Modern landscape designers are increasingly using pseudo-hull in the design of plots, parks and avenues, but most people, passing by this beautiful tree, will take it for their usual fir. Yes, both species belong to the large family of Sosnovykh, however, unlike their relative, the pseudo-hem is less demanding to care, and its crown is more amenable to decorative tricks. But in order for a luxurious and powerful tree to become a living ornament, it is necessary to know the secrets of planting and growing it.
Pseudo
Today this beautiful plant bears various names - pseudo-hemlock, liar-bitter, Douglas, Douglas fir, the appearance of which is associated with the discovery of this species.. It was first discovered in North America by Scot Archibald Menziz, but he took the tree for fir. 
Much later, his mistake was corrected by the English botanist David Douglas, who noted that the new species has significant external differences from the usual fir.
Did you know? Having studied the features of the pseudo-lecter, the scientists came to the conclusion that the tree can live for 1000 years. At the same time, the most ancient representative of this family is 700 years old. This unique specimen grows in the USA, has a trunk 100 meters long and over 4 meters in diameter.
Appearance
The pseudo-league can be identified by the following characteristics:
- abnormal height. In North America, the tree reaches a height of 100 m, in conditions of European climatic zones it rarely grows above 50 meters, but it is already much higher than common fir;
- crown shape and color. A young liar possesses a cone-shaped crown characteristic of the Pine family, which, as it grows, turns into a round, spherical. The lower part, with time, acquires a gray tint due to the resin released by the tree;
- bumps. Fruits stretched in length (up to 12 cm) with folded scales hang from the branches, immediately attracting attention. In some species, the base of the cones is purple, which gives them additional charm;
Pseudo-cones - needles. At first glance, they resemble fir, but it’s clear that they are no longer of such a bright color. If you rub a needle with your fingers, a light pine aroma will immediately appear.
Pseudo-conesBasically, pseudo-hull is confused with fir, spruce due to similar branches: in her, they also grow perpendicular to the trunk.
We advise you to read about how to grow fir on the site and in the pot, how to propagate, as well as what useful properties it has.
Culture characteristics
Psevdotsugi have a number of advantages for which gardeners love it. These include:
- fast growth. Each year the plant is pulled out by 40-50 cm, so within a few years already a rather impressive “resident” will appear on the site;
- frost resistance. It is impossible to meet a pseudo-hull in Northern Europe, but in the Central territory it is well tolerated by frost and cold, and thanks to a powerful trunk, it does not care for the winds;
- not afraid of bad ecology. This tree feels great in urban environments where the level of toxic waste is off the scale.
Where grows
North America is traditionally considered the birthplace of the pseudo-hemlock, where botanists first drew attention to this tree. However, in the world there are about 18 kinds of false sacks, some of them grow only in Japan, China, and after the appearance of a tree in England in the 19th century, it began to spread throughout Europe. 
The original liar today is found only in the wild, near rivers, in shady meadows. And for decorative needs, mainly breeding varieties are used.
They are not so high, their crown is usually located at the level of a person's eyes of medium height, giving the opportunity to admire spreading fluffy paws and beautiful cones.
Did you know? Today in the world there are not many pseudo-tocsug over 100-200 years old. Like the mighty sequoia, this tree often falls victim to illegal logging, because products made from such unique wood on the black market are quite expensive.
Main types
All 18 varieties are quite similar to each other, so we separately select only those that have special characteristics.
Japanese
The international name of the variety sounds like this - Pseudotsuga japonica. A representative of this species can only be met on the Japanese island of Honshu at an altitude of over 500 m above sea level. 
The tree comfortably feels closer to the rivers, deep wet holes, surrounded by other conifers. The local mild climate and soil from volcanic rocks have created good conditions for growth and reproduction.
We recommend to find out what are coniferous trees and bushes.
The Japanese pseudo-leopard rarely reaches a height of 30 m, and its trunk diameter is not more than 150 cm.
The crown on the tree is concentrated in the upper half, casting emerald green hues at the very top and a slightly grayish bottom. The yellow-brown branches spiral upward, becoming covered in color in April and seed cones in October. Outside the island, the tree is found only in the arboretums, where it rarely takes root well.
Important! Today in Japan, the number of pseudo-ducts is barely 2,000, since they were actively affected by logging at one time, and it is rather difficult to resume the population..
Cattle
Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, or large-sized, got its name due to the largest fruits among all types of pseudo-sutsug: they can reach a length of 15-18 cm. Seeds in such cones are quite large, they are not capable of movement themselves, therefore the distribution of false eggs is provided by birds.
Despite such outstanding bumps, the growth of the tree itself is small - 15-30 meters. It also differs in ribbed bark, in which thin woody and thick cork layers alternate. 
