Alder: shrub or tree, plant application. Alder: medicinal properties and use in traditional medicine Alder tree description and properties

1. Description
2. cultivation
3. Application

Everyone knows what an alder looks like. Inconspicuous in appearance, but it is a real harbinger of the onset of spring. When all the trees are still with bare black trunks, catching melancholy and sadness, the alder is already blooming with might and main. It is with flowering that the life cycle of this tree begins, then young leaves begin to appear. Alder is a deciduous tree,. Depending on the location, it can be in the form of a tree or shrub.

Description

Shoots of a young plant have a cylindrical shape with a greenish core.

Kidneys grow on legs, have two scales. Alder leaves grow in the next order, the shape of the leaf is whole lobed, sometimes serrated along the edges. The shape of the leaf can vary - from round or slightly oblong to elongated.

Flowering occurs with monoecious flowers that have the shape of fluffy earrings - the birch family has such a distinctive feature. In this case, the stamens are formed on top of the shoot in the form of long catkins, and the pistils are formed in the lower part and have the form of small spikelets.

A distinctive feature of the alder is that it blooms even before or simultaneously with the beginning of the blooming of the leaves. Due to this, pollen is better carried by the wind.

Inflorescences are formed during the year preceding flowering, while at different times: female, staminate - begin to form in the middle of summer (about 5-6 months in duration), male, pistillate - from autumn (1-2 months are formed).

During the formation of inflorescences, male flowers are formed in the amount of 3 pieces, less often - one in the form of an earring. Female flowers are formed in pairs, at the bottom of the shoot.

The fruit is a hard woody cone, characteristic of the alder. Among the many trees in the forest, alder can be recognized precisely by these cones.

The trunk is usually slender, covered with smooth bark on the outside.. The density of the wood is low.

Alder can be distinguished from other trees by the following parameters:

• begins early flowering;
• has earrings;
• there are small bumps on the shoots.

Alder grows in the temperate zone, prefers rich and moist soil, but can grow in both dry and clay soil.

Kinds

Depending on the terrain and living conditions, it can have any number of different forms. You can find more than a hundred different species - trees and shrubs. On the territory of Russia, 2 of these species are most often found - this is sticky black and gray, namely:

• Black look. The name is due to the leaves having a sticky element, and due to the fact that the trunk is black. In Greek myths, this species was described as a harbinger of spring. Description: This species is capable of rapid growth, often reaching a height of 20 meters. It grows in the forest, most often lonely, plants of other species do not grow nearby. The plant begins flowering in mid-spring. The fruits are small black cones. photophilous and loves moist soil, so it can often be found in moist places. Often this species is combined, forming alder thickets. It is considered an endangered species in some regions of Russia. Planted along reservoirs, the plant adorns parks and squares.

• Another type of tree - gray alder - can be easily distinguished from other trees. The appearance of the tree (pictured) does not look like its "black" relative - it has a slightly curved trunk with a bark that has a gray tint, while the leaves of the tree also have a gray color. When flowering produces brownish earrings. During the flowering period, the tree looks very elegant and unusual. Unlike its other counterparts, the gray species is unpretentious to habitats - it lives even on poor soils and in wetlands. It has great resistance to frost and windy weather. Young shoots grow rapidly, often forming dense thickets of trees and shrubs. This property of trees is often used for industrial purposes - trees are planted along the banks, thereby additionally securing them from falling off.

In addition to these, there are also other species that are widespread throughout Russia. Among them, one can single out such a species as shrub alder or Siberian alder. Such plants are small trees with a maximum height of up to 6-8 meters. They live mainly in the Siberian part of Russia and the Far East.

Most species of this tree begin flowering in early spring - from April to May. As noted above, flowering begins before the leaves bloom. Flowers - long earrings and small black bumps.

cultivation

Although alder is often considered a weed tree, this is far from being the case. This opinion is formed because of the wood of the tree. Alder wood is often small, crooked, and difficult to use for industrial purposes. However, some species of this tree do well in unpretentious conditions, which is an excellent property for breeding nurseries or starting a forest.

So, for example, gray alder lives in any area and on any soil. In addition, a large amount of nitrogen accumulates on its roots in tubers, which gradually settles into the ground and is able to restore the fertility of the soil around it.

Growing alder trees and shrubs is fairly easy. The seeds of the plant germinate easily. Alder cones are quite hard, which prevents them from scattering during the collection of seeds, this excludes the ingress of foreign impurities into them.

It should be noted that black alder is much more difficult to grow. The tree loves only moist soil rich in mineral elements, and almost does not grow on poor, depleted soil with insufficient moisture, therefore such a tree is unsuitable for breeding a nursery, it is often planted along the banks of rivers and reservoirs.

Growing alder - benefits:

• some species are unpretentious to the soil, which allows you to plant trees in any area;
• easy to collect seeds;
• begins early flowering;
• due to the accumulation of nitrogenous formations on the roots, it is able to improve soil fertility.

Application

Trees of the alder family have medicinal and healing properties. Cones from trees have anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties, which are used to prepare various medicines. The elements contained in the leaves and bark of trees have a detrimental effect on various types of protozoan microorganisms. Therefore, parts of the tree can be used to make remedies for skin diseases - eczema, psoriasis, and various fungi.

