Alder plant. Alder is a valuable and healing plant

The real harbinger of the onset of spring, which at first glance seems to be the most ordinary tree, is alder. Photos of the tree convey all the beauty of such a beauty. Its slender trunk is covered with smooth bark, rounded leaves do not change their color during the season and remain green until the onset of frost.

Alder tree: description

A photo of a representative of the forest shows the richness of her crown, although the latter seems sparse due to the uneven, loose arrangement of the branches. The flowering process begins in early spring, when there is still snow everywhere; winds act as a pollinator.

What does an alder look like? The tree blooms with catkins, divided into female and male, which in the process of maturation (September-October) acquire a red-brown color. The female ones are about 1 cm long, arranged in groups of up to 8 pieces, and during the ripening period they become woody like cones.

Male earrings on branches are collected in 4-5 pieces, during flowering they reach a length of 5-9 cm. The leaves of the alder begin to bloom after flowering, the fruits are small green cones. They may be wingless or may have membranous or leathery porches. In winter, the cones are closed, beginning to open in March, releasing seeds in this way, which ripen in late autumn. Fallen alder leaves contain a large amount of nitrogen, an important soil fertilizer.

Alder as part of the natural complex

100 years is the average age, and 150 years is the maximum age of such a natural specimen as an alder tree. Where grows such an inconspicuous, but very useful tree? Alder prefers wet soils(these are the banks of streams, rivers and various reservoirs) and often forms thickets, the so-called alder forests: in pure form or mixed. In the north, it is believed that alder is a coniferous tree, in southern regions it forms, together with oak and beech, mixed forests. The plant perfectly coexists with birch, spruce, oak, linden and aspen.

Alder is a valuable honey plant. Resinous substances are secreted from its buds and leaves, which serve bees to produce propolis.

The dry leaves of the plant are excellent for feeding livestock.

Black alder - deciduous tree

The most widespread among the known varieties is black alder, which got its name from the black bark of an adult tree. In Greek mythology, black alder, also characterized by sticky shiny leaves, is associated with the fire festival and the arrival of spring. Alder (the photo of the tree is given in the article) is very fond of light and moisture; growing in moist places, it can create alder swamps. At the same time, it does not tolerate standing water at all.

The growth of black alder, which is considered a loner due to its rejection of trees of other species, is quite fast. The plant can reach 20 meters. Flowering begins in April, and the fruits (cones with a narrow wing) ripen only at the end of next spring.

Black (sticky) alder, more capricious compared to other varieties, is included in the Red Book of Moldova, Kazakhstan and some regions of Russia. This tree is planted in parks and squares, thanks to its widely branched root system, it is planted along water bodies, strengthening the banks in this way.

Beauty with brown earrings

Alder - a tree, the description of which allows us to highlight its main characteristics, is an equally popular species of the birch family. In height, gray alder can reach up to 16 meters. Therefore, it is planted to secure the ravines and the coastal part. Propagated by offspring of roots, cuttings and seeds.

What does an alder look like? The tree has a gray, slightly curved trunk, gray leaves, brown catkins. These are the main features by which alder can be distinguished from other plants. Frost resistance and the ability to grow on depleted soils and wetlands are the advantages that characterize the alder tree.

Description, photos of the green beauty, an integral part of the natural complex, will allow you to get to know her better.

Alder in the decorative arts

Growth is strong, especially in young age, during this period, most often it forms wild thickets. Thanks to such characteristics as the uniformity of the wood structure, its softness, toughness and pliability, alder is a tree that has found wide application in industry. Its wood has long been used as the optimal material for artistic carving, is the basis for creating carved dishes, decorative panels and sculptures. During dry distillation, coal is obtained from alder, which artists use in their work, creating future masterpieces, and wood vinegar. The influxes on the trunks have a decorative value.

Industrial Application

Alder is easy to process, well planed, sawn, glued. Perfectly tolerates polishing, varnishing, staining; when screwing in screws it does not split, when hammering nails it can peel off. When dried, wood, which is also used in the manufacture of gunpowder, does not change its properties: it dries quickly, does not warp or crack. Thanks to these qualities, alder is used in the manufacture of musical instruments and details for them.

