Tree and shrub group diagram ideas. City improvement, woodwork, installation of pile foundations and pipelines

One birch, two birch - there will be a grove

Trees + bushes = symmetry of beauty

Everything flows, everything changes... Today, the times when a dacha plot was used only as a place to grow potato crops for several families, and when trips here for many Russians were a complete nightmare, have almost sunk into the river of oblivion.

Nowadays, summer cottages and country houses they are started for cultural recreation: they come here in good weather for barbecues, invite friends and acquaintances, and in the summer they generally move to the dacha with the whole family or even live here all season. And of course, in order not to lose face in front of the guests, and for his own pleasure too, each landowner tries to arrange his plot as aesthetically as possible, while still striving for natural harmony and naturalness. AND great solution here is landscaping a dacha using tree and shrub compositions.

However, it is worth remembering that green spaces on a site, especially lush and bright ones, can greatly decorate it, but when placing and grouping them, you must have a sense of proportion: do not overdo it, or rather, do not over-green. Otherwise, your dacha threatens to become like a continuous wild thicket, which, of course, will not add any attractiveness or charm to it.

Therefore, when organizing compositions of trees and shrubs in your garden, you must pay attention to some important points: firstly, green spaces with similar characteristics will look more harmonious in the set: crown shape, foliage color, texture, and secondly, to create a spectacular contrast is best played on one dominant feature, and not on the complete heterogeneity of the selected flora; thirdly, it is best to give preference to local plants - they are more likely to take root and require less care than green exotics.

However, for the correct organization of tree and shrub compositions this is still not enough. There are also certain principles, following which is highly desirable if you want to give your summer cottage a unique, original, but at the same time stylish and aesthetic image.

Obeying the call of Mother Nature...

Many of us want that, when we arrive at our dacha, we can immerse ourselves in a natural atmosphere that is as close to natural as possible. And this can be achieved by observing the ecological principle of construction. It consists in selecting flora taking into account its biological features and taking into account all requirements for planting and caring for them. This makes it possible to grow resilient and strong specimens of trees and shrubs, which will give city dwellers who travel outside the city a feeling of being in a natural landscape. Inattention to the needs of plants is fraught with a slowdown and deterioration in their growth, which contributes to stunting, lethargy, and dullness of their appearance. Thus, the main purpose of the composition - decorative - will remain unrealized.

The eco-friendly principle involves taking into account needs tree and shrub group to lighting, humidity, level of soil mineralization, its temperature, etc. In areas close to the city, indicators of the degree of atmospheric pollution, the volume of harmful substances and dust in it are also added.

And if a friend suddenly turns out to be... not a friend, but an enemy

It is well known that space crews are selected based on the principle of psychological compatibility of people, because only optimal psycho-emotional interaction in a limited location contributes to productive work and peaceful coexistence without conflicts. A similar principle operates in plants, only it is called phytocenotic. According to it, trees and shrubs in the composition are selected in such a way as to form a harmonious unity based on biological compatibility.

It is no secret that trees and shrubs of different species often do not get along with each other in one place: the stronger ones crush the weaker ones, “hammer” them, and prevent them from growing. To prevent this from happening, you need to know how different plants interact with each other, which of them can become neighbors, and which are better to be planted at different ends of the summer cottage.

The interaction between communities can be of different types: mechanical, biophysical, biochemical. Trees and shrubs with large branches planted close to each other can cause mechanical damage to neighbors. There is also a theory that each plant has its own biofield, which can have a stimulating or depressing effect on surrounding plants - this is how biophysical interaction affects it. Some green settlers have an exorbitant appetite, taking water and nutrients in less efficient cohabitants, and also highlight special active substances, which may not be useful to others - this reveals the biochemical nature of mutual influence. And ultimately, this is also very important when arranging the site tree and shrub composition.

It’s not forbidden to be beautiful, but in moderation

Beauty is a terrible force, sometimes it actually takes on terrifying forms if there is too much of it. The same rule applies to tree and shrub compositions: when they try to cram everything and more into them, without attaching much importance to the harmonious combination of plants. The end result may be a real vinaigrette of greenery, which may not look very appetizing.