Alder cones have also found their application in the medical field.. Tinctures and decoctions of them are used in the event of colitis, dysentery, as an astringent for gastric or intestinal bleeding. Due to their astringent properties, alder leaves and cones are used in the treatment of burns, nose and mouth bleeding, stomach ulcers, and various skin inflammations.

The healing properties of alder were known to our ancestors. A decoction of alder leaves has long been used as a diaphoretic for colds. It can also be used to make wonderful relaxing foot baths.

Industrial use

The use of alder for industrial purposes is quite wide:

• although alder wood is not very durable, it is quite soft and pliable, which makes it much easier to work with it for industrial purposes;
• alder does not lead to the formation of cracks, and therefore this material is often used for the manufacture of musical instruments;
• has a small and soft wood, due to which the wood material is widely used by wood carving artists;
• alder products gain strength over time, wells, barrels, underground structures are made from it;
• alder wood products are widely used - from decorative panels and caskets to furniture;
• The construction world of materials also makes extensive use of alder wood - for interior decoration or furniture.

In conclusion, it is worth noting the relatively low cost of wood, which affected its wide application in industry.

Despite the fact that there is still snow on the street, alder is blooming - a photo of a tree and leaves of which speak of the imminent warming and the onset of spring.

The flowers are rather inconspicuous, and the leaves bloom only after flowering.

However, the tree always pleases the eye with its beauty and rich hues.

Feature and description

Alder belongs to the birch family, reaches 20 m in height. It has alternate, toothed leaves.

The plant blooms in early spring before the leaves bloom, pollinated by the wind. The flowers of the tree resemble earrings, and the fruits are single-seeded nuts with two wings.

It is important to know: the tree has a widely branched root system, so it can be used to fix ravines and rivers.

The tree has a slender trunk covered with smooth bark. Alder leaves remain green even in late autumn and fall off only with the onset of frost.

growing environment

Alder grows in swamps, in places with high humidity, near rivers and reservoirs. Most often found in the Urals, Western Siberia, forest and forest-steppe zone of the European part of Russia.

Alder's neighbors can be oak, linden, aspen, birch, as well as spruce trees.

Kinds

Around the world, there are about 40 species of wood. Only a few of them are common in our state, the most popular of which are gray and black alder.

gray alder

This species is distinguished by an uneven trunk and gray bark. It can reach 20 meters in height. The flowering period can be determined by the presence of brownish earrings. The foliage is grayish in color, slightly pointed at the top.

The tree is resistant to frost and strong winds. Due to its unpretentiousness, it feels great even on poor soil. The most important factor is sufficient sunlight.

black alder

The plant has a dark bark with cracks formed, the leaves are distinguished by an obovate shape.

This species grows up to 35 m, loves moisture and running water, will not grow in a swamp. Black alder is famous for its pink wood with a smooth overflow, due to which it is widely used for industrial purposes.

Interesting to know: The black alder species got its name due to the shiny sticky leaves and black bark.

In addition to these species, in the east of Russia you can find green, Siberian, fluffy and shrubby alder.

cultivation

The plant is unpretentious, so planting is possible anywhere, including sandstones. The tree has the ability to fertilize the soil with environmentally friendly nitrogen.

Planted in the usual way during the vegetative period. The cones of the plant should be collected in the autumn and stored in the fresh air until they open.

Seeds are separated using a sieve, after which they can be planted immediately or set aside for the time being. Seeds can be stored for no more than 4 months at t ° 1-5 ° C.

When planting, in order for the tree to take well, it is recommended to prepare a certain substance.

For gray alder:

• sand;
• turf;
• peat;
• lime - 200 g;
• Kemira wagon - 150 g.

For black alder:

• sand;
• peat;
• humus;
• kemira - 150 g.

Everything needs to be mixed in special proportions, which can be found at specialized points.

Care

Alder should be watered only during the dry season, after which you need to loosen the soil. From time to time, you need to loosen the soil so that the earth is not overly clogged.

Good to know: young seedlings need additional moisture, regardless of the weather.

The plant needs mulching. To do this, it is better to use peat or wood chips, laid in a layer of 5 cm.

Pests and diseases

Corrosive woodworm pests are of great danger to alder, their larvae eat young shoots and tree bark.

The female catkins of the plant can be affected by a fungus of the genus Tafrina, after which leaf-like growth is observed in the scales.

Mushroom of the genus Taphrin

Take note: the affected branches, as a rule, cannot be saved, and they are simply cut off.

There are also fungi that grow on the leaves themselves, due to which they are covered with spots, and the surface becomes wrinkled. Fungi and other destructive organisms are destroyed by the use of poisons.

reproduction

The culture multiplies quite quickly. In a year, shoots from stumps can grow several meters.

Over time, growing, they form impenetrable jungle. Despite this, the plant mainly propagates by seed.

The tree is pollinated in the spring with swelling and stretching of the earrings, releasing a lot of yellow pollen out.

Keep in mind: alder propagates by cuttings, seeds and offspring, depending on the type of plant.

Fertilization occurs when the pollen reaches the red female flowers on nearby trees. After a while, cones with plant seeds are formed in them.

Application

Alder has a fairly wide application in various industries, namely:

• the production of musical instruments, since the material does not form cracks during drying;
• when in contact with water, wood becomes more durable, therefore it is used to build wells or barrels;
• production of decorative furniture due to beautiful color and texture;
• when smoking meat and fish, it is preferable to use the wood of the plant;
• the black look is used to make dyes for cloth and leather.