Alder wood is resistant to water, does not rot, therefore it is used as a material in the manufacture of bridges, rafts, underwater structures and supports. Of the metals, it is critical to iron and in places where iron nails are hammered, it will cause a reaction of their rusting and, as a result, the appearance of gray circles at the points of contact. Does not like contact with cement mortar, which causes an alkaline reaction inside the tissues of the tree and its decay.

Alder is a tree that is widely used in the manufacture of plywood and chipboard. Shavings from it are added as an astringent antiseptic in the production of boards from beech, spruce, and pine shavings.

Alder as a building material

The alder tree is used in the construction of wooden houses, carved entrance gates, manhole crates, production and restoration of furniture and decorative interior details. Straight trunks are used as fence posts.

This is an excellent material for the manufacture of packaging boxes, pallets, coils, various molds for casting. Alder, intended for outdoor construction, requires mandatory treatment with an antiseptic. Otherwise, the tree will begin to rot, especially when it comes into close contact with open ground.

AT industrial production paper is produced from alder wood, the waste is used as fuel. Alder firewood is considered high-quality heating oil. With their help, excess soot was previously burned out of pipes. Such firewood burns beautifully and is characterized by high heat transfer and the absence of waste. It is not for nothing that they are called “royal”, because in ancient times they were used to heat the royal chambers.

Black alder bark is a first-class material for obtaining dyes for wool and leather, it gives red, black and yellow colors. Brown dye is obtained from the kidneys.

The use of alder in folk medicine

The beneficial properties of alder are widely used in medicine: traditional and folk, using mostly cones, leaves and tree bark, which contains tannins. Decoctions and infusions of cones and bark are taken as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, antibacterial and hemostatic agent. A purulent wound will heal quickly if a leaf of a black alder tree is applied to it.

For constipation and hemorrhoids, vodka infusion of earrings is used; with diathesis and eczema, they are treated with a decoction of flowers collected at the beginning of the flowering period. A decoction of alder cones is excellent for normalizing the natural intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics and is used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, such a remedy helps well with inflammatory processes of the nasopharynx and throat, colds, tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

AT traditional medicine with nosebleeds in the nose, it is recommended to lay in the form of tampons fresh leaves alder. A decoction of them is good for gout, arthritis, joint pain. To prepare dry baths, fresh, freshly picked alder leaves are heated in the sun or in an oven and spread in a thick layer on the bed where the patient is placed. They cover the whole body with them and wrap a warm blanket on top. The duration of this session is about an hour. The best effect will be if the leaves are placed in a deep tub, and when they warm up, it is required to put the patient there up to the neck. In the same way, birch leaves are treated.

Alder brooms, which are good for cleansing, disinfecting, toning the skin and giving strength and vigor, are very popular in bath procedures.

Alder in veterinary medicine

In a number of countries, fresh alder leaves are used to control fleas in pets. They are scattered across the floor. A concentrated decoction of the leaves has recently been used in the fight against bedbugs - for treating walls and washing beds. The cones were given to pets for bloody diarrhea.

Due to the content of vitamin C, carotene and proteins, black alder leaves are widely used traditional medicine. A dry extract is produced from the cones - hops, which is used for dysentery; from wood - activated carbon tablets.

In cooking, sawdust and firewood are used for smoking meat and fish.

The collection of cones begins in late autumn and continues until March. To do this, the ends of the branches on which the cones grow are carefully cut with secateurs, after which the latter are cut off. Fallen seedlings are unsuitable for use. The collected raw materials, laid out in an even layer, are dried under a canopy or in attics in a ventilated room. AT warm weather the cones are dried in the open air, stirring occasionally. Shelf life of seedlings - 3 years.

Every year with the advent of spring, many garden plants hurry to report the approach of heat. Alder also gives an excellent hint to gardeners and flower growers. It is in the spring that the plant becomes especially attractive. Its rounded leaves and lush crown do not lose their green color until frost.

general information

The description of the alder (olha) suggests a rather dense crown, but due to the uneven arrangement of the branches, it looks slightly sparse. When there is still snow on the streets, this tree is already beginning to bloom.

When flowering on an alder, very attractive earrings appear and they are both male and female. If during formation they have a green color, then at the ripening stage they become brown-red.

