Alder is the most common tree species in riparian forests, and it plays a crucial role in these stream- and loch-edge woodlands. As a deep-rooted species, it helps to maintain the soil in river banks and reduces the effects of erosion. Alder root systems which are exposed in the water can give shelter to fish and provide a safe refuge from predators.
What is special about alder trees?
The most notable features of all varieties of alder trees are their catkins and strobiles. Both male and female flowers (catkins) appear on the trees. As a monoecious species, alders self-pollinate. Female flowers begin developing as small, round green growths in the summer or fall before the next spring's bloom.
Are alder trees invasive?
Uses for common alder: NOTE: This tree is invasive in portions of the eastern and central United States. It is one of the choicest trees for wet conditions.
What is the lifespan of an alder tree?
Typically living less than 100 years, alder has a relatively short lifespan. So compared to other pioneer species like Douglas fir, which can often live to be 600 years old or more, alder is the “live fast, die young” tree of Pacific Northwest forests.
Is alder a fast growing tree?
Mature Common Alder. A popular tree of moist to wet soils, common alder is a moderate to fast-growing (two feet per year) deciduous tree which usually grows to 40 to 50 feet in height with a 20 to 40-foot spread and a 12 to 18-inch trunk but is capable of reaching 80 feet in height in the woods (Fig.
Do alder trees fall easily?
It is normal far small, and even fairly large, branches to die and drop, especially in alders. Healthy trees rarely just up and fall over, but a bad storm or combination of weather events can knock even a healthy tree over.
What kills alder roots?
Glyphosate is the most common herbicide used in controlling vegetation in the wet alder complex due to its broad efficacy spectrum.
Is alder poisonous to dogs?
Alnus glutinosa has no toxic effects reported.
What animals live in alder trees?
Wildlife: Speckled alder thickets provide cover for moose, white-tailed deer, rabbits, and others. Moose, muskrats, beavers, and rabbits browse the twigs and foliage. Songbirds, including redpolls, goldfinches, woodcock, and grouse eat the seeds, buds, and catkins. Beavers build dams and lodges with speckled alder.
Are alder trees strong?
Alder has the highest hardwood lumber grade among all hardwood species, achieving an impressive 83% clear face. Besides having a nice grain, Alder wood is also very lightweight (though strong).
Is alder stronger than oak?
Oak is harder than Alder. Both Alder and oak are hardwoods. But both red oak and white oak are harder, denser, and stronger than Alder wood.
Are alder trees good for the soil?
It makes a fantastic garden tree, particularly in areas of damp or poor soil, such as new housing estates. Alder tree roots lock nitrogen into the soil so can tolerate, and even improve poor soils.
Which is better maple or alder?
The cost for alder doors, whether for cabinets or doorways, is about mid-way between inexpensive pine and expensive hardwoods. The downside to alder is that it is much easier to dent and scratch than hardwoods like maple. As a hardwood, maple is durable and will stand up well to years of heavy use.
What is the most invasive tree?
1. Silver maple tree. Silver maple trees have incredibly shallow, fast-growing roots. They might be prized for their vibrant colour in autumn, but their root systems are one of the most invasive of all.
Is alder a good landscape tree?
Alder Trees Make a Great Landscaping Choice The many looks of the Alder tree makes it a desirable landscaping choice. If you want a fast growing tree, the Alder won't disappoint.
Are alder trees protected?
The tables highlight which species may not require individual protection whilst others planted in the area may; e.g. pioneer species such as alder, birch and hawthorn may not require protection, whereas slower growing climax species in the same mix such as ash, oaks etc may do so.
How does alder spread?
Unlike the large varieties found on pine, those on alder trees are tiny and the seeds are spread by the wind being often carried downstream to germinate on the waters edge elsewhere.
How tall is an alder tree?
Alder is a member of the birch family of trees, Betulaceae. It can reach 30 metres in height, although in Scotland it is rarely more than 20 metres tall. Like the birches, it is a pioneer species which grows quickly and is relatively short-lived. It can live to around 150 years old.
What is the relationship between alder and Frankia alni?
Alder has an important symbiotic relationship with a bacterium called Frankia alni. Frankia forms nodules on the tree’s roots and live within the nodules. This nitrogen-fixing bacterium absorbs nitrogen from the air and makes it available to the tree.
Why is alder important to fish?