To avoid such mistakes to create a truly beautiful tree and shrub composition it is also necessary to be guided by the decorative principle. In this case, the main attention is paid to the external appearance of the plants, their color, size and shape of foliage, crown, etc.

It can also be noted that within the framework of this principle, plants can be grouped by identity, similarity or contrast. Identity implies the unification within one composition of flora with similar aesthetic characteristics, which, expressed in the language of painting, as if with light strokes of varying degrees of sharpness, add depth and volume to the overall picture. As a rule, in this case plants are included in one composition different types with similar physiognomic and anatomical features based on the principle of symmetry. Green spaces that have very minor differences in aesthetic and biological properties are grouped according to similar characteristics. This is the most complex process, since it requires a fairly good knowledge of the flora with which you have to work. Contrast is achieved by comparing trees and shrubs with opposite external characteristics within the same composition, which very well complement and shade each other in the aggregate. For example, this can include trees with pyramidal and spherical crowns, with green leaves and an unusual yellow-red color, etc.

Following all principles of construction tree and shrub groups, by thoughtfully selecting green spaces for them and being attentive to the needs of plants, you can create on your own summer cottage a real Garden of Eden, or a small grove, or an aristocratic park area - whatever your imagination tells you. The main thing is that if you do everything according to the rules, you will be able to enjoy the wonderful spectacle of blooming green compositions in your own dacha for a very long time.

The group is the main element of landscaping structures

Groups A group is a combination of woody plants of one or more species, located separately in the open space of the park. It consists of at least three specimens of woody or shrubby plants, fully visible from one point located at the planting level (51). Groups are divided into woody, shrubby and mixed groups of various sizes.

The group is main element landscaping structures, the main design of landscape gardening volumetric architecture, not only with landscape, but also with regular planning.

Lately, linear plantings have been used less and less; the group has acquired greater rights as the main type of tree and shrub structures.

Even in ancient times they said: “Everyone can plant in rows, but in groups it’s difficult.” Indeed, designing group gardening is difficult. It is difficult to transfer such a project into reality. But growing group gardening is incomparably easier and cheaper. Here there is no need to achieve monotony, standardization of plants, and the lag in the growth of some specimens is not very scary; no need to worry about regular haircuts.

The purpose of tree groups is very diverse. They create the front and medium shot landscape, its accents, dominants. Groups divide and subdivide the park space and create clearings. Adjacent to tree tracts, they become accompanying groups, diversifying and enriching the edge of the tract.

Groups create the silhouette of a garden, park, square, fill them with a play of light and shadows, and enrich its color.

And finally, large tree structures in gardens and parks consist of groups close to each other: curtains, groves, massifs.

The selection of plants in a group is based on either a soft combination or a contrasting ratio, depending on their decorative qualities (52). Depending on the distance to the passing alley or the placement of the platform from which the main views open, the group should have either a clear and expressive silhouette, visible from long distances, or more subtle nuances of color and texture of foliage and trunk, visible from close distances. In all cases, the nature of the background on which the group is projected must be taken into account.

Trees and shrubs add volume to the garden, are used to emphasize or disguise the relief, to strengthen slopes, to create independent groups or mixed compositions.

The artistic and compositional characteristics of trees and shrubs are determined by their size, shape and color, which change depending on the age of the plants, the season of the year, and are also determined by the weather and lighting. Such artistic qualities as the texture and tone of the trunk, the pattern of foliage and the color of the fruit are used in compositions designed for close perception. The size and shape of the crown, silhouette, and color of foliage are also important over long distances.

Various forms of crowns of trees and shrubs are shown in Fig. 36.