It is important: alder is widely used in medicine. Cones and tree bark are recommended to be applied to a sore spot. Also, on their basis, decoctions and alcohol infusions are prepared. Baths with the leaves of the plant will help relieve tired legs and have a relaxing effect.

Alder has many characteristics and useful properties, in connection with which wood is increasingly used in the manufacture of various items, as well as for the treatment of various kinds of ailments. It is widely used in industry, due to its ease and pliability in processing, without forming serious defects.

About the holy alder tree, see the following video:

Their height under favorable conditions can reach 35-40 m, the maximum trunk diameter can reach 50-60 cm. The crown is well developed, dense, highly decorative, ovoid, narrow pyramidal, cylindrical or other shape. The bark is smooth, sometimes fissured, from light to dark brown.

Shoots are cylindrical, of different colors, glabrous or pubescent, with an irregularly triangular greenish-gray core, rounded or almost rounded light lenticels. The alder genus is variable in hairiness and glandularity, and the difference can be both between species and within a species. Kidneys sessile or pedunculated, with two scales, resinous or pubescent. Leaves only on growth shoots, alternate, petiolate, simple, entire, occasionally slightly lobed, usually serrated or lobed-toothed along the edge, with early falling stipules. The shape of the leaf is different - from almost round, ovate, obovate to lanceolate. The venation is pinnate.

Male and female flowers are monoecious, developing on the same shoot. Alder usually blooms before the leaves bloom or at the same time, this facilitates pollination, as the alder is pollinated by the wind. When growing outside plantations, alder begins to bear fruit from 8-10 years, in plantations - from 30-40 years. Fruiting is almost annual, but fruitful happens every 3-4 years.

Alder propagates by seeds, all species give numerous stump shoots, and some give root offspring. The ability for vegetative reproduction varies from species to species and between members of the same species. The fruits are single-seeded, flattened, small nuts with two lignified stigmas, bordered by a narrow leathery or membranous wing, located in small woody cones, into which female inflorescences turn. Seeds are dispersed by wind and water, beginning in autumn and may continue until spring. After the seeds have taken off, the cones remain on the tree for a long time.

Representatives of the genus alder are predominantly moisture-loving plants; they grow along the banks of rivers, streams, lakes, in grassy swamps, at the foot of hills, often confined to rich, well-drained soils. Black alder and gray alder are soil-improving species, as nodules with nitrogen-fixing organisms are located on their roots. The leaves of these alder species are high-ash, contain a large amount of nitrogen, alder leaf litter increases soil fertility, making it more loose. The root system is superficial, but powerful, as it is well developed, especially in the upper layers of the soil. Many species of alder are pioneers; they are the first to populate conflagrations, clearings, mountain outcrops, abandoned pastures, and then are replaced by other tree species.

The habitat of alder covers the cold and temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere, the range of some species reaches Chile in South America along the Andes, and in Asia to the mountains of Bengal and the mountains of North Vietnam. In the northern part of the range, alder is an admixture of coniferous forest stands; in the north of the range, some species reach the tundra; in the mountains, they reach the subalpine belt. In the southern part of the range, alder is part of the beech and hornbeam forests.

Alder solid (Alnusfirma) - a tree or shrub up to 3 m in height with flexible branches. Shoots grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, pubescent. The kidneys are sessile. Leaves ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, with 12-18 pairs of veins, 5-12 cm long, 2.5-5 cm wide, pointed at apex, with a rounded or unequal base, pubescent along the veins below; petioles pubescent, 0.4-1.3 cm long. Staminate catkins solitary or paired, 5-7 cm long, bloom in March-April. Cones also solitary or paired, 2 cm long, on pubescent legs up to 2-5 cm long. It has several decorative forms. Natural range: Japan. In St. Petersburg, it is not winter hardy enough; it should be tested in areas south and west of Moscow.

Alder hanging (Alnuspendula) - a tree up to 8 m in height or a shrub with a weeping crown. Young shoots are pubescent, becoming smooth, brick-brown with age. Buds sessile, leaves oblong-lanceolate, 5-12 cm long, with 18-26 pairs of veins, pointed, pubescent along the veins below. Cones 8-15 mm long, collected 2-5 in hanging racemes 3-6 cm long. Natural range: Japan. Introduced to the USA in 1862.

Alder bush (Alnusfruticosa) in the northern parts of the range, especially in the tundra, a squat and even creeping shrub with shortened and twisted branches; in the southern parts of the range in Siberia and the Far East - a tree reaching a height of 6 m. A beautiful ornamental large-leaved shrub that can be used in landscaping as a shrub that retains green leaves for a long time in autumn. The bark is dark gray, young shoots are reddish-brown with yellowish lenticels. Leaves are broadly ovate, evenly tapering upward, sharp, with a rounded or unequal base, 5-10 cm long, 3-7 cm wide, with 8-10 pairs of veins, dark green above, glossy or matte, glabrous, paler below , in the lower part along the veins with reddish hairs. Staminate catkins 3.5-6 cm long, bloom simultaneously with the deployment of leaves. Cones are oval, 1.2-2.0 cm long, collected in racemes with 1-3 leaves at the base. Blooms from late April to June, in the tundra even in July. Range: northern regions of the European part of Russia. It grows in the north on riverine sands, along forest edges, in deciduous forests. In the southern regions of the range - in mountain valleys, on pebbles, along gravelly slopes and stony screes, it reaches the size of a tree of medium height there.

