Alnus cordata Italian alder (Betulaceae) Deciduous tree

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Alnus cordata
Italian alder
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Alnus cordata plant species is found in Europe - S. Italy, Corsica. It is a member of the Betulaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Italian alder. Some home gardeners know the variety as A. cordifolia.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Alnus cordata
Common Name:  Italian alder
Family:  Betulaceae
Author:  Desf.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  25   Mature Width:  8

Habitat:  Very rarely self-sown in Britain, but not naturalised.

General Uses: 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 gowing 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].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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