It is this unique bark that regularly rescues a pseudo-hull from fires that flare up in California, where a tree grows. You can meet him on the western and northern slopes of the mountains, in the gorges and in the shade on the banks of the rivers.
Although large-sized pseudo-leopard and loves humidity, it grows well in arid, desert regions, so that their populations are not at risk.
In difficult times, the tree sheds needles and is in a sleeping state for up to 2 years, and after a change of circumstances it develops with a new force.
Did you know? The large-scale pseudo-leopard is capable of growing in truly unique conditions: many specimens hang on mountain slopes at an angle of more than 35 degrees.
Menzies
Pseudotsuga menziesii, or the liar of Menzies - the only original type of pseudo-cuts growing in Europe. This powerful evergreen tree with a conical crown has about 10 varieties. Young specimens differ in orange-red color of branches, slightly raised up, and smooth bark on the trunk. 
The older members of the species have dark horizontal paws, and the bark over time acquires hillocks and wrinkles. Cones in Mensez's pseudo-tosugi are ovoid, and the needles are rather short — only 2–3 cm long.
This species is also called Douglas fir.since it was he who first met David Douglas during an expedition to North America. The appearance of Menzies became the basis for selection varieties, among which the most popular are the flat-top "Compacta", the miniature "Densa" and the drooping Glauca Pendula.
But the special love of gardeners and decorators won "Glauca", resembling a luxurious blue spruce.
Chinese
Pseudotsuga sinensis common in China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Here she often conquers peaks at the level of 3300 m above sea level, however, unlike other types of pseudo-tosug, she prefers to stay among deciduous trees.
Did you know? Environmentalists often use pseudo-tosug to restore forests after fires. This is due to their high growth rate.
Perhaps that is why the Chinese variety has a wide crown, the shape of which resembles deciduous trees. On the basis of thin needles, two white stripes appear, and their tips are bright green. Mature seed buds are pleased with pale purple, purple-brown shades near the end of October. 
Earlier, while the ancient giants with a trunk diameter up to 2 m were still available, the pseudo-hull was used for the construction of buildings and bridges, but today this era has ended.
Cultivation of this tree is not justified from the point of view of the Chinese economy, therefore, it is only possible to meet a fool in the wilds in the depths of the country, in reserves or in arboretums.
Growing conditions
Growing a pseudo-household in home conditions does not require large expenditures or efforts, the main thing is to follow the basic guidelines for choosing a place and soil.
If space allows the plot, then you can use other coniferous trees in landscape design. It can be thuja western "Brabant" or "Kolumna", juniper "Skyrocket"; in not large areas you can plant: Canadian dwarf spruce, cypress, mountain pine or yew berry.
Location selection
Although the adult is quite hardy, the young cuttings will need thorough care. Choose for their landing areas that are in light shade.
The shoots cannot be in the bright sun, which will damage their sensitive skin, but the complete absence of light is detrimental to the growth of the future tree.
Soil requirements
The pseudo-hemlock is able to grow on virtually any soil, except wet marsh. If you want to stimulate the growth of a future tree, then use its favorite options:
- oxygen rich loamy soil, but avoid thick clay and clean sand;
- podzolic carbonate soil;
- substrate of leafy land (3 parts), peat and humus (2 parts each).
Breeding methods
Planting on the site pseudo-hull is possible in two ways: using seeds and cuttings.
Important! It is also desirable that the stalk be covered from the wind for the time being until it is strong enough, otherwise the trunk will be curved.
Seeds
This option is quite laborious, but as a result you will get a lot of seedlings. A longer process of growing adds stability to future trees, makes them stronger.
Seeds in cones usually appear every 2-3 years in October. And in November they can be used. The landing is carried out in small containers with a substrate to a depth of 2 cm, covering the top with mulch. For germination future seedlings are placed in a room with a temperature not higher than 20 ° C. 
Seeds of a pseudo-hedgehog For the first 5 years it is better for plants to be indoors, and upon reaching this age, they can be planted in open ground.
This imitation of natural conditions is possible in a conventional refrigerator. Put a wet gauze on a plastic cover and place the seeds on it.
Put in the fridge for 2-3 days, and the plants are ready for planting. Stratification hardens future seedlings, further allowing them to more easily endure the winter frosts.
Important! If last year's seeds or older seeds are taken for planting, then stratification is required.
But remember that to store seeds for further planting is in a cool room, in such conditions, they lie and 10 years. But in a warm room, the seed will spoil within a year.
Seeds germinate in early spring. At this time, it is desirable to take them out onto the street, and in late autumn, cover them with a film in front of frosts.