Rice. 36a. Tree crown shapes:

1 – prostrate (oak, elm); 2 – oval (Berlin poplar); 3 – pyramidal (larch, spruce); 4 – columnar (Moscow poplar, cypress); 5 – ovoid (linden); 6 – umbrella (pine); 7 – creeping (mountain pine); 8 – spherical (Siberian apple tree); 9 – weeping (white willow)

Rice. 36b. Shapes of shrub crowns:

1 – longitudinal-oval (spirea); 2 – spherical (Thunberg barberry); 3 – oval (park rose); 4 – spreading (Cossack juniper); 5 – creeping (horizontal cotoneaster); 6 – cone-shaped (thuja occidentalis)

Particularly attractive can be the variegated color of euonymus, barberry, maple, blue and silver in spruce, juniper, thuja, dark red, burgundy in autumn in chokeberry, barberry, and maidenhair grapes.

Flowering trees and shrubs - lilac, mock orange, apple tree, plum tree, cherry tree, honeysuckle, roses, rhododendrons - can become a special accent in the garden. Plants such as barberry, hawthorn, rowan, viburnum, cotoneaster, and snowberry are distinguished by their decorative fruits.

When designing trees and shrubs, it is important to consider the size and growth rate of plants, as well as their requirements for external conditions. Very fast-growing trees and shrubs give an annual growth of up to 2 m or more, fast-growing - 0.6 - 1 m, having moderate growth - 0.5 - 0.6 m, slow-growing - 0.25 - 0.3 m, very slow-growing - up to 0.2 m. It is better not to mix slow-growing and fast-growing species in compositions.

Rice. 37. Using contrast when designing tree and shrub plantings

The following methods for arranging tree and shrub plantings are distinguished.

Tapeworm- a free-standing tree or shrub. Used in clearings, islands, to complete park perspectives, as an accent on the turn of an alley, etc. The shape of the crown and the silhouette of the tree (shrub) are of key importance.

Rice. 38. Compositional types of tree groups

Group– a planting consisting of two to ten harmoniously combined trees or shrubs. Groups may consist of plants of one or more species. Characterized by a compact or loose structure, a contrasting or soft silhouette, contrast or nuance color combinations, static or dynamic forms. The center (core) of the group consists of one to three or more plants that occupy a dominant position in height, silhouette, and color. The compositional center of a group is not its geometric center. For the outer contour of the group, a picturesque outline is chosen, creating the impression of naturalness and the play of chiaroscuro. In the case of using shrubs, the group also includes an edge (except for the center and contour). The size of the plants decreases from the center to the edge. Groups are used as scenes to frame a perspective or any detail of a park landscape; they are placed along alleys and paths, at the turn of paths, etc. Groups of three trees are common, which are perceived equally from all sides and are built on the principle of an isosceles triangle. Paired tree plantings are also widely used - for example, spruce and birch, oak and birch, etc.

Array– plantings located in a compact mass and occupying a significant area. Consist of trees and shrubs of the same or different species. They can be single-tiered, two-tiered and multi-tiered, isolated (used to diversify the landscape) and dependent (to reveal the background). There is a main species (dominant), which occupies a leading position in size, shape and color, and an accompanying one, forming the outer contour of the planting.

Rice. 40. Examples of forming groups taking into account environmental requirements:

a, b – taking into account biological compatibility; c, d – taking into account growing conditions;

1 – Norway maple; 2 – spring maple; 3 – field maple; 4 – field spruce;

7 – Cossack juniper; 8 – black alder; 9 – white willow (weeping);

10 – common cherry; 11 – Crimean pine

Grove is a large massif occupying an area of ​​1–1.5 hectares.

Curtain– plantings of trees or shrubs of the same species, the size is determined by the purpose of the project and the size of the garden. Used to enhance contrast or enliven the landscape. Plants that are expressive and contrast with the main species or massif are planted in clumps. For example, in a birch forest, clumps of coniferous trees, oak, and linden are used.

For row plantings, choose trees with an even, straight trunk and a regular crown shape. The most common types of row plantings are alleys and hedges.

Alleys can be single-species or mixed, symmetrical and asymmetrical, using trees of contrasting height and shape.

