itself, where their larvae subsequently develop. As a result, the pathologically overgrown tissue turns into a gall (“nut”). The oak leaf (photo below) usually has green, round galls, usually attached to the bottom of the leaf.
Oddly enough, they (leaves with galls) are collected for brewing and drunk instead of tea with sugar or honey. Their decoction is also used in the form of lotions (1 glass of raw material is brewed with 1 liter of boiling water, then boiled for 5 minutes, infused and filtered).
The most useful are fresh green and unripe galls.
Oak - a sacred tree, video
And in conclusion, an interesting video about the healing properties of oak.
Author: Pavel Chaika, editor-in-chief of Poznavaika magazine
When writing the article, I tried to make it as interesting, useful and high-quality as possible. I would be grateful for any feedback and constructive criticism in the form of comments on the article. You can also write your wish/question/suggestion to my email [email protected] or Facebook, with respect, the author.
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Mediterranean species
Pansy plant: description of what the flower looks like and when it blooms
Let's take a closer look at some Mediterranean species.
Stone
This is an evergreen giant with a very wide and spreading crown with not too frequent branches. It differs in that it has a barrel of impressive diameter. The bark of the tree is gray with pronounced cracks. The leaves of holm oak are modest and naturally small in size - they rarely grow more than 8 cm. They are characterized by a yellow or white base.
Red
A very beautiful type of oak, with a bright and eye-catching color. This gorgeous tree can reach a height of 30 m, but there are also taller specimens that have grown to 50 meters or more
Red oak can become a luxurious decoration of the urban landscape, so it is often grown artificially in various parts of the world. Red oak foliage has a rich brown or pleasant crimson hue.
Gartvis
This oak is also called Armenian oak. It has obovate leaves. The main fruits of this tree are acorns, which are formed and develop on elongated stalks. Gartvis oak prefers to grow in moderate shade; a moderate humidity level is also suitable for the tree. Warm temperatures and fertile soil are optimal. The species in question survives winter poorly, so it rarely grows in cold regions.
Georgian
Otherwise called Iberian oak. It has a very dense crown and elongated leaves. The leaf blade is wide and blunt at the apex. The flowers of this tree are completely inconspicuous and hardly attract attention. Acorns ripen in September. The tree is winter-hardy, but when young, it can freeze slightly. Not afraid of drought, not susceptible to common diseases. Pests are also of little interest to Georgian oak.
How is it used in medicine in different countries?
Pansy plant: description of what the flower looks like and when it blooms
In folk medicine in different countries, bark, young twigs, leaves and acorns are used. Recipes and uses vary slightly.
- For example, in Russia, a decoction of the bark is considered a good remedy for bleeding gums and diarrhea with bloody discharge. It is recommended to drink it to treat scurvy and liver failure. In everyday life, the collected leaves are placed in jars with pickles, and coffee is ground from fried acorns.
- Polish healers use the astringent properties of a decoction of the bark. The product is used to heal cuts and reduce inflammation of the bladder. It is also recommended for women during menstruation to reduce discharge and relieve pain.
- It is known that Bulgarian healers prepare medicines for dysentery, sore throat, and stomach diseases from oak bark. Prepared ointments are used to treat skin diseases.
Description of flowering
Amaryllis. period of rest and flowering, rules of care, reproduction
Oak is a long-lived tree, has a powerful trunk and a huge crown. It can grow up to 40 m. The plant belongs to the beech family. It has many species - there are more than 600 of them, about 20 of them are found in the Russian Federation. The most familiar and dear species to us is the pedunculate oak, also known as the common oak.
In the western regions of Russia, as well as on the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea, sessile oak is found, which is very common in European countries. These tree species are the basis of Russian groves.
In the Far East, in the Amur region, you can meet a Mongolian species of oak, the Latin name is Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb, in the forests of Transbaikalia there is even a relict grove of this variety. Jagged oak is a little less common in these parts.
