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Alnus cordata - Desf.

Explode Seed
Common Name Italian Alder Germination
Vortex Magnetic
Family Betulaceae Water Energizer
Guaranteed
Increase in Yield
Synonyms A. cordifolia. www.fractalwate r.c

Known Hazards None known

Native Trees
Very rarely self-sown in Britain, but and Shrubs
Habitats not naturalised.
(c ) 2010 Ken Fern, Plants For A Future Reserve for
Spring or Fall
Europe - S. Italy, Corsica. delivery 100+
Range species shipped
to your door
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Edibility Rating Shrink Wrap

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Summary
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Alnus cordata is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast

rate.
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in leaf 12-Apr It is in flower in March. The flowers are
monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can
be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind.It can fix Nitrogen.

Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay
and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or
wet soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy; Hedge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

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medicinally.

None known

Other Uses
Hedge; Pioneer; Shelterbelt.

An excellent windbreak for maritime areas[75], it grows quite quickly and establishes well even in very windy sites[K]. Trees 5 years old from seed have reached 4
metres in height and are showing no signs of wind-shaping in a very exposed site in Cornwall[K]. This is an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands
on disused farmland, difficult sites etc. Its fast rate of growth means that it quickly provides sheltered conditions to allow more permanent woodland trees to become
established. In addition, bacteria on the roots fix atmospheric nitrogen - whilst this enables the tree to grow well in quite poor soils it also makes some of this
nitrogen available to other plants growing nearby. Alder trees also have a heavy leaf canopy and when the leaves fall in the autumn they help to build up the humus
content of the soil. Alder seedlings do not compete well in shady woodland conditions and so this species gradually dies out as the other trees become
established[K].

Cultivation details
Thrives on poor and dryish soils, even on chalk, but prefers to be near water[11, 200]. Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[1, 11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
Tolerates very infertile sites[11, 200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and
fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. A very ornamental
tree[1], it is very fast growing, reaching 12 metres tall in 20 years in an exposed maritime position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall[75]. Very tolerant of salt winds, it
establishes rapidly in exposed positions[75]. According to World Economic Plants, the correct author of this species is (Loisel.)Loisel. and not Desf. as we have given
here. However, since all our other sources have quoted Desf., we have decided not to alter it at this time (1999)[K].

Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[200]. Spring sown seed should also germinate successfully so long as it is not
covered[200, K]. The seed should germinate in the spring as the weather warms up. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If
growth is sufficient, it is possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in pots outdoors and plant them out in the
spring. If you have sufficient quantity of seed, it can be sown thinly in an outdoor seed bed in the spring[78]. The seedlings can either be planted out into their
permanent positions in the autumn/winter, or they can be allowed to grow on in the seed bed for a further season before planting them. Cuttings of mature wood,
taken as soon as the leaves fall in autumn, outdoors in sandy soil.

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Expert comment

Author
Desf.

Botanical References
1150200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[75]Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges.
A small booklet packed with information on trees and shrubs for hedging and shelterbelts in exposed maritime areas.
[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
phil corbett Mon Jun 30 11:37:36 2003
Self-seeding: seeding frequent in Notts, UK, where it is often seen as seedlings in bare soil and at base of walls, etc

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