Hedges– dense row plantings of trees, shrubs (or herbaceous plants), used for fencing areas, sidewalks, roads, for dividing a garden, park into zones, for protection from dust, noise, wind, etc. They can be clipped and free-growing, single-breed and combined, single-row, double-row and multi-row. High hedges have a height of more than 1.5 meters, medium ones - 0.5-1.5 m, low hedges (borders) - less than 1.5 m. To create high hedges, white poplar, black poplar, maple, spruce, fir, hazel, thuja, sea buckthorn, hawthorn, acacia, etc.; for medium-sized ones - lilac, mock orange, honeysuckle, golden currant, thuja, barberry; for low ones - barberry, cotoneaster, spirea, Japanese euonymus, mahonia, etc. When planting flowering bushes(lilac, jasmine, viburnum, rose hips, barberry, hawthorn, Japanese quince, etc.) select plants with different flowering times. The distance between rows is 1 - 2 m, in rows - from 0.5 m.

Rice. 41. Hedge from thuja occidentalis (columnar form)

To create open spaces, trees and shrubs should make up 5 - 10%, for semi-open ones - 50 - 60%, for closed ones - 90 - 100%.

When forming tree and shrub plantations, compositional, biological and environmental features plants. It is necessary to take into account the growth rate of plants in order to ensure decorative plantings over a long period of time.

Selection of trees and shrubs is one of the important stages of landscaping. Particular care should be taken to select plants that form the basis of green spaces (mass plantings in forest parks, parks, gardens, alleys, hedges, etc.), since errors made in the selection of species are discovered many years after planting and must be corrected very difficult.

Factors influencing plant selection :

The functional purpose of the object and compliance with this purpose of the basic biological and environmental properties of plants - growth rate, wind, gas, dust, smoke, salt resistance;

Requirements for lighting conditions, moisture supply, soils, thermal conditions, etc., resistance to pruning, durability;

Sanitary and hygienic properties of plants - the ability to absorb gases, dust, noise, create shade, influence the ionization and phytoncide of the air;

Windproof qualities;

The appearance and decorative qualities of plants - habit, size, density and shape of crowns, texture, color of foliage, needles and bark, shape of trunks and branches, color and shape of inflorescences and fruits, aroma of plants, duration and time of flowering (all of these parameters must be considered taking into account age and seasonal changes in plants).

In the selection of trees and shrubs to create holistic compositions, certain principles are followed.

Ecological principle

The basis for choosing plants is the correspondence of the existing growing conditions with those in which a particular species was grown. The zoning of the assortment of plants is used, which is based on the suitability of the species for cultivation in a given climatic zone. To do this, four factors are taken into account:

Sum of active temperatures for a period with temperatures more than 10 °C;

Growing season calculated from the date of temperature transition through 5 °C to the date of the first autumn frost;

Characteristics of winter based on the average temperature in January;

Atmospheric humidification based on the average annual ratio of precipitation in a given location to its evaporation rate.

Plants of the local flora and some introduced species from places with similar climatic conditions. In urban environments, it is important to choose species with the most effective impact on the environment from a suitable assortment.

The following breeds are more valuable:

- with high phytoncidal activity(common spruce, Siberian fir, common juniper, prickly spruce, English oak, Norway maple, silver and downy birch, Manchurian walnut, trembling poplar, bird cherry, common hazel, common barberry, Canadian serviceberry);

- ionizing air: English oak, common spruce, red maple, Siberian larch, rowan, common lilac, Scots pine.

- possessing sufficient gas-resistant and dust-retaining properties: small-leaved and large-leaved linden, Norway maple, prickly spruce; white poplar, Canadian poplar, brittle willow (the most dust-resistant species are those with sticky secretions and pubescent leaves).

Thus, the ecological principle requires the following conditions:

Correspondence of biological characteristics of plants to growing conditions.

Taking into account the influence of plants on the environment, i.e. phytoncidal, dust-, wind-, gas-, noise-protective and other properties of plants.

In terms of indicators of stability and longevity of a species in given natural conditions, tree and shrub species are divided into main, additional and limited assortments.

Main range- woody plants that are most resistant to urban conditions and are used in large quantities when creating large areas in parks and forest parks, planting in squares and boulevards, when landscaping streets and highways, as well as for intra-block landscaping. They are provided with a mother stock for mass reproduction and should be mandatory (available) in the assortment of nurseries supplying the capital with planting material. Their share in the total number of green spaces is 75-80%.