As for other species, the cork oak is of great economic importance, which is found in many places - the south of France, Spain, Algeria, as well as the Caucasus, namely its Black Sea coast. In the Mediterranean countries, especially in Italy, an evergreen plant grows - holm oak, in Latin Quercus ilex
Its sweet acorns are even eaten. The same nutritious fruits are found in oak trees in the East, in warm American states such as California. For example, they were widely used for food by Indians in America. But mostly it is good feed for livestock. Acorn coffee is made from acorns produced by oak trees growing in our country.
The average lifespan of an oak is 400 years, but there are trees of a more respectable age - 700 years and older.
If the oak tree is spacious and free, if it grows in free space, its first flowers appear when it reaches 20-25 years. But if it has to grow among other trees, you can expect flowering 2 times longer. Over time, oak trees begin to produce more flowers, and accordingly, more acorns are produced as a result.
That’s why it’s so interesting to find out how oak trees actually bloom, because everyone knows about acorns, but few have seen flowers. Nevertheless, they exist and are even quite complex. Like many other crops, oak flowers are dioecious, monoecious: that is, both male and female flowers bloom on the same tree.
Pollination of flowers can occur either with the help of insects or with the help of wind. At the end of the oak flowering, an acorn fruit is formed in each ovary. The final ripening of the fruit occurs in autumn. Staminate (male) flowers are collected in inflorescences, appear as yellow-green catkins (their shade almost completely matches the color of young leaves), they hang from the branches in whole bunches.
Female pistillate flowers are also green, they collect 2-3 flowers on special short stems, and have a small red tip, which is small antennae that catch pollen.
At the same time, they are hidden at their base and even look like kidneys, which is why they are so difficult to notice. But they are the ones who will turn into the well-known acorns in the future. A large number of scale-like leaves grow in the lower part of the female flowers. They are located on a special cushion, which is a developed receptacle. During the ripening of the fruit, this roller grows, forming a plus - a characteristic saucer in which the acorn is located.
Varieties of oak also have different sizes of acorn fruits. The shape of the scales is also extremely rich: in some species the scales are small, in others, for example, in the Hungarian oak, the scales are centimeter long and turned away. Oak is characterized by a three-locular ovary of flowers, but during the period of fruit ripening only one nest will grow, resulting in a one-seeded fruit with a strong, leathery pericarp, which botanists classify as a group of nut-shaped fruits.
Planting and care
How long does lilac bloom: when and in what month? photo, ripening time, duration, why it doesn’t bloom and what to do
It is recommended to choose a seedling for planting that is at least one to two years old
It is important that the root system of the young growth is already well formed. But the roots are not yet so developed that they can be damaged when digging
It is advisable to preserve the lump of earth on the roots and wrap it in a damp cloth during transportation. Or do not remove the plant from the container until planting. The main thing is that no more than a day should pass from the moment of extraction from the ground.
If you follow all the planting rules, you can grow a tree with a luxurious crown in any area. Choosing the right place for planting will eliminate problems during cultivation. This should be a free area, with a distance of at least three meters from other trees, paved paths, and buildings. White oak loves sunlight very much, so it is worth taking this factor into account when choosing a suitable location.
Fertile soil is recommended for young seedlings. A very wet or dry place on the site can cause death. Having decided on the landing site, you need to move on to preparing the planting hole. To do this, you must adhere to the following sequence:
- dig a hole at least 80 cm deep;
- preserve the top fertile layer of soil.;
- soil that is dug below the 30-centimeter top layer must be thrown away or used for another purpose;
- fill the bottom of the pit with crushed stone or pebbles;
- the drainage layer must be at least 20 cm;
- mix the deposited top layer of soil with two buckets of humus, one kilogram of ash and add 1.5 kg of lime to this mixture;
- pour half of the prepared soil onto the drainage;
- install the seedling, carefully distributing the roots;
- pour out the rest of the soil mixture so that the root collar of the seedling is no more than 3 cm above the soil surface;
- Watering should be done gradually. At least 10 liters of water should be used;
- the tree trunk circle is mulched with peat or wood chips.
Caring for white oak involves timely pruning of damaged and dry branches, watering and preventive treatment against pests and diseases.