A close view is green alder (Alnusviridis), common in the mountains of Western Europe. This tree is up to 20 m high. The bark is smooth, ash-gray, the young branches are brown and grayish-green, the shoots are brick-brown with light lenticels. The leaves are oval-ovate, evenly tapering upwards, sharp, with a rounded base. Known in culture in St. Petersburg, in the park of the Forestry Technical University, where it bears fruit, as well as in Moscow, Tallinn and Tartu.

Alder Manchurian (Alnusmanshurica) - a tree reaching a height of 15 m, with a trunk up to 25 cm in diameter, less often a tall sprawling shrub. The bark is smooth, dark gray. Buds sessile, leaves 7-8 cm long, 2.5-8 cm wide, broadly elliptical with a short obtuse cusp, glabrous, lateral veins 7-9 pairs. Staminate catkins bloom at the same time as the leaves. Blooms in May. Natural range: Far East (Primorsky Territory), China (Manchuria), Korea. It grows along the banks of rivers on sandy or rocky soil.

Olkha Maksimovich (AlnusMaximowiczii) - tree up to 10 m in height. The bark on the trunk is gray with rounded lenticels, the shoots are light brown with numerous lenticels. Buds sessile, leaves broadly or rounded ovate, 7-10 cm long and 7-8 cm wide, with a wide heart-shaped base, lateral veins 7-10 pairs; petioles 1-3 cm long. Cones 1.5-2 cm long, on legs. Blooms in May-June. Range: Far East (Primorsky Territory, Sakhalin), Northern Japan. It grows along the banks of streams and rivers. In St. Petersburg, it is quite winter-hardy.

Alder Kamchatka (Alnuskamtschatica) - a tree or shrub, 1-3 m in height, with a thick main trunk, pressed to the soil, with ascending, straight branches, forming a dense crown. In culture, it usually grows in a wide bush, without forming the main trunk. The bark is dark gray with lighter, larger lenticels. Buds sessile, highly resinous, pointed, 0.5 cm long. Leaves are ovate, dark green above and lighter below, short-pointed, rounded at the base, 5-10 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, with 8-9 pairs of veins; petioles 1-2 cm long. Blossoms before the appearance of leaves, at home in May-June, in St. Petersburg - in May. Cones are oval, dark brown, 12 mm long, collected in brushes of 3-5 pieces. The fruits ripen in autumn and fall off in winter and spring. Natural range: North-Eastern Siberia, Far East (Kamchatka, Okhotsk coast, Northern Sakhalin). It grows on mountain slopes and stony placers, in the undergrowth of birch forests, in river valleys, in the mountains it forms an alder belt, at the upper border of the forest it becomes a squat shrub with small foliage. The bark and leaves are used to make a dye that colors the skin. In St. Petersburg, it grows well in the park of the Botanical Garden, blooms and bears fruit. Due to its decorative crown and unpretentiousness, it can be widely used in landscaping the northern regions of the forest zone.

Alder cut (Alnussinuata) - a tree up to 12 m high, with a narrow crown and almost horizontal branches, or a shrub. Decorative due to large green foliage. It grows quite satisfactorily on cold and swampy soils. Shoots in youth with pubescence, buds sessile, leaves ovate, 6-12 cm long, pointed, with a rounded or broadly wedge-shaped base, sharp-toothed, light green above and paler below, with 5-10 pairs of veins, glabrous or pubescent along midrib, sticky when young; petiole with groove, 1.5-2 cm long. Flowers bloom at the same time as the leaves or later. Cones about 1.5 cm long, 3-6 in racemes on thin legs, up to 2 cm long. Natural range: North America - from Alaska to Oregon. Pretty stable in St. Petersburg.

Alder heart-shaped (Alnuscordata) - a tree reaching a height of 15 m, young shoots are sticky, later brick-brown, bare. Buds on legs, leaves almost round or broadly ovate, 5-10 cm long, with a deeply heart-shaped base, shortly pointed or rounded at the top, dark green and shiny above, lighter below, pubescent along the veins when young, petioles 2-3 cm in length. Anther catkins collected 3-6 in a brush, each 2-3 cm long. Cones erect, ovoid, 1.5-2.5 cm in length. Range: Italy and Corsica. Decorative rounded crown and glossy leaves, similar to pear leaves. Grows near water bodies. Introduced into culture in England in 1840.

Alder heart-leaved (Alnussubcordata) - a tree 15-20 m high or a shrub. Shoots pubescent, reddish-brown, with light lenticels. Kidneys on legs, pubescent, ovoid, obtuse. Leaves are round to oblong-ovate, 5-16 cm long, 4-11 cm wide, pointed at the apex, with a heart-shaped or rounded base, slightly sticky, finely serrated, glabrous above, dark green, pubescent along the veins and with barbules of hairs in the corners of the veins; lateral veins 10-12 pairs. Staminate catkins collected 3-5 in terminal racemes. Cones axillary, single or paired, oval-elliptical, 2.5 cm long and 1.3 cm wide. Natural range: Caucasus, Iran. In broad-leaved forests of the lower zone, in the mountains along the banks of streams up to an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. The wood is reddish-brown, veined, dense, resistant to water, easy to cut.

In St. Petersburg, it is not winter hardy enough. It was introduced into culture in England in 1838, in the USA in 1860.