Representatives: weeping birch, downy birch, common spruce, small-leaved linden, European larch, rowan, laurel poplar, black, blood-red hawthorn, willow, caragana tree, gray alder.

Additional assortment t - less common species of trees and shrubs, which, due to the complexity of reproduction, biological characteristics and decorative qualities, are used in city landscaping in limited quantities. The decorative qualities of plants of this group are of significant value in single plantings and the formation of groups.

Representatives: large-leaved linden, black alder, aspen, Siberian fir, common pine, Siberian apple tree, red elderberry, white dogwood, common honeysuckle, edible, five-stamen willow, brilliant cotoneaster, Kuril tea, bush alder, fluffy, needle rose, Hungarian lilac, red and black currants, meadowsweet.

Limited assortment- species of trees and shrubs rarely used in landscaping, usually imported from abroad. These are plants that are not adapted to the climatic and environmental conditions of the landscaped area. The value of these species lies in the variety of forms and varieties, the unusualness of the species, which is of interest when forming landscape compositions of landscaping objects. However, the lack of source material for propagation and the lack of experience in growing and maintaining them in an urban environment determine their use in single copies.

Phytocenotic principle

This principle is based on taking into account the mutual influence of trees and shrubs, i.e. their compatibility in phytocenoses or compositions. Favorable and unfavorable relationships develop between plants.

There are allelopathic, biotrophic, phytophysical, mechanical, physiological and genetic mutual influence of plants.

Allelopathic the influence is determined by the biochemical nature of phytoncides and their concentration, manifested in the combination and proportion of certain species in the phytocenosis. For example, increasing the distance between common ash and English oak weakens the negative effect of ash on oak (Table 1).

Table 1. Interaction of trees and shrubs in mixed plantings

Caragana tree	Inhibits growth	Black currant, bird cherry
Silver birch		English oak, Scots pine, Siberian spruce
Red elderberry		Scots pine, balsam poplar
Rough elm		English oak
English oak		Rough elm, balsam poplar, downy ash, green, common
Siberian spruce		Tatarian maple, common lilac, wrinkled rose
Ash maple		Scots pine, green ash
Tatarian maple		English oak, white derain
Scots pine		Rough elm, English oak, trembling poplar, ash maple, downy ash, common bird cherry
Bird cherry		Caragana tree, Scots pine
Fluffy ash		English oak
Caragana tree	Improves growth	Trembling poplar, balsam
Ash maple		Turf white
Siberian spruce		Rowan ash, downy ash
Elf angustifolia		Fluffy ash
Siberian larch		Downy ash, English oak, small-leaved linden, Scots pine, rough elm
Common raspberry		Mountain ash

Combination of breeds biotrophic This feature makes it possible to improve the soil in coniferous plantations. The admixture of silver birch, small-leaved linden, and red elderberry promotes intensive circulation of nitrogen and ash elements, increasing the content of mobile nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil.

Breeds should be combined, taking into account the biophysical (phytophysical) influence. They do this in order to ensure maximum use of environmental resources (light, heat, moisture, etc.) and optimize the growth conditions of the main species by growing accompanying plants next to them. For example, Norway maple and small-leaved linden are excellent companions to pedunculate oak; Mountain ash is a companion species for Scots pine and birch. Associated rocks provide lateral shading, thereby stimulating the growth of the main rocks in height as a result of the closure and horizontal interaction of the crowns (Table 2).

Table 2. Combination of trees and shrubs according to phytophysical characteristics

Type of planting	Related breeds
	Siberian fir, Scots pine, trembling poplar, pedunculate oak, small-leaved linden, common hazel, silver birch
	Caragana tree, silver birch, common juniper, Norway maple
Larch	Tatarian honeysuckle, wrinkled rose, Siberian spruce, Nippon spirea, Siberian fir
	Small-leaved linden, Norway maple, field maple, Ussuri pear, bird cherry, common hazel, common viburnum
Bereznyak	Scots pine, Norway maple, Siberian spruce, Siberian fir, mock orange, Tatarian honeysuckle, cinnamon rose.