Female catkins grow up to 1 cm in length and are located on the branches in clusters of up to 7-9 pieces. Male formations grow up to 6-9 cm. Leaves on the plant appear only after it blooms.

The fruits of the plant are greenish cones. Throughout winter period they are closed, but with the advent of spring they open, and seeds fall out of them into the ground. Cones ripen only in October - November. Summer residents note that alder leaves perfectly replace fertilizers, as they contain a large amount of nitrogen.

The average lifespan of a plant is 100 years. However, there are also long-lived trees, whose age reaches 150-160 years. Most often this plant is found in places with moist soil. It is for this reason that alder mainly grows near water bodies.

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If suitable conditions for alder are determined on the territory, then thickets of trees - alder forests - form on it. In the regions of the north, this plant is found in the form of a coniferous tree. In the southern regions, it is not very common and is found in mixed forests along with beech and oak. The plant feels great next to the common aspen, linden, oak, spruce and birch and some shrubs.

This tree can perform not only decorative functions, it is also a good honey plant. In the process of development, alder forms leaves and buds, which contain many resinous compounds, from which bee propolis is made.

Black and gray variety

Black alder got its name from the color of its bark. This plant has been known since ancient Greece. According to myths, it was often used at fire festivals as a symbol of the coming of spring. This culture is light-requiring and responds well to high humidity. But standing water in a place where an alder grows can destroy a tree. At the same time, its root system can rot. Stagnation of moisture can adversely affect how alder looks.

The black variety is fast growing. The height of an adult tree sometimes reaches 22 m. Flowers on the black variety can be seen already in early April.

This type of plant needs special care. It is noteworthy that the ebony is protected in such places:

some regions of Russia;
Kazakhstan;
Moldova.

The species in question is sometimes used for the improvement of squares, parks and private plots. It is best to plant such an alder near water bodies, where it will not only serve as an ornament, but also strengthen the shore, as it has a very branched root system.

The gray variety of alder grows up to 17 m. It is often used to strengthen ravines and coastal zones. It propagates by seed or cuttings.

Trunk gray wood has a characteristic grayish color. Summer residents note the high resistance of this tree to frost. In addition, gray alder can fully develop even in depleted soils and wetlands.

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Application area

In addition to its attractive appearance, alder also has useful properties. This tree grows quite quickly, often creating wild thickets. At the stage of active development, the wood of the plant has a uniform structure, therefore it can be easily processed. This allows it to be used in the industrial sector.

Alder is a very popular material, which is used by specialists in artistic carving. Sculptures, decorative panels and kitchen utensils are made from it. Of particular value are alder trunks, decorated with influxes.

Parts of this plant are actively used in alternative medicine. The bark, leaves and cones contain tannins. They make tinctures and decoctions. Parts of this plant are distinguished by the following beneficial actions:

hemostatic;
antibacterial;
disinfectant;
anti-inflammatory;
astringent.

So, you can put an alder leaf on a festering wound, and it will soon completely heal. Alcohol tincture from alder earrings helps with constipation and hemorrhoids. To cope with eczema or diathesis, you can use decoctions based on its flowers.

Their height under favorable conditions can reach 35-40 m, the maximum diameter of the trunk 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. Ability to vegetative propagation varies from species to species and between members of the same species. The fruits are one-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 alder genus 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.

Alder's habitat covers zones of cold and temperate climate Northern Hemisphere, the range of some species reaches South America along the Andes to Chile, 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 the 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 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 upwards, sharp, with a round 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. AT southern regions habitat - in mountain valleys, on pebbles, on 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. Bark on the trunk gray color with rounded lenticels, light brown shoots 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. Stabbed buds, leaves almost round or broadly ovate, 5-10 cm long, with a deeply heart-shaped base, shortly pointed or rounded at the apex, 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 below 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. AT deciduous forests the lower zone, in the mountains along the banks of streams up to a height 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 on large areas. AT best conditions The existence of an alder stand here in 20 years reaches almost 15 m in height and 11.5 cm in diameter.

