Alnus incana

Description

This species fixes atmospheric nitrogen and is also tolerant of polluted soil. It can be used for soil remediation, especially on gravel heaps. This is an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing forests on abandoned agricultural land, difficult terrains, and so on. Due to its rapid growth rate, it quickly provides sheltered conditions, allowing more permanent trees in the forest to thrive. Additionally, bacteria on the roots fix atmospheric nitrogen – although this enables the tree to grow well in relatively poor soils, it also makes some of this nitrogen available to other nearby plants. Alder trees also have a dense canopy, and when the leaves fall in autumn, they help to build up the humus content of the soil. Alder seedlings do not compete well in shady forest conditions, and thus this species gradually dies out as other trees establish themselves. The bark and fruits contain up to 20% tannin. The wood is light, soft, fairly elastic, and easy to split. It is used for clogs, bowls, woodcuts, and so on. It is highly valued by furniture makers.

Guilds