Seaside alder (Alnusmaritime) - a tree or shrub up to 10 m high. Shoots are initially pubescent, faded orange or red-brown. Kidneys on legs, pointed, pubescent. The leaves are elliptical or obovate, pointed or shortly pointed, 6-10 cm long, 3-6.5 cm wide, shiny deep green above, light green and glabrous below, petioles slightly pubescent. Cones collected in 2-4, about 2 cm long, on short legs. Blooms in autumn. Looks impressive in autumn thanks to dark green foliage and yellow dangling earrings. Range: North America. In St. Petersburg, it is not winter hardy enough. In England, introduced into culture in 1878. close view - alder shiny (Alnusnitida) , also blooming in autumn. A tree reaching a height of up to 30 m. Area: Himalayas.

Japanese alder (Alnusjaponica) - tree up to 25 m in height. It has a decorative ovoid crown and dense dark green foliage that lasts a long time in autumn. Young shoots glabrous or slightly pubescent; light olive or brick brown with lenticels. The buds on the legs are bare red-brown, resinous. Leaves narrowly elliptical or oblong-lanceolate, 6-12 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, gradually pointed towards the apex, with a wedge-shaped base, slightly pubescent when young, dark green shiny above, lighter below, petioles pubescent or glabrous, 2 -3.5 cm long. Cones are oval or oval-oblong, 1.2-2 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. Staminate catkins bloom in early spring and are collected in brushes of 4-8 pieces. Range: Far East (Primorsky Territory), China and Japan. Gives strong and dense wood. In St. Petersburg, it is not winter hardy enough, suitable for areas south and west of Moscow. Introduced in England in 1880, in the USA - in 1886.

Alder black, or sticky (Alnusglutinosa) - a tree reaching a height of 35 m, in youth with an ovoid, and then with a cylindrical crown. It grows quickly, lives up to 100 and even 300 years. Young branches are smooth, often sticky, brick-brown with whitish lenticels. The bark of the trunk is dark brown, becoming cracked with age. Kidneys obovate, 0.5-0.8 cm long, sticky, pedunculated. Leaves obovate or rounded, young - sticky, glossy, glabrous or hairy, adults - dark green, slightly shiny, with red beards at the vein angles below, 4-9 cm long, 3-7 cm wide, petioles 1-2 cm long . Leaves may not change color in autumn and fall off green. Staminate catkins collected in a brush of 3-6, drooping, 4-7 cm in length. Pistillate catkins are located below the stamens in the axils of the leaves, 3-5, on legs, which are usually longer than them. Blooms in late March - early April. Cones broadly ovate, 12-20 mm long and 10 mm wide, borne 3-5 on a long stalk. The fruits ripen by November, spill out by spring, spread by water and wind. Seed year occurs every 3-4 years. They begin to bear fruit from the age of 10 with free growth, at the age of 40 - in plantations. The germination of freshly harvested seeds is 40-70%, gradually decreases, but lasts 2-3 years. Gives abundant stump growth up to 80-90 years.

The wood is sapwood, almost white in a freshly felled tree, quickly acquires a light red tint in the air. Annual layers are clearly visible on all sections. Alder wood is used in carpentry, furniture and turning industries, in the manufacture of plywood, piles, well log cabins, supports for mines are made from it. The bark contains up to 16% tannins, gives black, red and yellow paints. The leaves have medicinal value. Natural range: Western Siberia, Crimea, Caucasus, Western Europe, Asia Minor, North Africa. Frost-resistant, medium shade-tolerant.

Forms forests on excessively moist fertile soils along streams and rivers over large areas. Under the best conditions of existence, an alder stand reaches here in 20 years almost 15 m in height and 11.5 cm in diameter.

In landscaping, black alder is widely used within its range on soils with a high level of groundwater, especially near ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. Garden forms that are vegetatively propagated are used in single plantings. On fertile soils, black alder forms a deep root system. It grows well on fertile soils with strong flowing moisture, as well as on sandy soils with deep groundwater. It does not grow on poor and dry soils.

Alder bearded (Alnusbarbata) - a tree reaching a height of up to 35 m, with an ovoid crown and a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter, covered with dark gray-brown bark. Shoots are fluffy, brown with light lenticels, buds on short legs, obovate, dark brown. The leaves are ovate or obovate with a pointed apex, 6-13 cm long, 4-9 cm wide, young leaves are fluffy on both sides, then glossy and dark green above, light green pubescent below with red beards of hairs in the corners of the veins, petioles hairy when young, 1.5-2 cm long. They bloom at the same time as the leaves bloom, anther catkins are collected 3-4 in the upper part of the shoot. Cones are oblong, 1.5-2 cm long, 0.6-0.8 cm wide, collected in racemes of 3-5 on long legs. Habitat: Caucasus (cid-Caucasus, Western and Eastern Transcaucasia), Asia Minor. In the lowlands on marshy and alluvial soils, it forms forests, rises into the mountains along rivers to an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and often grows in the lower part of the mountains in beech, chestnut and hornbeam forests. This is the most common type of alder in the Caucasus. Its wood is similar in physical and mechanical properties to black alder wood and is widely used in the economy. The bark contains up to 16.5% tannins, gives black, red and yellow paints. Isabella vines are often planted using live alder as a support.

