Oak

Oak - one of the main forest-forming species. In the zone of deciduous forests and steppe forms pure groves or occurs in a mixture with other species. Widely used in tree shelterbelts and afforestation. The breed is relatively heat-loving.

Many people considered the most beautiful oak tree and the oldest tree on earth ... The Greeks, for example, believed that the oak tree appeared earlier than other trees. He was dedicated to their sun god, science and art - Apollo. Oak branches means the power, and a wreath of oak branches were awarded for military exploits. Oak tree lives a long time: some trees are more than 1000 years. Venerated the sacred tree in most European nations, was considered prophetic tree, the shade is in an uproar leaves priests "capture" the decision of the gods. Slavs also dedicated an oak Perun. Under the sacred oaks of the Slavs were the congregation, councils and wedding ceremonies.

Use oak with medicine has a long history. Russian people in ancient times (the same as now) readily soared not only birch, and oak twigs, banishing "bodily illness, especially colds and joint disease. After the bath were instructed "to wipe themselves with oak quarter plateau - boiled in the infusion of oak bark canvas. Old Russian medical manual advised to treat wounds "oak leaves" and finely comminuted bark.

Currently used for therapeutic purposes in scientific medicine so-called "mirror" the bark of oak taken from the 15 - to 20-year-old trees or young lateral shoots, which bark smooth, shiny, without residue timber. The bark contains tannin, gallic and ellagic acids, carbohydrates, pectin, flavonoids.

In cosmetics is widely used oak bark as an antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory agent. Action is based on the ability of tannins firm up tissue membrane. The range of assignments oak products is quite diverse: in the form of baths - as wound healing, and excessive sweating of hands and feet, with frostbite, stomatitis, oily seborrhea, hives, eczema, etc. Often appointed oak bark in combination with other herbs. Add to it, and in the toothpastes and elixirs.

Harvest the bark in early spring when sap flow, with the permission of forest and, as a rule, in areas designated for logging. The bark is suitable for use within 5 years. Under natural conditions oak acorns and propagated shoots from the stump. Arising under a canopy of oak self-seeding because of the lack of light in 3-4 years dies, turning into a so-called upright, from which new shoots appear and again after 2-3 years dies. With a special permit harvesting bark can be conducted in such shoots. In the case of logging or thinning of the parent stand upright able to resume planting. On the bleached field self-seeding does not die, but develops in the undergrowth.

Artificially bred planting oak acorns in the nursery, followed by planting seedlings obtained.