There is a riddle: “Which tree is not a conifer, but still has cones?” The answer to this is the word “alder,” full of calm dignity. One of the 13 sacred trees of the Druids, the owner of reddish ornamental wood and useful substances, alder has always enjoyed the attention of spell writers, carpenters and doctors. This article will help you recognize it among other breeds, learn how to prepare medicinal cones and use them in the treatment of certain diseases.
Alder is an elegant tree or shrub (life form depends on the growing conditions of a particular plant), belonging to the Birch family. Of the 45 species of the genus in Russia, two are the most common:
- Gray alder, also known as white or spruce - up to 20 m high, with light bark and the ability to form root suckers;
- Black alder, also sticky - up to 35 m high, with almost black bark, a beautiful spherical crown, does not form root shoots.
On the Japanese island of Kyushu lives the endemic (not found anywhere else) hard alder - a very small plant compared to its sisters, up to 3 m high. The leaves of this tree are in most cases round or ovoid, embossed, with a clear pattern of veins: they look like wide green feathers parrots, from which even shapes were cut out with scissors. The number of hairs and glands on leaves and stems varies depending on the species.
The flowers of the plant are dioecious: the male flowers form long reddish-yellowish catkins at the ends of thin shoots, the female ones are collected in small spikelets, surrounded by many fleshy green scales. After pollination, these scales become woody, darken and turn into the famous alder cones, by which the tree is recognized among the thickets. Since flower buds are formed in the previous year, alder begins to flower earlier than other forest species, and the absence of leaves at this time promotes wind pollination. By October, fruit-nuts are formed, which gradually leave the mature cones throughout the winter.
Chemical composition and application
Alder bark and cones contain up to 2.5% tannins - tannins with a pronounced astringent effect. Among other important compounds formed by its cells, mention should be made:
- triterpene alcohols and ketones, which determine the smell of the plant;
- flavonoids that have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system;
- phytoncides – substances with bactericidal properties;
- glycosides with high biological activity;
- antioxidant quercetin;
- organic acids.
Alder preparations – proven over centuries folk remedy at inflammatory diseases digestive tract. In the 40s of the last century, they were introduced into scientific medicine and began to be used as an adjunct to the use of sulfonamides. Infusions of alder cones and decoctions of its bark are prescribed for:
- dysbacteriosis;
- enterocolitis;
- flatulence and pain in the intestines;
- dysenteries of various etiologies;
- exacerbations of chronic intestinal infections.
Externally, a decoction of cones is used for thermal burns, inflammatory skin diseases, as well as bacterial and viral lesions of the upper respiratory tract. The use of a decoction of the leaves in the form of baths is indicated for dermatitis of the feet and tired legs. ethnoscience offers an infusion of alder fruits as a remedy that relieves irritation of the scalp and reduces greasiness of hair.
Alder wood is famous for its beautiful reddish-yellow shades; it is easily processed and used as a material for small crafts, toys, and souvenirs. In air and upon contact with the ground, it quickly rots, but when processed in an aquatic environment it unexpectedly exhibits increased strength. In the past, it was widely used for the construction of piles and lining of well frames.
Soft, pure alder charcoal is valued as a painting material and as a raw material for making hunting gunpowder. The wood from this tree is used in the production of electric guitars, and the sawdust gives meat and fish a wonderful smoky smell. Alder imparts a rich black-blue color to leather when its decoction is mixed with a solution of iron-ammonium alum.
Alder preparations are a proven remedy for inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract
Distribution and habitats
The main part of the alder range is temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Some species are found in the subalpine belt of the South American Andes, in Northern Vietnam, Korea and China. Until the 18th century, black alder was ubiquitous in Europe and the Middle East, from Lebanon and Cyprus to Sweden and Norway, but alder forests and mixed forests containing this tree species were subject to uncontrolled logging.
Currently, sticky alder forms separate groves along the beds of small rivers, along the banks of swamps and ponds, and is part of small-leaved and mixed forest ecosystems. In Russia, it occupies moist, poorly drained soils throughout the European part, extends beyond the Urals and into North Caucasus. In the same habitats, but somewhat less frequently, gray alder is found.