In landscaping, black alder is widely used within its range on soils with high level 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 swampy and alluvial soils, it forms forests, rises to the mountains along rivers up to an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, in the lower part of the mountains it often grows as part of 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 round 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)- 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, serrate 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. Found in forest edges and undergrowth 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 a false core is found in alder - darker, dark brown or brick-brown, inner zone wood. The most common defect in alder is the presence of brown or reddish-brown core 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 to increase swelling 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 an 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. Obtained from alder and charcoal The that 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 superior to those 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 glossy, rich green foliage that improves the soil, so different kinds alders are widely used in landscaping.

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

Alder wood is light, soft, uniform in structure, well split. Therefore, it often goes to the manufacture of plywood, it is well painted and processed. The highest quality drawing charcoal and charcoal used for the production of gunpowder are made from gray alder wood.

Has wood interesting property: those places on which a saw or an ax walked, quickly acquire a beautiful reddish tint in the air. This happens because at the cut site, in damaged living tissues, intracellular pressure changes, tannins-polyphenols are forced out, which are easily oxidized in air, forming flobaphenes - amorphous substances of brown and reddish tones. They determine the color of a fresh cut. It is no coincidence that wood perfectly imitates the most valuable breeds- walnut, mahogany and ebony.

She also has one more important quality - very high water resistance. The same flobafens do not dissolve in cold water - this creates a good protective barrier, and the contained tannins form with salts heavy metals(of which there are always a lot of water) poorly soluble compounds, which, precipitating, strengthen it. If, at the same time, we take into account that tannins have excellent antimicrobial and antifungal properties, it will become clear why the alder tree is so resistant to decay both in soil and in water. That is why they make barrels and well log cabins, mine support, various parts of underground and underwater structures from its wood.

Alder cones and thmelini

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Grape

In gardens and home gardens, you can choose a warmer place for planting grapes, for example, on the sunny side of the house, garden pavilion, veranda. It is recommended to plant grapes along the border of the site. The vines formed in one line will not take up much space and at the same time will be well lit from all sides. Near buildings, grapes should be placed so that water flowing from the roofs does not fall on it. On level ground, it is necessary to make ridges with good drainage due to drainage furrows. Some gardeners, following the experience of their colleagues in the western regions of the country, dig deep planting holes and fill them with organic fertilizers and fertilized soil. Pits dug in waterproof clay are a kind of closed vessel, which during the period monsoon rains filled with water. In fertile land, the root system of grapes develops well at first, but as soon as waterlogging begins, it suffocates. Deep pits can play a positive role in soils where good natural drainage is provided, the subsoil is permeable, or reclamation artificial drainage is possible. planting grapes

You can quickly restore an obsolete grape bush by layering (“katavlak”). To this end, healthy vines of a neighboring bush are placed in grooves dug to the place where the dead bush used to grow, and sprinkled with earth. The top is brought to the surface, from which a new bush then grows. Lignified vines are laid on layering in spring, and green ones in July. They are not separated from the mother bush for two to three years. A frozen or very old bush can be restored by short pruning to healthy above-ground parts or pruning to the “black head” of an underground trunk. In the latter case, the underground trunk is freed from the ground and completely cut down. Not far from the surface, new shoots grow from dormant buds, due to which a new bush is formed. Grape bushes that have been neglected and severely damaged by frost are restored due to stronger fatty shoots formed in the lower part of the old wood and the removal of weakened sleeves. But before removing the sleeve, they form a replacement for it. Grape care

A gardener starting to grow grapes needs to study well the structure of the vine and the biology of this most interesting plant. Grapes belong to liana (climbing) plants, it needs support. But it can creep along the ground and take root, as is observed in Amur grapes in a wild state. The roots and the aerial part of the stem grow rapidly, branch strongly and reach large sizes. AT vivo without human intervention, a branched vine grows with many vines of various orders, which comes into fruiting late and produces irregular crops. In culture, the grapes are formed, give the bushes a form that is convenient for care, providing a high yield of high-quality clusters. Planting lemongrass