Alder gray or white (Alnusincana) - a tree up to 23 m in height, with a narrow ovoid crown and a trunk up to 50 cm in diameter. Lives up to 50-60 years. The bark is smooth, light gray. The leaves are ovate or oval-elliptical, 4-10 cm long, 3.5-7 cm wide, with a rounded or slightly heart-shaped base, young leaves are pubescent, adult leaves are almost bare above, gray-green pubescent below, densely pubescent along the veins , with 9-13 pairs of veins; petioles 1-2 cm long, soft felt. Blossoms before leafing out, 2-3 weeks earlier than black alder. Staminate catkins are located together in 3-5 pieces, sessile or on short legs. Cones of 8-10 pieces, elliptical, black-brown, about 1.5 cm long and 7-8 cm wide. Seed trees begin to bear fruit from 8-10 years old, coppice trees from 5-7 years old. Gives abundant root offspring and shoots from the stump. Fruiting annual, plentiful.

The wood differs from black alder wood in a more reddish hue, in terms of physical and mechanical properties it is inferior to black alder wood. Used in the same way as black alder wood. In the best growing conditions, gray alder at the age of 40 years gives up to 250 m 3 of wood from 1 ha. The bark contains a small amount of tannins, gives the paint. Forms a superficial root system, located mainly in the upper soil layer. Range: European part of Russia, Western Siberia, Caucasus, Western Europe, North America. In the Caucasus, it rises to a height of 2000 m above sea level. It occurs in floodplains along with willows and black alders.

It forms shrub thickets, usually on cutting areas, conflagrations and abandoned arable lands. It is not as demanding on soils as black alder, but rarely grows on poor dry sandy soils; better than black alder, grows on waterlogged soils. More photophilous and frost-resistant than black alder. Winter-hardy, relatively shade-tolerant. It is short-lived, as it is quickly replaced by other species, especially spruce. Improves the soil by forming soft humus from high-ash and nitrogen-containing foliage, enriches the soil with nitrogen.

wrinkled alder (Alnusrugosa) - tree up to 8 m tall. Sometimes this species is considered not as an independent, but as a variety of gray alder. Kidneys are naked, pubescent, on legs. Leaves elliptic or obovate, 5-10 cm long, glabrous or pubescent below along the veins, rarely completely pubescent. Cones of 4-10 pieces are collected in a brush, the upper ones are sessile, the lower ones are on short legs, ovoid, 1-1.5 cm in length. Natural range: North America. In St. Petersburg, it is quite stable.

Alder (Alnuskolaensis)- a small tree up to 8 m high with twisted knotty shoots. This species is sometimes regarded as a variety of gray alder. The bark on the trunk and old branches is yellowish, shiny, the leaves are on pubescent, reddish petioles, elliptical and oval-elliptical, obtuse at the top, serrated along the edge, dark green below, glabrous or sparsely pubescent along the veins. It grows on the Kola Peninsula, is found along river valleys, lake shores.

Alder fluffy (Alnushirsuta)- shrub or small tree, reaching 20 m in height and 50-60 cm in diameter, with rounded, blunt, blunt leaves, 4-7 cm long and 3-5.5 cm wide, rich green above, glossy, glaucous below, glabrous or along veins hairy, lateral veins 7-8 pairs. The bark is smooth, brick-brown. Shoots are gray with felt pubescence, become bare with age. It is distinguished by a significant difference in leaves in size, shape and color, even within the same tree. The wood properties are similar to black alder wood. Natural range: Western and Eastern Siberia, Primorye, Amur Region, Korea, China, Northern Japan. One of the most frost-resistant types of alder. It occurs along the edges and in the undergrowth of coniferous forests. It grows in floodplains of streams and rivers, in grassy swamps and near springs. In the conditions of St. Petersburg it turned out to be stable.

Alder red (Alnusrubra) - a beautiful, decorative tree with large leaves, reaching 20 m in height. The bark is light gray, almost without cracks. Shoots are brick-red, young shoots are pubescent. Kidneys on legs, red. Leaves ovate, 7-12 cm long, pointed, glossy above, grayish-green, glabrous below or with short rusty pubescence, with 12-15 pairs of veins, petioles and veins reddish or yellowish. Cones 6-8, ovoid, 1.5-2.5 cm long, on short reddish legs or sessile. Distribution: North America - from Alaska to California. Introduced into culture since 1884.

Alder alder (Alnuscremastogyne) - tree up to 40 m tall. Young pubescent shoots are brick-brown, with time the pubescence disappears. Kidneys on legs. Leaves narrowly obovate or elliptical, pointed at apex, 6-14 cm long, smooth dark green above, light green below, veins 9-12 pairs. Staminate and pistillate catkins are solitary in the axils of young leaves. Cones 1.5-2 cm long, on thin legs. Natural range: Western China. In St. Petersburg, it is not winter hardy enough. Introduced in England in 1907.

Wood

Alder wood is homogeneous in structure, growth rings and narrow core rays are hardly distinguishable on an untreated surface, but after processing and coating with transparent varnishes and stains, they become more visible to the naked eye, form a beautiful, interesting and highly decorative pattern, especially on tangential cuts. Annual rings are not always distinguishable, since late wood, although slightly darker than early wood, can be difficult to notice this difference. Rare false-wide medullary rays are clearly visible on all sections. The boundaries of the annual layers are slightly bent when they are crossed by a falsely wide core ray. The pores on the cells of the medullary rays are very small. Sometimes alder has a false core - a darker, dark brown or brick-brown color, the inner zone of wood. The most common defect in alder is the presence of brown or reddish-brown heart rot, which significantly reduces the quality of the resulting wood.