Mechanical the influence is manifested in the mutual clashing of tree crowns when they are swayed by the wind, as well as in mutual support.

Physiological(during the fusion of roots and organisms) and genetic(during pollination of flowers) plant interactions reflect the specifics of intraspecific and interspecific relationships, which also need to be taken into account when selecting breeds.

Taxonomic principle

It is based on the fact that in joint plantings of trees and shrubs of different species, but of the same genera, their decorative qualities are enhanced and emphasized (the shape of the trunk and crown, the nature of branching, the texture and color of foliage, bark, inflorescences and fruits), thereby creating artistic unity. So, among the Norway maple plantings, other types of maple also look great, and the same can be said about other species, especially conifers. The concentration of several forms of the same plant genus in certain areas of the park makes it possible to create compositions with special decorative expressiveness, for example, rose gardens, sirengarias, themed gardens of spireas, mock oranges, hawthorns, turfs, junipers, and willows.

Artistic and decorative principle

The selection of species is aimed at creating plant compositions that emphasize the best decorative qualities of certain plants, at achieving their best combinations in organic unity with the terrain and surrounding structures and making a green object a work of art.

The implementation of this task is achieved through the correct use of artistic design, subordination of parts, balance, rhythm, contrasts and nuances, perspectives, color and light, surrounding surfaces, proportionality of all parts that make up a single whole, i.e. through the correct application of the basic principles of constructing compositions of park landscapes.

Great value when forming compositional groups, it has color, it affects the selection of trees and shrubs, and chiaroscuro - on the compositional solution of the object, on its orientation, on the change of open, semi-open and closed spaces.

In addition to taking into account the above principles, one should take into account the availability of the assortment of interest in nearby nurseries of the given climatic zone where the designed facility is located.

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When landscaping various objects in cities, villages and even on personal plots, as well as when creating parks, in most cases, plantings are dominated by row plantings or arrays of one type of tree or shrub. The same picture, in most cases, is observed in the landscaping of administrative buildings. Although these types of plantings are classic, they look monotonous and static. Therefore, in modern landscape design of cities and household plots, decorative groups of trees and shrubs are increasingly used - groups of trees and shrubs that are diverse in species composition, forming a harmonious whole and placed separately from other plantings in an open area.

To create a harmonious composition, most of the plants that are included in the group must have one or more common features: crown shape, color, texture. To create a contrasting composition, plants of several species are used, but one of them must be dominant. Typically, decorative groups are formed from species of trees and bushes inherent in the flora of a given area. The most common, classic example of such a group is the planting of Scots spruce with warty birch, and Scots pine with birch. But in modern landscape design, the composition of the groups is represented by a wider range. And in order for the created group to be durable, stable and decorative, the following principles of plant selection should be adhered to.

Ecological principle. For normal development, plants need certain environmental conditions, and the discrepancy between these conditions leads to loss of decorativeness, even to their death. Therefore, when selecting plants, it is necessary to take into account the requirements of the species for the entire range of environmental conditions of the given territory (climate, soil fertility and acidity, humidity, lighting conditions, etc.) and it is clear that all types of plants that make up the group, for the most part environmental factors, must have identical requirements.

Phytocenotic principle. This principle provides for the grouping of plants in decorative groups as close as possible to their natural combination - phytocenosis (a natural collection of plants that grow together and are characterized by a certain composition and interaction)

It should be noted that phytocenoses created by nature in a specific territory are the best examples of stable groups. In this regard, nature is the best teacher

Decorative (physiognomic) principle. The basis of this principle is a harmonious, decorative, aesthetic combination of plants, taking into account their appearance, shape, texture and color. Such compositions are created according to the laws of painting.

Principles of constructing decorative groups. There are no clear rules for determining the number of plants in a group. There should not be many plants, but the minimum is three plants, because it is recommended to use an odd number. When the area of ​​the gardening area is small, such as when decorating an area near a house or office, it is recommended to use 3-9 to 11-15 plants; a larger number requires significant space. But no matter how many specimens you decide to plant together, the composition will be truly effective only when the elements that are selected correspond in size to each other and to the size of the group as a whole. This correspondence can be achieved using one of three principles of group construction: the principle of identity, the principle of similarity and the principle of contrast.