As a deep-rooted species, it helps to maintain the soil in river banks and reduces the effects of erosion. Alder root systems which are exposed in the water can give shelter to fish and provide a safe refuge from predators. Alder foliage provides shade which is beneficial to fish , including salmon and brown trout.
How does alder help the bacterium?
Alder, in turn, provides the bacterium with carbon, which it produces through photosynthesis. This relationship allows alder to improve the fertility of the soils where it grows. As a pioneer species, it helps provide nutrients for the successional species which follow.
How big are alder buds?
The buds are 7 mm. in length. Alder is deciduous, and the new leaves open out in April. They are up to 10 cm. in size with a waved margin and are almost circular in shape. Sometimes they have a notch at the apex, and they taper to a slight point on the leaf stem.
What is the color of alder bark?
Alder bark is dark grey and fissured, while the young branches are smooth and greenish in colour. Branches are ascending in their growth form, and trees with two or three main trunks are common. The twigs are sometimes sticky to the touch.
Why is alder important to the Caledonian Forest?
Because it is the most common tree in riparian woodlands, which often form the ecological linkages between different forest patches, alder is an important species in the Caledonian Forest. Its survival and expansion is essential to the health of the land and rivers alike.
How do alder trees get their seeds?
The female flowers get pollinated by the wind and develop in small cone-like fruits. The fruits mature during the winter and come spring they open up and release their seeds into the wind. The fruits of the alder tree are not edible. They are nothing but wood cases full of seeds.
Why is alder oil used in herbal medicine?
Traditional Medicine: People into herbal medicine have always used alder oil to treat various ailments including diarrhea, muscle aches, and nausea. The heart-shaped leaves also offer relief to skin diseases.
How many different types of alder trees are there?
Alder Tree Varieties. Alder trees come in eight different species. Which variety you end up growing depends on your location, weather conditions, and how much space you have in your garden or lawn. Here are some of the most common alder varieties.
Why do alder trees have holes in their leaves?
Still, the leaf beetle feeds on and makes large holes in the leaves of the tree.
How long do alder trees live?
Known to live up to 60 years on average, the alder tree’s sense of secrecy hasn’t abated over time. Even in this day and age where the tree is most likely to be grown for its fine wood, one can’t help but get a mystical feeling when being around this giant tree.
What is the alder tree?
Steeped in mythology and folklore, the alder tree is formidable and awe-inspiring any way you look at it. Not the kind of tree too afraid to get its feet wet, the alder has been a permanent fixture of swamps, streams, and rivers. So it’s no wonder it has always been associated with mysteries and fairy tales in different cultures throughout the ages.
Why would people grow alder trees?
If neither the flowers of the alder tree are beautiful or fragrant nor the fruits edible, why would people grow these trees in the first place? Well, for one thing, they have top quality wood. And did we mention that humans, omnivores as they are, have found ways to add parts of the tree to their menu? Here are some common and historical uses of the alder tree.
What is the difference between birch and alder?
Alder trees are related to birch trees ( Betula ). The difference between alders and birches is their cones. Alder female flowers become woody conical cones that turn brown during the fall.
How to identify an alder tree?
Alder trees are easily identified by their brown hard, cone-like strobiles that dangle from bare brown-purple twigs that have orange markings. You can also spot alder trees by their light gray bark and orange-brown drooping flowers. Another identifying feature of the alder trees is their pointed egg-shaped green leaves with serrated edges.
What is the difference between a male and female alder tree?
Alder Tree Flowers. Alder male flowers (catkins) are long and slender whereas the female flowers turn to woody round cones (strobiles) An alder tree flower is a type of slender, conical flower cluster called a catkin. Alders are also monoecious trees—meaning they have male and female flowers on the same tree.
How tall is a red alder tree?
Its spreading branches create a conical shape with a slender, rounded crown. Red alder trees grow between 66 and 100 ft. (20 – 30 m) tall. The red alder tree is the largest in the genus Alnus.
What are the leaves on an alder tree?
Generally, alder tree leaves are egg-shaped blades with a central vein and parallel veins from the midriff to the serrated leaf edge. Some alder tree leaves have toothed edges and pointed tips, whereas others are rounded and smooth.
How long do alder trees live?
Generally, alders are fast-growing trees that live between 60 and 70 years. However, some alder trees live for up to 100 years.
How big do alder trees get?
Alder ( Alnus) is a genus of flowering deciduous trees in the family Betulaceae. There are about 35 alder species, comprising of large trees and smaller shrub-like trees. Many species of alders grow between 66 and 100 ft. (20 – 30 m) tall.
