Common Alder – Alnus glutinosa (Bare Rooted)

Description

Common Alder, Alnus glutinosa, is an exceptional tree. Its benefit to the environment and wildlife is invaluable and is always the first tree to colonise waste ground. It relies on unrestricted daylight to thrive, once bigger trees shade it the Alder will give up and die out. I have rarely seen one growing under another tree’s canopy in the centre of woodland. However many can be seen growing on the edge of the same wood. They will grow well in wet soil around ponds and river banks. I understand some fish rely on their tree roots during floods. The tree supports many different mammals right through the year. I am told fungi and various larvae depend on the tree to exist.

I have noticed lately a black beetle that seems to devastate the leaves of the tree, these beetles can be washed off using a hose pipe. I have also noticed that new leaves soon re appear. I think Common Alder is a tree worth persevering with, if only just for wildlife, it will grow well in any soil good or poor and it thrives in wet areas.