Croton is a beautiful plant with an unusual name
Want to add some color to your home? An indoor flower called croton (codiaum) can help you with this. Unlike flowering plants, which bloom only for a certain period of time, croton leaves will delight you with their appearance throughout the year.
They can be of different shapes and sizes, but their main feature is their very beautiful bright color. It is thanks to the leaves that this flower is so popular among gardeners and ordinary indoor plant lovers.
Croton belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. In nature, it mainly grows in southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, as well as in the forests of India and Indonesia. Well, at home you can grow the following types of this plant:
- Petra. This flower is a branching trunk covered with large fleshy leaves that have a glossy shine. Their color can range from light to dark green, with the veins being bright yellow.
- Excellent. This is a very beautiful variety of croton. The carved leaves of this flower are somewhat reminiscent of oak leaves, but they are more elongated. As for the color, it makes this variety stand out among other crotons. One plant can simultaneously have leaves that are dark green, light green, yellow, or even burgundy. Moreover, each leaf can have veins of yellow, orange and red.
- Norm. This flower also has an original color scheme. Its lower leaves are dark green and have bright pink veins that appear more pink than green. But the upper leaves are green with yellow veins.
- Gold Star. In appearance, this flower really somewhat resembles a star, since its thin long leaves are often bright yellow than green, and at the same time they stick out in all directions.
- Mrs Eyeston. A distinctive feature of this variety of croton is that it is covered with small rounded leaves of different colors.
Determination formula
Note: since there is no definition for oak as such in the reference book, I tinkered a little here and this is what I got.
Family:
Tree - leaves are flat, green - leaves and buds are alternate - flowers are not in baskets - flowers are unisexual - plants are monoecious - leaves are pinnately lobed -
genus:
we have one genus with lobed leaves (
other genera found in cultivation have differences in leaves: beech and chestnut - whole leaves, horse chestnut - this is a completely different family
) -
species:
we have one species.
How to Plant Red Oak
Planting and caring for young red oak does not require any special skills or experience. It is enough to carefully study all the recommendations and strictly follow them.
Selection of planting material
It is recommended to purchase planting material from trusted nurseries.
When choosing seedlings, pay attention to their age. Plants aged 1-2 years are considered the most established.
Site selection and soil requirements
When choosing a place for planting, it is important to take into account its size in adulthood, so the site must be large-scale and spacious for the full development of the plant. It is better to plant red oak in a well-lit area; it also feels comfortable in shaded areas
Thanks to the stability and power of the root system, the tree is not afraid of strong winds and hurricanes. But, in the early stages, it won’t hurt to plant several shrubs around the seedling.
Planting process
Red oak planting is carried out in several stages:
- Dig a small hole: depth – 30 cm, width – 50 cm.
- At the bottom of the hole, pour a layer of small pebbles or expanded clay 2-3 cm thick, which will protect the plant from stagnant water.
- Place the seedling in the hole and cover it with a soil mixture consisting of turf and leaf soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 2:1:2:1.
- In order for the plant to adapt to environmental conditions and take root faster, it should be watered regularly for a week.
Technology and scheme of planting seedlings
Planting oak seedlings is very simple, and even an amateur gardener can handle it. It is best to plant a tree in early spring, before the leaves appear. It will be useful to plant several shrubs around the seedling, which will protect it from the wind in the early stages of the tree’s life, and this will also help accelerate growth.
The health of the tree must be strengthened with fertilizers from an early age. This is done with the help of mineral compounds and organic components in the autumn. In spring, it is recommended to use complex fertilizers. Regular addition of healthy ingredients will prevent a common problem: red oak stops growing 2-3 years after planting, and its leaves turn yellow. This happens due to lack of nutrition or in case of improper feeding. For example, the application of fresh manure is completely excluded due to the high nitrogen content. With such fertilizer, loose tissues can form in all parts of the tree, unable to protect themselves from frost, pests and diseases.
Oak trees in Japan
Oak trees are also common in Japan. The local trees may be very different from the curly or willow-like beauties growing in Russia and the USA. Let's take a look at some of the most popular and common types of oak growing in Japan.
