Rosa Zabbarova: “It is necessary to care for seedlings not only one year, but five years”

(KZN.RU, June 17). Last year, the MUP “Gorvodzelenkhoz” planted 5 thousand trees and about 26 thousand shrubs in Kazan. As an experiment, the company's experts planted 25 decorative sakura trees. 24 volumetric flower arrangements made from annual flowers will decorate the streets of the city. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted that it was necessary to organize a seminar where specialists of the MUP “Gorvodzelenkhoz” could share their experience with other contractors, as well as attend specialized forums to keep abreast of the latest trends in urban greening.

Together with the landscaping of Kazan, it is necessary to pay great attention to the preservation of seedlings and the reconstruction of the green fund, said Rosa Zabbarova, the director of the MUP “Gorvodzelenkhoz”. According to her, the care of the seedlings should be maintained for five years, while the annual maintenance of one tree costs 1.5 thousand rubles. “Seedling should be observed for 5 years, not one. Only this way they are guaranteed to take root”, she said. I am sure that the funds allocated for these purposes will allow avoiding losses that are inevitable with the constant replacement of dead plants or compensation for damage”.

The speaker also added that the increased load on green areas in city parks leads to an increase in the volume of garbage, frequent breakdowns of small architectural forms, sports and children's equipment, as well as rapid lawn wear. Green areas require more frequent and high-quality care under these conditions. “The demand for washing bins, cleaning tracks, and taking out the garbage is multiplying. At the same time, we see that the level of citizens' demands for the state of the urban environment has increased. But the demand for green areas of the city dictates the need to adjust the tariffs upwards”, said R. Zabbarova.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted the importance of the issues raised and explained that the issues are under development. “We are completing the audit/ With these documents we will go to the Center for Economic and Social Research of the RT under the Cabinet of Ministers of the RT, Ministry of Finance of the RT, where we will present these positions. This is a work that is associated with a shortage of funds, but it is common. Nevertheless, we continue to move. The republic allocates more and more funds for this every year. Kazan meets summer every year with a new number of flower arrangements”, said the Mayor of Kazan.

For the last 8 years, large-sized trees have been planted in Kazan, special preference is given to flowering ornamental species. “Since 2017, nearly 1300 apple trees have been planted in the city, which this year have already aroused great interest among the citizens”, said Rosa Zabbarova, the director of the MUP “Gorvodzelenkhoz”. She added that, in general, the principle of terraced gardening is used for landscaping.

Unfortunately, not all seedlings successfully take root. First of all, it concerns compensatory plantings and trees planted during subbotniks, said R. Zabbarova. “It’s not enough to plant a seed, it needs to be taken care of. Especially large-sized plants, which, on the one hand, improve the environmental situation more quickly, but on the other hand, require more thorough care”, explained R. Zabbarova. The trees need wells for watering, fertilizing, chemical treatment of diseases and pests, loosening the soil, cutting and trimming the crown. According to experts, all of this must be done 3-4 times a year.

Birch, linden, maple, spruce, mountain ash, as well as various types of shrubs are grown in the greenhouse of the MUP “Gorvodzelenkhoz”, located in Mirny. Rare species of plants are bought from other suppliers.

This year, 25 ornamental sakura trees were planted as an experiment in Kazan. If the plant successfully survives the winter, then it will be used in landscaping the city.

R. Zabbarova said that last year, the MUP “Gorvodzelenkhoz” conducted a green reconstruction of Kremlevskaya Street, where trees of different species and different ages grew. “First of all, we transplanted all viable plants to other areas in need of gardening, and replaced them with varieties of Pallida lindens, adapted to our climate conditions”, said Z. Zabarova. She added that other old streets of Kazan also need a similar green reconstruction.

According to experts, a tree growing in a large city requires replacement once every 30 years. Mature trees become dangerous to others during hurricanes and natural disasters. They are cut down by the duty crew of the MUP “Gorvodzelenkhoz”. Tree care specialists of “Gorvodzelenhoz” cover all 143 parks and squares of the city.

As part of the program “Blooming Kazan”, the number of flowers increases every year on the streets. Thus, in 2018, the area of equipped flower gardens was 24 thousand square meters, about 4 thousand flowerpots were placed. “We grow seedlings of annual flowers in our own greenhouses and purchase approximately 25% of the total volume from other producers. Our greenhouses don’t have enough space for annually increasing needs of the city”, said R. Zabbarova.

Also, the installation of volumetric flower figures continues in Kazan. This year, 11 more new flower arrangements will be added to the 13 traditional ones. “Each composition is developed by our architects in the winter period, and then all aspects of the project are calculated. Despite the fact that flower figures always seem to be very light, their volumes require the preparation of a good base”, said R. Zabbarova.

Thus, figures of hearts and gigantic balls appeared at the walls of the Kazan Kremlin. The installation of a white dove at the River Port is being completed, and a new composition “Walk of Miracles” will complement the flower tree at the Puppet Theater “Ekiyat”.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted that the number of plants in Kazan is increasing every year. It makes the city even more comfortable and environmentally friendly. “We set new standards and achieve results. Thanks to the Government of the Republic, Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, for the funds allocated for the greening of the city. We set ourselves the task of making Kazan the most well-equipped, comfortable and environmentally friendly city. Green plantings and flower decorations are the main tasks on the way to achieving these goals”, said I. Metshin.

He noted the great experience of the specialists of Gorvodzelenhoz that would be useful to share at seminars with other contractors, as well as the need to attend specialized forums in order to keep abreast of the latest trends in urban landscaping and apply them on the city streets.