The principle of identity is based on the comparison of similar features. For example, when a group is created from different species that belong to the same genus of plants. Or, although from plants of different species, but similar in basic physiognomic and anatomical characteristics. Any symmetrical composition is a variant of identity.

The principle of similarity (nuance) characterizes very minor differences in the properties of the elements of a composition. This is one of the most difficult options because it requires perfect knowledge of the plants you are working with. In a composition based on the principle of similarity, attention is focused on the smallest differences in color or size of plants.

Contrasting compositions are created from plants that have different crown shapes, leaf colors and sizes. Plants with pyramidal, conical and columnar crown shapes in such compositions contrast with spherical, weeping and creeping ones. In groups built on the principle of contrast, color is very important. When creating contrasting compositions, you should take into account points known to all designers. Plants with flowers and leaves of warm colors (yellow, orange, red) appear juicier and fresher in the shade than in the sun; light-colored plants visually increase space, while dark-colored plants reduce space; Warm-colored plants appear closer than they really are, while cold-colored plants appear further away.

Placing plants in groups. The placement of trees and shrubs in groups is of great importance both for aesthetic perception and for the formation of a sustainable cultural phytocenosis as a whole. The distance between trees is designed taking into account the biological characteristics of each species. The attitude of plants in a group to light, the structure of the root system and the durability of the species are of great importance, so light-loving trees - birch, ash, pine - are planted at a distance of 5-7 m from one another. Shade-tolerant plants in groups (maples, lindens) can be planted at a distance of 2-3.5 meters. But shade-tolerant plants such as spruce and fir lose their decorative properties in insufficient light due to the loss of lower branches. Bushes are placed in groups depending on their size and relationship to light.

Thus, large shrubs (garden jasmine, lilac, viburnum, mackerel) are planted at a distance of 1-3 m from one another; medium (barberry, turf, forsythia) - 0.8-1.5; small (low-growing meadowsweet, juniper, cotoneaster) - 0.5-0.7 m. When placing shrubs under tree canopies, it is necessary to select shade-tolerant plants, such as red elderberry, blueberry, boxwood, turf, dogwood, snowberry, common honeysuckle and others. It is advisable to plant more light-loving shrubs at a greater distance from tree species. It is not recommended to plant bushes under the crowns and directly near the trunks of trees with a shallow root system (spruce, western thuja, etc.).

In general, as noted by the famous dendrologist L.I. Rubtsov, recommendations for the selection of plants in decorative groups can be reduced to the following provisions:

• Major species should be selected and grouped according to height, texture, shape and according to their environmental requirements;
• Deciduous trees should be used as subordinate conifers to highlight seasonal changes in color;
• Select groups of trees and individual specimens that should serve as an accent for the overall composition; in this case, you should carefully use plants with the original appearance;
• Plants must correspond to the size and scale of the composition;
• It is necessary to know the size of adult plants and the time when the plants will reach them;
• Agree on the lifespan of plants included in a certain composition;
• Do not use too many plant species in one composition. A group of a small number of species looks most impressive (law of simplicity);
• One species must dominate in the composition, and others must be subordinate to it (the law of dominance);
• Plants that are included in the composition must be in harmony, that is, be similar in color, shape, texture (law of harmony)
• The space allocated for plants should meet their requirements, and the needs of plants of different species in a group should not be antagonistic.

Taking into account the principles of constructing decorative groups, knowing perfectly the morphology and biology of plants, and their environmental requirements, it is possible to create highly artistic tree and shrub compositions. Such compositions will decorate the entrance part of private houses and administrative buildings, and will be appropriate both in a recreation area and as a separate element of landscaping in areas for various functional purposes. If you take decorative groups as a basis when creating an arboretum or a demonstration plot at a garden center, especially in small areas, this will make it possible not only to make them aesthetically attractive, but will also allow you to collect a significant collection of dendroflora, which, moreover, can serve as a queen cell to obtain seeds and cuttings for plant propagation in the nursery.