Volatile
This tree grows not only in Japan, but also in China and Korea. Variable oak is deciduous and has a characteristic through-arched crown. The standard height of the tree in question reaches 25-30 m. The bark of this oak is very dense, having long and winding longitudinal grooves. The leaf shape is pointed. The variable-looking flowers are grouped into charming earrings, which form and become noticeable only in the middle of the spring season. They are pollinated by the wind.
The changeable oak also produces other fruits - acorns. They have a spherical structure and a diameter of 1.5 to 2 cm. Acorns ripen only 18 months after pollination. The tree in question is grown on a modest scale, especially in China.
Japanese
A gorgeous looking tree with moderate durability and an attractive tan color. This majestic beauty grows not only in Japan, but also in the Philippines. The color of Japanese oak wood largely depends on the specific location where the tree grew. Thus, trees growing on the island of Honshu have an interesting pinkish tint.
Today, Japanese oak attracts people not only with its high decorative value, but also with the quality of the wood. It is widely used in furniture, cabinetry and carpentry production. It often turns out to be a good solution when it comes to panel finishing of various bases.
Maple
Maple, a sapwood species, produces dense, white, very uniform wood with barely noticeable annual rings. Maple is difficult to process due to its hardness, but due to the uniformity of the wood it is highly polished. Maple is quite difficult to split. In a damp place, maple easily rots. All these properties make maple most suitable for interior crafts. It is used in furniture making (bent furniture), for plane blocks, musical instruments, etc.
Maple for carving and turning work
Maple is also good for carving and turning. Ash wood can be confused with oak as they are somewhat similar. Ash wood has a yellowish-white color and a darker brownish core; the vascular bundles (veins) of ash are large and clearly visible, as are the annual rings. Its wood is somewhat easier to process than oak, it chips quite easily and is very elastic. When steamed, it bends well. Combined with elasticity, this property makes it very suitable for the construction of carriages, car bodies and aircraft. Ash is also used in furniture making and for interior decoration.
Elm, like ash, is somewhat reminiscent of oak in its wood structure. It has a dark core and narrow yellowish-white sapwood with large vessels, clearly protruding in transverse and longitudinal sections. Elm wood is difficult to split, being fibrous, and bends well. Elm is sometimes used in furniture making. Very often, it, like ash, is used to bend wheel rims, runners for sleighs, and more.
The healing power of oak
For treatment, young bark of branches and trunks, leaves and acorns of oak are used. The bark contains acids, resins, pectin, and sugar. Acorns contain protein and tannins, starch, fatty oil, sugar. The leaves contain tannins and dyes, pentosans.
Oak bark is used as an astringent, anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. In a mixture with other plants, it is used to treat gastritis, colitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and spleen diseases. A cold infusion is given internally (1 teaspoon of crushed bark is infused in 2 glasses of cold water for 6-8 hours) 2-3 tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
A decoction of oak bark (1:10) is used for pharyngitis, sore throat, skin diseases, and stomatitis. To treat burns, a stronger decoction of the bark (1:5) is used. For skin diseases, an ointment is also used - one part of a thickened bark decoction to four parts of lanolin.
A warm infusion of crushed oak acorns in red wine (25% tincture) in the form of compresses is used to treat hernias, and water decoctions are recommended by folk healers for burns, skin rashes, and excessive sweating of the feet. In addition, a nutritious coffee drink is prepared from acorns, which is consumed with milk and sugar.
For stomach bleeding, intestinal inflammation, poisoning with heavy metals, alkaloids, mushrooms, henbane, dope, and food poisoning, use a decoction of oak bark. For this purpose, 20 g of dry crushed raw materials are poured into 1 glass of hot water, boiled for half an hour, then filtered and the volume of liquid is brought to the original volume with boiled water. Take 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
An infusion of oak acorns helps with diarrhea and enterocolitis. It is prepared as follows: 1 teaspoon of dry crushed raw materials is poured with 1 glass of boiling water and, after cooling, filtered. Take 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day.
