This tree belongs to the genus alder, the birch family, has several names. Alder black, sticky, European (Alnus glutinosa). Alder originated from Europe. The plant is light-loving, but it also tolerates the shade well. The soil loves fertile, well moisturized. Prefers abundant watering. It grows to a height of 35 meters and can last for about a hundred years. It is planted with seeds.
Description of black alder
Deciduous tree is quite tall, it can be multi-stemmed. The bark of an adult tree is almost black; in a young plant, it is still light brown, but quite dark.
The leaves of black alder are alternate, dark green in color, oval or rounded with a notch in the upper part, sticky, shiny.
Alder has monoecious flowers that form catkins. They bloom in early spring, sometimes even faster than leaves. During the entire period of growth and development of the tree, the process of laying earrings takes place. With staminates, this happens in 5-6 months, somewhere from July, and with pistils - 1-2 months from September. On the pedicels, expanded thyroid, there are three male flowers. The outer part (perianth) is simple, 4-incised or 4-leafed. The female ones are located in the sinuses of the scales, which contain a lot of pulp, and are located in pairs.
At the time of ripening, the scales harden and form a so-called cone, very similar to the fruit of conifers. Black alder reproduces with the help of seeds or aerial shoots (stump growth).
Alder fruits are small cones that have a narrow wing, but can be without it. At first, the color of the fruit is green, then it becomes brown with a red tint. The ripening period occurs at the beginning of autumn. For the winter, the cones are closed, and at the beginning of spring they open and seeds fall out. The wind carries them away, and melt water also contributes to the spread of seeds.
Where does black alder grow
This plant can be found almost throughout Europe, except for the northern part. Asia Minor, North Africa and North America are also climate suitable for alder. In Russia, alder grows in its European part.
The tree loves moist, drained soils and therefore alder can often be seen on the banks of rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Wetlands are also suitable for this plant, as well as clay and poor soils, rocky and sandy.
It perfectly coexists with such trees as ash, birch, oak, linden and spruce. But he can create his own thickets (alder). Where alder grows, the soil is enriched with nitrogen.
Pests and diseases
A pathogenic fungus of the genus Tafrin can infect a tree. A similar parasite harms female earrings, provoking outgrowths of them in the form of leaves. Other types of fungi damage the leaves, stain them, and shrivel.
Application of black alder
Tree bark and cones have long been used in the medical field. Infusion on the bark is a good astringent and acts as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. A decoction from the bark of the plant is excellent for constipation, it can be a hemostatic agent and heals wounds well.The drug from the seed is used for problems of the stomach and intestines, this broth has astringent and disinfecting properties. Tincture of leaves and bark expels bile from the body, relieves spasms and inflammation.
May be a natural dye for wool and leather. It makes it possible to get yellow, as well as red and black. The cinnamon color comes from the buds. Alder is rightfully considered a melliferous plant. Bees, from the resinous substances of alder leaves and buds, produce propolis. Dry leaves of the tree can be fed to livestock.
Black alder wood itself is soft and light, but also fragile. It is used in carpentry and furniture, used in the construction of hydraulic structures. It is a good material for boxes that can hold food or household items. Coils and other products are also made from alder.
You can also get wood vinegar and charcoal from this plant in order to paint, for this you need to perform dry distillation. Alder also takes part in the production of gunpowder. Smooth trunks are used for hedges. Alder is indispensable for stove heating. Thanks to her, before, they got rid of excess soot that accumulated in the pipes of the furnace. If you smoke fish on sawdust and alder shavings, you get a very tasty dish. Sagging on alder trunks is an excellent decorative element of decoration.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
The so-called bumps can be harvested from November to March next year. In this case, it is necessary, with the help of a secateurs, to carefully cut off the end of the branch on which the cones are located, and cut them off. Those fruit that themselves fell from the branches are already unusable.
The buds must be well dried. To do this, they must be spread out in an even layer in a room with good ventilation (attic, for example), or placed under a canopy. When it's warm outside, drying can be done in the fresh air, but do not forget to stir everything. After high-quality drying, the cones are stored for up to three years.