Alder is a scattered vascular non-nuclear breed. Its wood is white when freshly cut, but in the air it quickly acquires a color from orange-red to brick-brown. Alder wood is of low density, soft, light, dries out a little, almost does not crack during shrinkage, and is not resistant to decay. Easily processed with cutting and polishing tools, the surface is clean, smooth, slightly velvety. In water, alder wood exhibits high resistance, is moderately impregnated, stained and pickled.

The full swelling of alder wood practically does not correlate with the density of absolutely dry wood and the basic density of wood, but there is a tendency for swelling to increase with increasing density. In black alder, the dependence of tensile strength on density at a moisture content of 10.32% is strongly pronounced, and in gray alder, tensile strength weakly correlates with density at the time of testing. The tensile strength and impact strength of alder wood weakly correlate with density.

Vascular porosity is punctate. Fibrous tracheids are thin-walled, angular or rounded in cross-section, of different diameters, randomly distributed and connected in turns. Libriform fibers are typical, thick-walled, slightly compressed in the radial direction. In late wood, the libriform fibers are somewhat more compacted than in early wood. In addition to typical libriform fibers, living fibers are occasionally found, the walls of such libriform fibers are slightly thinner, the content of cells is alive - this is a supply of nutrients.

Usage

Table 2. Physical and mechanical properties of alder wood

Table 3. Average indicators of the main physical and mechanical
properties of alder wood (numerator - at a moisture content of 12%,
denominator - at humidity of 30% and above)

Table 4. Indicators of mechanical properties of alder wood,
related to 1 kg/m

Table 5. Approximate indicators of physical and mechanical
properties of alder bark

The most economically valuable species is black alder, since its range is larger than the ranges of other species of this genus. Gray alder, whose range is also wide, due to its biological qualities, rarely reaches sufficient size and often has a crooked trunk, which leads to insufficient yield of high-quality wood. It can grow as a straight tree with a voluminous trunk only under optimal conditions.

Alder wood is soft, light, cuts well, has good dimensional stability, and therefore is widely used for the manufacture of a variety of furniture, toys, turnery and small crafts. Alder wood is used to make veneer, plywood, chipboard, often in combination with other woods such as pine, spruce and beech; boxes and pallets are made from alder. Since alder wood is characterized by high resistance to moisture, it is used where interaction with water is unavoidable: in bridge building, housing construction, - it was previously used in the manufacture of piles and water pipes. Alder is often used as a fuel. Receive from an alder and charcoal which is used for drawing.

Alder wood is well impregnated with stains, therefore it is often used to imitate valuable wood species (cherry, mahogany, ebony) and restore furniture, interior decoration parts and other valuable wood items.

In the manufacture of the decks of various stringed musical instruments, the main material is resonant spruce wood, the stocks of which are limited. Therefore, the soundboards of musical instruments are often made of other materials, such as three-layer birch plywood, which drastically reduces the acoustic properties of such instruments. An analysis of the resonant and acoustic properties of wood of domestic species showed that black alder is the most suitable replacement for resonant spruce. Black alder has significantly fewer knots than resonant spruce, which increases wood yield. Black alder wood is characterized by physical, mechanical and acoustic properties close to those of resonant spruce wood and significantly exceeding the properties of three-layer birch plywood. It should be noted that the cost of soundboards from black alder wood is almost equal to the cost of producing soundboards from birch plywood and is much lower than the cost of soundboards from resonant spruce. This points to the prospect of using black alder wood in music production.

In official and folk medicine, infusions, decoctions and extracts of the bark, leaves and cones of alder are used as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hemostatic, wound healing, immunomodulatory drugs. Alder bark is used in tanning and dyeing leather. Black, yellow and red dyes are also obtained from the bark.

Alder is a highly ornamental species with shiny, rich green foliage that improves the soil, which is why various types of alder are widely used in landscaping.

It is necessary to take into account such a defect of alder as heart rot, which affects most of the trees by the age of 60, and not to allow overstaying of alder forests.

In view of the structural features and physical and mechanical properties of wood and biological characteristics, alder is a promising species for forest cultivation and the use of wood.

Elena Karpova
Anton Kuznetsov,
cand. biologist. Sciences, Assoc. cafe general ecology,
plant physiology
and Wood Science, St. Petersburg State Forest Technical University

It is easy to distinguish alder from aspen. It is enough to see these trees several times. But if you don't have a picture in your head, this article will help you distinguish these trees even in winter.

By the leaves

Trees are very different leaves. Aspen leaves are larger. The edges are smooth, the shape is classic. In alder, they have jagged edges. The shape is elongated, closer to an oval.

By fruits

Alder is easy to distinguish by fruits resembling cones. In spring and summer they are green, and by winter they dry out, turn brown and ossify. You won't find anything like this on Aspen.

By bark

The bark of these plants is also very different. In aspen, it is smooth, greenish-gray in color, sometimes with a slight bluish tinge.

Alder bark is different. In gray, it has a pronounced gray color with a light woody texture. The bark of black alder is dark brown, almost black. In mature trees, it cracks and peels off.