To gargle for chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, gum disease and stomatitis, use a decoction of oak bark. For urethritis and cystitis, take a decoction of oak bark, 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. For the same purpose, an infusion of acorns is used in a similar dosage.
For douching for cervical erosion, uterine prolapse, prolapse of the vaginal walls, vulvovaginitis and trichomonas colpitis, a decoction of oak bark is used: 20 g of dry crushed raw material is poured into 1 glass of hot water, boiled for half an hour, then filtered and the volume of liquid is brought to 1 liter with boiled water .
For baths and washes in case of allergic diathesis, a decoction of oak bark is used. For this purpose, 100 g of dry crushed raw materials are boiled in 1 liter of water for half an hour and filtered. For sweating feet, foot baths are prepared using a decoction of oak bark: 20 g of dry crushed raw materials are poured into 1 glass of hot water, boiled for half an hour, then filtered and the volume of liquid is brought to 1 liter with boiled water.
A cold decoction of the bark is used to treat burns and frostbite, as well as non-healing wounds.
Common folk recipes
- Infusions are made from acorns. To treat tuberculosis, peeled fruits are fried in the oven and then crushed. Powder from three teaspoons is poured into one and a half glasses of boiling water and infused. It is recommended to consume 1 tablespoon before lunch. An infusion of 1 teaspoon in the same amount of water will help with enterocolitis. You should drink a glass of it before meals.
- Acorn powder will help with diabetes. Only the collected ripe fruits are dried and crushed. They are recommended to be consumed for a month, 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. The powder can be washed down with water or tea. After the course you need to take a break.
- A decoction of the bark helps with women's diseases - erosive processes of the uterus, fungal diseases. You need to pour 20 grams of raw material into two glasses of water and boil over low heat for half an hour. Use the decoction for douching. In case of mushroom poisoning, such a decoction will help remove toxins. Drink it 50 ml 3 times a day.
Viper: description, types, what it looks like, where it lives, nutrition, reproduction, danger, photos and videos
Common oak is used for the construction of ships and houses; its raw materials are used in medicine and cosmetology; huge crowns saturate the air with oxygen every day. Its benefits are invaluable. The main thing for humanity is to rationally manage such a resource and protect the oak heritage.
In what month does it bloom?
Like many other plants that bear fruit, oak trees also bloom in the spring. In our country, its central part, this period falls approximately on May days. In this case, the beginning of flowering is directly related to the plant variety. Different species have different flowering dates. There are two types of English oak - summer and winter. The first species begins to bloom more often in the 1st half of May, blooms profusely, and produces a lot of acorn fruits.
Most often, such oaks have straight trunks. The second species, the winter one, begins flowering 2 weeks later. It will have fewer flowers and fruits. The oak leaves are just blooming; they are small and colored yellowish-green. Earrings appear along with them; they hang in bunches from the branches.
And they absolutely do not stand out against the background of foliage. But the fact that the leaves are very small at this time greatly facilitates the pollination process. Of course, oak trees generally bloom in May, but they can bloom even in the summer month of June. The tree is primarily guided by the weather; the plant itself can determine whether frost is expected or there will be no frost.
Oak leaves bloom from the buds over the course of a whole month. This process begins in early May and continues until early June. Here, too, a lot depends on weather conditions, for example, what the weather was like in April: for example, the cold shifts the timing of the blooming of oak leaves to the end of May.
Oak trees begin to bear fruit after 30 years of life and their fruits are acorns
The best time to plant a new oak tree will be autumn, the period before the first snow, but it is important to ensure that the acorns are not eaten by small rodents. To avoid this, they are often planted in the spring, with the onset of the first warm days.
Only acorns with a yellow or reddish embryo inside are suitable for planting.
Acorns
The shape of acorns is elongated. Their length ranges from 15 to 50 mm. In summer the color is green. By autumn the colors change. Oak fruits turn yellow or brown. Inside, each fruit is divided into two segments, yellow or red in color.
The smooth surface of acorns and their textured caps look attractive. Due to this decorative effect, oak fruits are used to create various kinds of crafts. In addition, acorns are a favorite food of pigs and wild boars.