Schisandra chinensis, or schizandra, has several names - lemon Tree, red grapes, gomisha (Japanese), cochinta, kojianta (Nanai), kolchita (Ulchi), usimtya (Udege), uchampu (Oroch). In terms of structure, systemic relationship, center of origin and distribution, Schisandra chinensis has nothing to do with the real citrus plant lemon, but all its organs (roots, shoots, leaves, flowers, berries) exude the aroma of lemon, hence the name Schisandra. Lemongrass clinging or wrapping around a support, along with Amur grapes, three types of actinidia, is an original plant of the Far Eastern taiga. Its fruits, like real lemons, are too acidic for fresh consumption, but they have medicinal properties, a pleasant aroma, and this attracted a lot of attention to him. The taste of Schisandra chinensis berries improves somewhat after frost. Local hunters who consume such fruits claim that they relieve fatigue, invigorate the body and improve eyesight. In the consolidated Chinese pharmacopoeia, compiled back in 1596, it says: "Chinese lemongrass fruit has five tastes, classified in the first category of medicinal substances. The pulp of lemongrass is sour and sweet, the seeds are bitter-astringent, and in general the taste of the fruit is salty. Thus, It contains all five tastes. Grow lemongrass

Alder tree: description

Alder as part of the natural complex

100 years is the average age, and 150 years is the maximum age of such a natural specimen as an alder tree. Where does such an inconspicuous, but very useful tree grow? Alder prefers moist soils (these are the banks of streams, rivers and various reservoirs) and often forms thickets, the so-called alder forests: in pure form or mixed. In the north, it is believed that alder is a coniferous tree; in the southern regions, it forms mixed forests together with oak and beech. The plant perfectly coexists with birch, spruce, oak, linden and aspen.

Alder is a valuable honey plant. Resinous substances are secreted from its buds and leaves, which serve bees to produce propolis.

The dry leaves of the plant are excellent for feeding livestock.

Black alder - deciduous tree

Beauty with brown earrings

Description, photos of the green beauty, an integral part of the natural complex, will allow you to get to know her better.

Alder in the decorative arts

Growth is quite active, especially at a young age; during this period, wild thickets are most often formed by it. Thanks to such characteristics as the uniformity of the structure of wood, its softness, toughness and pliability, alder is a tree that has found wide application in industry. Its wood has long been used as the optimal material for artistic carving, is the basis for creating carved dishes, decorative panels and sculptures. During dry distillation, coal is obtained from alder, which artists use in their work, creating future masterpieces, and wood vinegar. The influxes on the trunks have a decorative value.

Industrial Application

Alder as a building material

In industrial production, paper is produced from alder wood, waste is used as fuel. Alder firewood is considered high-quality heating oil. With their help, excess soot was previously burned out of pipes. Such firewood burns beautifully and is characterized by high heat transfer and the absence of waste. It is not for nothing that they are called “royal”, because in ancient times they were used to heat the royal chambers.

Black alder bark is a first-class material for obtaining dyes for wool and leather, it gives red, black and yellow colors. Brown dye is obtained from the kidneys.

The use of alder in folk medicine

In folk medicine, with nosebleeds in the nose, it is recommended to lay fresh alder leaves in the form of tampons. A decoction of them is good for gout, arthritis, joint pain. To prepare dry baths, fresh, freshly picked alder leaves are heated in the sun or in an oven and spread in a thick layer on the bed where the patient is placed. They cover the whole body with them and wrap a warm blanket on top. The duration of this session is about an hour. The best effect will be if the leaves are placed in a deep tub, and when they warm up, it is required to put the patient there up to the neck. In the same way, birch leaves are treated.

Alder brooms, which are good for cleansing, disinfecting, toning the skin and giving strength and vigor, are very popular in bath procedures.

Alder in veterinary medicine

Due to the content of vitamin C, carotene and proteins, black alder leaves are widely used in traditional medicine. A dry extract is produced from the cones - hops, which is used for dysentery; from wood - activated carbon tablets.

In cooking, sawdust and firewood are used for smoking meat and fish.

The collection of cones begins in late autumn and continues until March. To do this, the ends of the branches on which the cones grow are carefully cut with secateurs, after which the latter are cut off. Fallen seedlings are unsuitable for use. The collected raw materials, laid out in an even layer, are dried under a canopy or in attics in a ventilated room. In warm weather, the cones are dried in the open air, stirring occasionally. Shelf life of seedlings - 3 years.