What family is an alder tree?
The 30 members of the genus are classified in the Betulaceae family, which is more commonly known as the birch family. The thin bark and light wood of the Alder tree make it obvious that this tree belongs with other Betulaceae species. The most notable features of all varieties of alder trees is its catkins and strobiles.
How did the black alder get its name?
Its Latin name, Alnus glutinosa, tips you off that this tree develops a gummy resin on new leaves and buds. Take note that this alder species can become invasive in some areas. 1 If you prefer the look of leaves that are dissected (divided into many sections), look for the 'Laciniata' and 'Imperialis' cultivars.
What is the color of the bark on an alder tree?
Also known as a speckled alder or mountain alder, this species is commonly seen in the Rocky Mountains of North America. These trees have smooth, gray bark and the underside of the leaves also has a gray appearance. While most other alder trees produce yellow catkins, this tree has reddish-purple catkins that appear each spring.
How tall is a white alder tree?
The white alder grows at a fast pace to about 30 feet in height, before slowly creeping towards its full maturation of 50 feet. Some of the tallest specimens of this species have been known to reach 100 feet. The tree gets its common name from its bark color, which ranges from white to gray. It's a good choice if you have a soggy spot in your yard or garden and it has deep green leaves with a fresh fragrance.
What is the name of the tree with gummy leaves?
Its Latin name, Alnus glutinosa, tips you off that this tree develops a gummy resin on new leaves and buds. Take note that this alder species can become invasive in some areas. 1 If you prefer the look of leaves that are dissected (divided into many sections), look for the 'Laciniata' and 'Imperialis' cultivars.
Why do alder trees fall green?
Green leaves fall from the tree as it prepares for dormancy. Since these trees are able to fix nitrogen in the soil, they can grow in less than fertile areas.
What is a serrulata tree?
This species is either a shrub or a small tree. It tends to clone itself through suckers, forming a dense thicket of alders if left unchecked. The species name serrulata refers to the margins of the leaves, which are toothed. Also known as a tag alder or swamp alder, these trees need consistently moist soil conditions and are most often found near a water source, like a river or stream. They are most prevalent in the eastern part of North America.
What is tree roots 101?
Tree Roots 101. The growth of tree roots is all about the search for nutrients and the support of the tree’s canopy. If either one of these missions fails, the tree is much more likely to die. Large trees have an even more significant substructure: primary roots that are perennial and secondary roots that grow in waves as the canopy is expanding.
What is the first root to grow?
The first root to grow of the primary roots is called the taproot, and it emerges as a radicle from a germinated seed. The taproot continues to grow as the tree matures.
What are the roots of a tree that grow outward?
Lateral Roots. Lateral roots are un-tapered, rope-like roots that grow outward and form a network to support the tree. These are the roots most common and abundant in many species. In addition, they are the roots most likely to break up the sidewalk and to be damaged by lawnmowers.
What happens if you don't have space for your tree roots?
If you don’t have space for your tree’s roots to grow adequately, you will always be fighting the root system and potentially damaging the tree. That is a big con.
When planting trees in your yard, is it important to consider tree roots and give them enough space to grow?
When making the decision on planting trees in your yard, it is important to consider tree roots and give them enough space to grow.
How many fine roots are there in a tree?
Lastly, there are many thousands of fine roots. This vast network of roots less than 2 millimeters in diameter grow and die off in waves as the tree matures.
Why are trees good for energy?
They lower our energy bills by providing shelter for our houses from the weather. Additionally, they change through the seasons, offering new beauty all the time. Lastly, most trees are relatively maintenance-free if they are planted in a good spot.
How deep do hornbeam roots grow?
Hornbeam tree root systems grow deep into the soil. These reach depths of about 6 feet in certain soil types. However, root penetration is impacted by soil conditions such as compaction or layers of rock underneath. In such cases, hornbeam roots won’t achieve desirable growth.
What are the conditions for tree roots to grow?
They consist mainly of growth-friendly conditions such as the following. Ideal conditions for root penetration include water, oxygen, and low soil compaction levels. In growing their root systems, trees thrive on soils with void spaces as well as sufficient moisture and oxygen.
What affects root penetration?
We’ve seen that root penetration or depth is affected by multiple factors. Whenever you encounter situations such as compacted soils or rocks underneath, root depth will be largely constrained.
How deep do sweet gum trees grow?
