American ragweed is one of the most beautifully colored deciduous trees. It is a tree that cannot be passed by indifferently.Leaves turn fiery colors already in September and do not lose their blush for the next eight weeks.It is worth noting that the color of the ambergris is closely related to the quality of the substrate.
Paradoxically, the weaker and less fertile it is, the more beautifully the leaves color. This is the result of complex biochemical processes, which are the natural defense reaction of the tree as it tries to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In other words, the ragweed ends the season early to conserve energy for the winter.When it enters the dormant period, the green pigment (chlorophyll) disappears from the leaves.
However, carotenes and xanthophylls (present and earlier) remain in them and they create such a wonderful mosaic of colors. If the leaves start to discolor late and the process is short-lived, the garden soil is of good quality. Under natural conditions, the ambergris can grow up to 40 meters, in Poland up to 20 meters.
Garden varieties are even shorter, so they can be successfully planted in front of the house.We choose a sunny and sheltered place. We do not feed adult trees, and they do not need to be trimmed, unless we want to give them a shape of our choice. For example, a hedge can be established from low varieties.
Ambrowiec looks attractive even after the leaves fall. This includes due to the unusual, grooved bark of some varieties, and the fructification, which, similarly to the plane tree, stay on the tree all winter. First they are green, but after the season they turn brown.Young leaves are green, although, depending on the variety, they may be dull or glossy at times.
Characteristically, when rubbed, they give off a pleasant sweetish scent, similar to the scent of ambergris. It can also be felt after cutting branches, the American ambergris is also called balsamic for a reason.Its resin is used in medicine, cosmetics and food industry.
Wood is a desirable raw material for the production of exclusive furniture. Ragweed is resistant to diseases and pests.In the first years of cultivation, the tree may freeze, so its trunk should be covered with e.g. a straw mat for the winter.For small gardens, we recommend a five-meter-long 'Gumball' variety, creating a dense spherical crown that does not need to be trimmed to maintain its regular shape.