For wood

In my opinion, the most characteristic differences are the properties of wood. If you cut the aspen, on the cut it has an exceptional white color. And alder wood, black or gray, is red.

Freshly sawn wood of light color. But literally before our eyes it begins to blush, leaving in an orange or pinkish hue. This phenomenon can be observed especially clearly in winter, when the reaction is faster.

Using this knowledge, you can easily distinguish alder from aspen. And it doesn’t matter if there are leaves on the tree or it will lie in your yard in the form of firewood.

Many people ask questions about what an alder looks like, is it a shrub or a tree. Depending on the habitat conditions, the plant can change its shape and grow in the form of a deciduous bush with cones or a large sprawling tree. The homeland of the species is Europe. This tree used to be endowed with magical properties,considered sacred, a symbol of fertility and rebirth, and today is widely used in industry and medicine.

Botanically, this tree with catkins belongs to the birch family. Most often it can be found in areas with high humidity: near rivers, swamps, lakes. If we talk about Russia, then this tree species is most common in the region of the Urals, Western Siberia, in the steppe and forest-steppe zone. Spruces, birches, aspens, oaks can grow next to them. Graceful earrings on the tree appear in spring, at the time of flowering, and by autumn, fruits in the form of small cones ripen.

In total there are about 40 species of alder. We usually have three types:

• Gray. The variety was named so because of the gray color of the bark and the same shade of leaves growing on it. Its trunk is uneven, has many bends. In height, the species grows up to 20 m. During the flowering period of the alder, brown earrings appear on it. This species loves light, so it grows more often in sunny places. These trees are not afraid of cold and winds, they can take root on rather poor soils.
• Black alder is characterized by a dark bark color, on which there are many cracks. The leaves are oval or rounded, have a notch. The trunk is branched. This variety reaches a height of up to 35 m. Flowering occurs with the formation of earrings in early spring. The fruits at the time of ripening are similar to the cones of coniferous trees of small size. It likes to grow near rivers, you will not meet it in wetlands. Black alder has beautiful, pinkish wood with a sheen, so it is often used in production.
• Red alder has been cultivated since 1884. Grows up to 20 m in height. The tree has light gray bark and dark red shoots. The leaves are large, pointed, with a tucked-in serrated edge. Cones are egg-shaped, medium-sized, collected in 6-8 pieces.

Gallery: alder tree (25 photos)

Application in construction

The wood of this tree is used not only independently, but also as a component in the production of chipboard, plywood, and veneer. This is justified by its antiseptic qualities due to its astringent properties. Each type of alder has its own characteristics that determine the scope of its application.

Black alder is considered the most sensitive to temperature changes, so they try not to use it in the decoration of saunas and baths. What you need to consider when working with alder - this wood is quite soft and still requires treatment from pests and moisture. Its main advantage is a long service life and the fact that the fibers have a beautiful texture. This species is used for the manufacture of crafts, toys, paper, and is used as fuel.

Products made from gray alder are better suited for use in wet conditions, which expands the scope of its application. This wood is also ideal for making eco-friendly toys, shoes and some turning tools.

Houses, saunas, baths

The advantages of this type of wood include the ability to obtain beautiful shades with the help of staining and even achieve an imitation of more valuable tree species. Alder board has healing properties, so it is well suited for interior decoration of houses, saunas and baths. The advantages of building materials from alder wood are:

• resistance to deformation at high temperatures;
• no emission of resinous and other harmful compounds;
• the ability to absorb moisture well;
• excellent sound and heat insulation properties;
• the fact that condensation does not accumulate on the surface of this wood;
• low thermal conductivity - this minimizes the risk of burns.

When building structures, it is important to take into account one nuance - alder boards should not come into contact with the ground.

Doors, laminate, furniture

From the array of this wood, excellent interior doors are obtained. Thanks to various processing, they can be used in any interior, while the price remains quite affordable. Alder doors are completely safe, besides they have antibacterial and anti-allergic properties, they can be used even in children's rooms. They serve for quite a long time.

Alder laminate not only meets all technical requirements, but also has an attractive appearance. It can be considered as a replacement for elite parquet. Such floors are not too dirty, easy to clean, do not require a lot of time for maintenance and some special means for this.

For the manufacture of furniture, not only solid wood is used, alder is part of plywood, chipboard and furniture panels. In operation, these types of materials give the best wear resistance, they do not form chips, are not subject to deformation. Furniture made of alder is lightweight, but at the same time quite durable.

It is important to know that when working with wood it is better not to use nails, they can split the material when driven in. Screws will be a great replacement in this case.

Alder leaves, bark, alder seeds, which are recommended to be collected in late autumn, have a healing effect. When harvesting, the cones are cut with garden shears, after which they are dried in a room at room temperature. If everything is done correctly, the fruits will have a brown or brown color, a light aroma and an astringent taste. The leaves are harvested at the beginning of summer, and the bark at the beginning of winter.

Due to the presence of essential oils, organic acids, tannins, alkaloids and other components, preparations based on alder fruits and leaves have a blood-purifying, bactericidal, hemostatic, astringent effect. Decoctions from the seeds and leaves of this plant give a diaphoretic and antimicrobial effect, reduce inflammation.

An infusion of alder fruits is used to treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the bark is used for enterocolitis and digestive disorders. Plant-based decoctions cleanse the skin, heal wounds, eliminate nosebleeds, reduce allergies, and help with rheumatism.