Alnus cordata

Italian alder

Species Tolerances

  • Drought Tolerance: Medium
  • Shade Tolerance: No
  • Waterlogging Tolerance: Medium
  • Frost Tolerance (trees from warmer climates may be frost tolerant, but their flowers may not be): Yes
  • RHS Hardiness: H6
  • Optimum Conditions for Growth:
    Will grow on most soils, including, poor sites, coarse sand & gravel. even chalk, though no strong dependence on acid or alkaline soil pH.
  • Susceptibility to Pest/Disease:
    May be susceptible to Phytophthora alni, a major threat.

Alnus_cordata_grown-in-Stevenage-hertforshire/ Anemone Projectors/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

Service to Pollinators

  • Summary of Service to Pollinators:
    Wind pollinated, so there is no nectar and the pollen is less nutritious than some other pollen sources, bees work the flowers for early spring pollen.
  • Nectar Value to Pollinators: 0 (of 0-3)
  • Honeydew Value to Pollinators: 0 (of 0-3)
  • Pollen Value to Bees: 1 (of 0-3)
  • Flowering Period: March

Risks

  • Human Toxicity: Non-toxic
  • Livestock Toxicity: Non-toxic
  • Invasive Risk: Yes
  • Suckering: No

Products

  • Edible Fruit: No
  • Edible Leaves: Insufficient Data
  • Edible Sap: Insufficient Data
  • Edible Seeds: Insufficient Data
  • Honey, major source in UK: No
  • For any medicinal potential, see 'Further Details' below.
  • Timber: Yes
  • Livestock Fodder: Yes
  • Other Products:
    Propolis can be made by honeybees from its resin/oils, a secondary source. Its usefulness to all bees is as a source of pollen early in the year when bees need pollen for egg-laying. Its timber is fast-growing, soft, porous and rot-resistant. Charcoal potential.

Utility

  • Nitrogen Fixation: Yes
  • Organic Matter Accumulation: Yes
  • Phytoremediation: Yes
  • Deacidification: Insufficient Data
  • Windbreak: Yes
  • Soil Erosion Control: Yes
  • Shade or Shelter: Yes
  • Plant Support: Insufficient Data
  • Integrated Pest Management: Insufficient Data
  • Wildlife Value: Yes
  • Wildlife Value Summary:
    Good for biodiversity, refers to invertebrate diversity feeding on the tree, and seeds are available to a large number of birds and mammals
  • Graduated Nativeness Classification
    ⓘ
    1. Historic Native
    2. Historic Introduction
    9. Neutral Introduction
    : 9 (of 1-10)

Further Details

    Straight form and fast growth conducive for timber production, timber wet-rot resistant. Potential to be invasive and hybridise with Alnus glutinosa. Its better drought tolerance being its ability to out-survive Alnus glutinosa in climate change.