Where can I plant it?
Oak is a very beautiful and rich tree that will delight owners with its majestic appearance, but only if you choose the right place to plant it. This issue must be taken very seriously and responsibly, since the growth and health of the green giant will depend on the chosen zone.
A win-win solution is a place near the fence (both inside and outside). An area near the neighbors' windows would also be suitable.
If the plot is more spacious and its area is 30-40 acres, then entire driveway alleys or wind protection for the garden on the north side can be formed. Oak trees are often planted as a chic hedge.
It is strongly not recommended to plant the tree in question in a place where the shadow of a garden house or other tall trees falls. Owners should remember that oak is a light-loving crop. In shaded areas, seedlings will grow poorly and may develop a very serious disease - powdery mildew.
When choosing a good place for an oak tree, you need to remember that this tree loves space. The root system should not suffer from stagnation of water - this will lead to very bad consequences. The acidity of the soil for planting oak should be close to neutral. It is desirable that the land be sufficiently fertile.
Decorative oak on the site
If the area is very small, the achievements of selection will come to the rescue. Quercus robur Fastigiata is a compact variety that forms a columnar crown. You can plant a solitaire candle, or a compact hedge - straight or in a semicircle. On any site it is useful for planting in a narrow place where long horizontal branches of an ordinary oak cannot be placed.
Columnar oak is suitable for any size plot
And red oak - Quercus rubrum, which is also characterized by slow growth and compact size. But besides this - a wider leaf and a stunning ruby-scarlet color of the leaves.
Red oak Quercus rubrum leaf color in summer (left) and autumn (right)
Among the large trees on the site, oak - regular or varietal - is certainly a good choice.
Oak plant: photos, types, cultivation, planting and care in open ground
These long-lived deciduous and evergreen trees are very diverse in foliage structure, overall size and habit. All of them form acorns - ovoid fruits-nuts, the base of which is immersed in a cup-shaped plus - an extension of the stalk, covered with budding, sometimes fringed scales. Oak trees have a spreading crown and a deep, extensive root system, so they are not suitable for a small area. The trees discussed below are more or less cold-resistant, although this indicator greatly depends on the species. Winter temperatures are of course important. However, much more damage is caused by spring frosts, which damage the opened buds. As a result, in some regions oaks, instead of slender trees, grow in the form of twisted bushes.
Oak
Combination of bleached oak with various colors
Green
The combination of green and bleached oak will create a wonderful natural mood that will help you relax.
To create a contrasting interior, you can paint the walls rich green and put light parquet on the floor.
Yellow
This combination is suitable for positive people who want to bring more light into their home.
It is better to use pastel colors for the walls.
However, when creating accents, you need more saturated colors, for example, orange-yellow near the kitchen apron.
For everything to look harmonious, the floor and furniture should be made of bleached oak.
Grey
This combination is perfect for minimalism or hi-tech style.
Muted tones are unlikely to bore you, and at the same time they will not look pale.
You can use accessories as accents, for example, lighting fixtures or figurines.
Lilac
Use lilac and bleached oak in rooms with windows facing south, as this combination will create a slightly cool interior.
However, a lot depends on the chosen shades, and such a mixture can easily be made brighter and warmer.
Blue
Blue will be a wonderful accent against the background of bleached oak.
Make light oak walls, and use household items in blue.
Useful properties of oak
Oak is a plant that has a huge number of beneficial properties and finds its application in every area of humanity.
For example, this tree is one of the best building materials with high strength and reliability. It is also actively used in industries such as shipbuilding. Oak is used to make high-quality furniture, flooring in various formats and colors, and is used in the production of transport.
Acorns can be used to make an excellent coffee drink.
This tree is capable of saturating the air around it with phytoncides, so even just breathing next to an oak grove is undoubtedly a useful activity.
But oak can benefit not only humans, but also animals. Its acorns are used for feed, and wild boars are considered to be particularly fond of them.