Cuttings
Those who do not want to wait for new plantings for 5 years should choose cuttings. The scheme of action in this case is as follows:
- in the spring, before the appearance of the first buds, we select a tree at least 4 years old;
- among the side shoots, cut the stalk, but always with a heel - a piece of wood at the base;
- we lower the sprout in a growth stimulator for a few days to give it extra strength;
- when the temperature outside will reach 20-23 ° C, in a slightly darkened place we make a well, fill it with the substrate described above, do not forget about the drainage;
- we take the stalk and carefully plant at an angle of 60-70 degrees, keeping the orientation of the needles.
Important! Although this method is acceptable for planting directly into open ground, experts still recommend that the stem be kept in a pot a year for better root development.
Within 1-1.5 months, the newly born seedling takes root in a new place. If several plants are planned to be planted at once, then the optimum distance for them will be 1.5-4 meters, depending on what sizes are planned for mature trees.
How best to propagate pseudo
Both methods have their pros and cons, but experts prefer to work with seeds rather than cuttings. Although this method is more durable, its seedlings are more resistant to frost, pests, and poor soil.
Cuttings are used in cases where there is a need to quickly grow a tree.
Features care for young seedlings
Whatever way of landing you choose, young shoots will need the same care:
- watch the weather. In late spring - early summer, when there is a chance of frost, do not forget to cover the seedling with nonwoven fabric at night: the cold in this period of its growth is destructive. And at the end of the autumn you will gnaw the stalk with leaves or spruce branches so that he spends the winter warm;
Did you know? In the ranking of the tallest trees in the world, the pseudo-hull takes only third place, behind the Australian eucalyptus and American redwoods.
- remember the sun. The morning and evening rays are good for the young runaway, but during the day it should be kept in the shade, especially in the summer. Otherwise there will be burns on the bark;
- watering. If no precipitation has been observed for a long time and the ground under the sapling starts to become covered with cracks, water the sprout once a week (25 liters of water will be enough for once). With extreme heat, increase the frequency of watering. Also, the plant gratefully accept the morning and evening spraying;
- loosening. In order for the moisture to better nourish the soil, as well as access of oxygen to the roots, do not forget to periodically loosen the soil around the tree;
- trimming. It is strongly recommended to pull out the buds that appear in spring and autumn, but trimming the crown is not necessary for a young pseudo-shade. It is usually carried out only for the purpose of giving the tree a decorative shape;
- top dressing. Sapling without it will not be easy to manage in the first 2 years of growth, so periodically fertilize the soil around it with peat or humus.
Important! Many gardeners, caring for young shoots psevdotsugi, tie up its branches in the fall. Otherwise there is a risk that in winter they will break under the weight of snow.
Rules for caring for an adult plant
The first 2-3 years after planting in open ground are important for wood. If it is correct to take care of the sprouts during this period, then in the future the pseudo-hemlock will get through any adversity without assistance.
Watering and soil care
Although a liar is not against moderate humidity, it calmly tolerates drought. For quite a long time, it goes without rain, but if you want to make life easier for the tree during droughty periods, then we will allow regular watering. At times enough 10-12 liters of water. As long as the pseudo-leopard is young and of short stature, it is also useful for her to spray the crown.
Crown trimming
Adult specimens absolutely do not need pruning, but it is well tolerated if necessary. Due to this ability, trees are used in decorating areas, because on their crown it is easy to form the desired shape. 
Top dressing
After the 4th-5th year of life, a liar is already a rather large tree that does not need additional feeding. The older it gets, the larger the carpet of fallen needles under it, which, rotting, and feed the pseudo-hull.
Did you know? All members of the Pine family have needles that are mobile. In the spring and summer, they move slightly away from the branches, and in the winter, on the contrary, press against the bark, as if trying to shelter from the cold.
Diseases and pests
In addition to the lush crown, gardeners love their pseudo-hull for their resistance to diseases and pests. Only in extremely rare cases, it can suffer from fungus or aphids.
The fungus infects the roots and trunk. The reason for its appearance is excessive moisture or infection from another plant. If possible, this reason should be quickly established and eliminated. And to treat the affected areas with anti-fungal drugs (Baktofit, Vitaros). 
Aphid is rarely threatened with pseudo-soutines, it is repelled by a rather strong tarry smell. However, if, nevertheless, individuals resistant to it were found, then the tree should be sprayed with insecticides (“Aktara”, “Commander”, “Corado”).
Read more about how to deal with conifer pests.
Psevdotsuga - a great decoration for any site. This tree from Pine trees is undemanding to the soil and further care, however, it will please its owner with a luxurious crown. Therefore, it is not surprising that landscape designers are increasingly using it as a replacement for traditional pines and spruces.