These trees are known to have a minimum root depth of about 36 inches or 91 cm. Being the minimal depth measured, roots of the sweet gum tree can go much deeper than this. Factors that could impact root depth include soil compaction, as well as genetics among several others.
What tree has the deepest roots?
The shepherd’s tree is among trees with the deepest documented roots. This knowledge was brought to life by groundwater drillers.
How big do Japanese pagodas get?
This enables the tree to thrive in harsh conditions. The Japanese Pagoda tree grows to about 12 to 23 meters in length. It bears alternate compound leaves each carrying about 7 to 17 leaflets.
What is soil layering?
Soil layering is an important factor that affects the development or penetration of tree roots. In other words, further downward growth of tree roots is likely to be impeded when they encounter a new layer. There are basically three layers; the topsoil, subsoil, and the C horizon.
How many stems per acre of red alder?
Conditions favorable for natural regeneration of red alder often produce an overabundance of seedlings (exceeding 100,000 stems per acre), and early precommercial thinning may be necessary to prevent stagnation or poor growth.
How long does it take for red alder logs to be processed?
Logs are also sold by weight or by the truckload. To prevent staining, red alder logs must be removed from the woods and processed within 6 to 8 weeks in the summer and 8 to 12 weeks in the winter.
What is red alder lumber used for?
Most of the high-grade lumber is used for furniture, cabinets, and turned products. Lumber prices have remained high and are competitive with prices for eastern hardwoods. Red alder lumber is marketed internationally, with strong markets in the Pacific Rim countries and in Europe, especially Italy and Germany.
Why are red alders not successful?
Plantations of red alder can be successfully established with a variety of seedling stocktypes, but many efforts have failed because of poor quality seedlings, extreme weather, and other hazards. Consistent success requires a careful evaluation of regeneration hazards, along with adequate seedling quality, and good site-preparation and planting practices. Red alder seedlings that will have the best survival rate, growth rate, and resistance to damage over a range of conditions are characterized as follows:
What is the family of alders?
Alders are members of the birch family (Betulaceae). Of the ten species of Alnus native to the United States, red alder is the only one that reaches commercial size and abundance. It is also the most common and important of the hardwoods in the Pacific Northwest.
How tall is a symlink?
Height of 12 to 36 in. and basal diameter (caliper) of at least 0.16 in. (4 mm) Stocky, rather than tall and thin Healthy buds or branches along the entire length of the stem, particularly the basal portion Full, undamaged fibrous root systems Free of disease.
How to distribute seeds in a small clearing?
Adequate distribution of seeds can be provided by well-distributed seed trees or a seed “wall” adjacent to the selected unit. Smaller clearings (less than 20 acres) with a seed source on at least two sides can regenerate well. Isolated seed trees left after harvest may not stand very long. Seed trees on the north side of a unit are preferable, since dispersal is accomplished primarily by drying north winds in the late fall and winter.
How tall does Scouler willow grow?
This willow grows as a small tree or shrub, and rarely attains a height greater than 12 meters. Get the Best Mortgage Rate for You | SmartAsset.com.
What trees are used to control erosion?
Some of the species that are used most often for erosion control on slopes are the Pacific and Scouler willows, the red alder, and the black cottonwood.
What is the purpose of Pacific Willow?
Pacific Willow. The Pacific willow (Salix lucida) is frequently used to stabilize slopes and control soil erosion , especially along streambanks. This tall, slender tree is fast-growing and quick to root, allowing it to take easily to uneven ground. The fibrous roots are deep and widespread, holding soil firmly in place.
What is the best tree to use for erosion control?
Red Alder. The red alder (Alnus rubra) is often used to control erosion on steep slopes and streambanks, as it roots deeply and produces a thick layer of leaf litter than enhances the soil. The red alder’s thick canopy further prevents erosion by shielding the soil below from direct rainfall.
What is the largest tree in the poplar family?
The black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), also known as the California poplar , is the largest species in the poplar family. This tree's rapid growth and aggressive root system help it to establish quickly in areas where the soil has been exposed or disturbed. The black cottonwood is commonly used to stabilize soils in logging areas or eroding streambanks. Growing up to 60 meters tall, the tree is the largest hardwood in western North America and a valuable source of timber.
Who is Ann Pedtke?
Ann Pedtke has been writing about science and the environment since 2001. Her work has appeared in "Isotope," "Green Prints," "The Hudson River Almanac," "The Conservationist" and other publications. Pedtke holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kenyon College and works in environmental education in New York City.