In addition, such a part of the oak as the bark is in great demand not only in folk medicine, but also in modern medicine
The most important thing for this medicinal raw material is to prepare it correctly. This should be done in early spring, using exclusively young plants.
It is best to dry the bark in the sun, or under a canopy during rain. Procuring raw materials indoors is undesirable, with the exception of a well-ventilated room, however, this option does not guarantee high-quality drying.
The finished dried bark has a large amount of tannins; it can be used, for example:
- to stop bleeding (pour 2 tsp of bark into 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 9-11 hours, then strain and drink 10-15 ml every two hours);
- for stomach health (pour 2 tablespoons of bark into a glass of warm water, heat in a water bath for half an hour, then strain, dilute with warm water and take 0.5 cups 20 minutes before meals).
Acorns are harvested and dried according to the same principle as bark, but are used somewhat less frequently:
for hemorrhoids (fry crushed dry acorns, pour 1 tsp with a glass of boiling water and leave to steep for 24 hours, then drink half a glass before meals).
It is definitely worth remembering that the use of medicinal oak raw materials has its contraindications and side effects, so before using it, you should consult your doctor!
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Usage
Oak was known and revered by ancient peoples. The Greeks and Romans considered this tree a gift from the gods, and it was not allowed to damage it in any way. The oak branch was considered a sign of the god Apollo, the patron of the arts and sciences. It was recognized that this tree was one of the first to appear on earth. The use of oak took place already in those days - oak branches were awarded to distinguished warriors. In Rus', various events were held at the foot of large sacred oak trees - weddings, courts and other important gatherings.
Oak fruits – acorns – are used as raw materials for food. However, they contain a substance toxic to humans - quercetin. It is not harmful to many animals - they can eat acorns raw.
Other substances that make eating acorns more difficult are tannins. They give the product a bitter taste. One way to get rid of them is to wash the acorns. However, another method of cleansing acorns was usually used - in the spring, already sprouted acorns that had been in the ground all winter were dug up and eaten. In general, roasted or boiled acorns provide a lot of nutrients. Crushed acorns are used as a substitute for almonds, acorn coffee is also brewed, and baked goods are baked from acorn flour.
Used for field protection breeding. Quite famous are oak forests (forests of oak trees), which are created for decorative purposes.
Acorns are a favorite food of some wild animals, the most famous of which are wild pigs. Some hunters use acorns as bait. For some domestic animals, acorns are toxic - this applies to cows and horses, to a lesser extent for sheep.
As for oak wood, it is widely used in construction and shipbuilding. Furniture and parquet are made from it. Wood is often used instead of firewood. The use of oak for making barrels for storing cognacs and wines is widely known. It is believed that this tree gives alcoholic drinks a unique flavor.
Bog oak that has lain under water for a long time is of particular value. It becomes black in color and becomes more resistant to external influences. Tannins contained in tree bark are used to tan leather. A dark and durable dye is obtained from oak bark, which is used in the dyeing of fabrics, woolen products, paintings and tapestries.
Among the representatives of this type of oak there are many celebrities. Their main feature is their considerable age. They are tourist attractions and are protected by local government agencies.
Superstitions
Despite its chic appearance, oak has not received the best reputation as a garden planting. Because of this, this tree is literally overgrown with all sorts of superstitions and signs. Thus, according to one of the old folk superstitions, it is believed that an oak tree is one of the undesirable neighbors on the site, since planting this young tree is a harbinger of the imminent death of the owner. It is also generally accepted that in a house next to which an oak tree grows, the owners will get very sick.
There are many other signs that scare away superstitious people from planting oak trees in their gardens. These signs vary among different nationalities. Of course, there is no scientific evidence for these signs and beliefs. Many people do not expect that oak will have a bad effect on them or their home, so they boldly plant it on their site and do not regret it in the future. Each person decides for himself what to believe and what not to take too literally.
Pests and diseases
Caring for young trees must be careful. For the first five years of their life, they are covered with burlap during the cold season to prevent freezing and disease. The burlap should be dense and breathable.
