ALNUS
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ALNUS
Commonly known as European alder, Grey alder
Trees found on poor or wet soils throughout the northern hemisphere. Produces conspicuous male catkins and smaller female ones which develop into cone-like fruits. Some make excellent windbreaks.
Genus of about 35 species of deciduous trees and shrubs.
Alders are pioneer tree species and used for land reclamation. Their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil improves fertility for species following them.
Other uses include firebreaks and for the bodies of Fender electric guitars.
The majority of pilings on which Venice was built was alder wood.
The UK alder, glutinosa, is a useful wildlife plant. Caterpillars feed on the leaves, the flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects, the seeds are eaten by birds, especially redpolls and siskins, and the roots provide holts for otters.
Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
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Floweringlocal_floristJanlocal_floristFeblocal_floristMarlocal_floristAprlocal_floristMaylocal_floristJunlocal_floristJullocal_floristAuglocal_floristSeplocal_floristOctlocal_floristNovlocal_floristDec
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Pests & Diseases
Phytophthora root rot -
Place of origin
Europe, Caucasus -
Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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DeciduousLeaves to 10cm (4in) long, pale green in summer.
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Fully hardy
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Height
10m (33ft) -
Spread
5m (16ft)
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TreeProduces clusters of 3 or 4 pendent, male catkins to 10cm (4in) long in winter and early spring before the leaves. Produces ovoid fruit 1.5cm (½in) long in summer.
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Hardy - very cold winter
Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe. Plant can possibly withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F) -
Fertile well drained soil
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Full sun
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Broadly conical
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Rabbit Resistant
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Mature Size10m (33ft)
5m (16ft)
View Planting Tips and Care Advice
Alnus - Growing Guide
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tidying young trees in October - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