Pests rarely attack a mature oak; it has a powerful root system and strong branches. The main enemies of the beech family are fruit moths and leaf rollers. A pest such as powdery mildew, known for its rapid and aggressive effects, is the most dangerous. The pest causes necrotic changes in the branches, up to the total death of the entire tree. The disease is easy to detect by the white coating on the leaves. By the end of summer, small black dots appear on the powdery coating - these are the bodies of the fungus. Powdery mildew can destroy a young plant, as it does not allow the shoots to become woody. The disease is spread by insects gnawing on leaves. After their attacks on the crowns, oak trees of any age can be affected.
Preventive treatment of branches is carried out with a mixture consisting of baking soda and water. If pests have already appeared, you need to immediately apply fungicides to completely neutralize the impact and destroy the parasites. In addition to fungicides, plants are treated with a solution of copper sulfate and colloidal sulfur.
How are acorns useful for humans?
Acorns
have antitumor, bactericidal and enveloping effects.
Acorns
are often used to treat problems of the genitourinary system and enuresis.
Acorns are
also useful for the digestive system, for various poisonings, colitis and simply indigestion, as well as for varicose veins and thrombosis.
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Oak in the interior
Oak wood will perfectly complement any interior.
Oak can be used in flooring, wall coverings, and also as a ceiling finish.
Floor
Most often, oak is used for flooring.
Oak wood is most often used to make parquet and laminate flooring.
Thanks to light parquet flooring, the room will become visually more spacious and brighter.
If you decide to decorate a room using Scandinavian, eco or country style, first of all think about bleached oak.
In the style direction called minimalism, the shade will also look harmonious, refreshing the rooms.
In small rooms, a light floor will create a unified space that will seem larger than it actually is.
In large rooms, you can use brown skirting boards to visually limit the floor space.
Walls
Wall panels are not used as often as the previous option, but they look beautiful.
Oak panels are as follows:
- rack and pinion;
- leafy;
- tiled.
Each option can lead to a great result. For example, slatted panels will help change the geometry of rooms.
Panels can be used to decorate walls completely or partially. The second option will look better if combined with wallpaper or paint.
Ceiling coverings
In any case, this option will become the highlight of your interior, since few people decide to undertake such experiments.
You can use laminate or large beams.
To make such an interior look even more original, use spotlights that will highlight the natural image.
Application
Although oak is not a fruit tree, almost all of its parts are in demand by people. So, first of all, wood is used, but acorns, bark, branches and leaves are also used.
As mentioned above, red oak is mainly an industrial wood that is used to create furniture, planks, barrels, and serves as material for boats and ships.
In cooking
Acorns are actively used in cooking.
Note for travelers: although this is not the most common product, it is worth knowing that in its raw form they are bitter, but after heat treatment they acquire a sweetish taste, reminiscent of a nut.
On an industrial scale, red oak acorns are ground. They make a coffee surrogate, as well as flour, from which you can make excellent bread by adding regular wheat.
At home
In Europe and the CIS countries, red-leaved oak is often used as a design element. Indeed, the pointed red leaves look very impressive in autumn and spring in parks, squares, plots and estates.
Wood and tree bark are also used as fuel, tannin is extracted from them, which is part of the paint. The bark is also used in leather crafting.
In medicine
Oak leaves, bark and branches are used to create medicines. They are collected during the period of sap flow and then dried under a canopy, without access to sunlight.
Infusions and decoctions of oak bark are a favorite folk and homeopathic remedy that has an anti-inflammatory and astringent effect. Used for eczema, varicose veins, diseases of the gums, liver, spleen, intestinal disorders, etc.
How is oak raw material harvested?
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People often unknowingly collect old, rough bark from oak trees. It is suitable only for decorative purposes: it will make wonderful boards, stands, etc. If you are interested in common oak bark for medicinal purposes, then you need to remove it from young trees. Oak trees under 10 years of age are suitable for harvesting bark. On an industrial scale, bush forms of trees are grown to collect raw materials. They simply periodically cut off the tops from which the bark is removed. Or young trees are cut down at the roots. After some time, new shoots begin to grow in this place, and the oak tree bushes.