This unique tree tolerates soil of any quality, since it enters into symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and many fungi that improve its root nutrition. Alder trees are grown in nurseries on soils that contain spores and mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi.
Alder forms groves along small rivers, along the banks of swamps and ponds
Medicinal properties and contraindications
The healing properties and contraindications of alder are associated with the presence in its tissues of a large amount of tannins that have an anti-inflammatory effect. The optimal combination of tannins, quercetin and triterpene compounds normalizes the intestinal microflora, as a result of which in patients with enterocolitis, dysbacteriosis or dysentery, fermentation stops, diarrhea stops, feces become more formed, and the number of bowel movements is reduced.
Other important properties of alder preparations include:
- astringent;
- diaphoretic;
- diuretic;
- hemostatic.
There are few contraindications to the use of the plant: pregnancy, lactation, age under 12 years, individual intolerance.
The healing properties of alder are associated with the presence of tannins in it, which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Collection, preparation and storage
It is convenient to harvest alder fruits at the beginning of winter, in dry weather. Annual shoots are cut off with pruning shears or the cones are simply shaken off onto the snow, where they are clearly visible. The length of the cut branches should not exceed 1.5 cm. Harvesters are not recommended to break and tear off branches, as well as cut off the young tips of shoots without cones, since flower buds have already formed on them, which will bloom next spring.
The collected infructescences are laid out in one layer and dried in dryers or in air, turning them periodically. Store raw materials in fabric bags or cardboard boxes for no more than 3 years.
Recipes
To prepare the infusion 2 tbsp. Spoonfuls of alder fruits are rubbed between your fingers, poured with a glass of boiling water and left for half an hour. After straining, take 1 tbsp. spoon 3-4 times a day after meals for indigestion, bloating, and discomfort in the stomach.
For diarrhea, prepare a decoction of alder leaves, its cones or bark. For this, 2 tbsp. spoons of raw materials are crushed with a masher, poured with 1.5 cups of boiling water and simmered in a water bath for 20 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave warm for another 4 hours. Take 10 g three times a day.
An ointment for healing wounds, cuts, and small burns is prepared from a mixture of alder fruits, aspen bark and marsh cinquefoil. A handful of the mixture is poured into 300 ml of boiling water and heated in a water bath for 20 minutes. The cooled broth is filtered, 50 ml of alcohol or high-quality vodka and 4 spoons are added. vegetable oil, mix. Store the composition in the refrigerator.
Alder fruits are harvested at the beginning of winter
The leaves of alder, with their clear relief, are similar to the leaves of trees of the Elm family. You can distinguish elm (small-leaved elm) from alder by the following characteristics:
- By the presence of cones: no type of elm produces such infructescences.
- By fruit: alder produces small nut-like fruits, elm produces small clusters of round or slightly oval lionfish.
- By leaves: leaf blades alders are symmetrical, i.e. on both sides of the central vein form equal shares. In an elm leaf, on one side the plate exposes the petiole to a greater length than on the other, causing the leaf to become asymmetrical.
Alder is often confused with elm
Alder is an extremely unpretentious tree that has found application in official medicine, in artisanal tanning, landscaping and afforestation of dumps. Majestic crown, beautiful leaves and her funny little bumps earned her the love of the people, expressed in many legends. In many European countries, mass plantings of this amazing tree are being carried out, and one can hope that it will soon again occupy its habitat, which has been greatly reduced by logging.
Every year, many plants rush to announce the arrival of spring. Alder will also provide an excellent hint for summer residents. A photo of this tree will give everyone the opportunity to understand how beautiful the alder looks at this time. The tree is decorated with smooth bark, and the round alder leaves retain their green color until the very first frost.
Alder tree: Description and photo
Given deciduous tree has a very lush crown, but still it is a little sparse due to the fact that the branches grow unevenly. When the snow has not yet melted in all places, the alder already speaks with might and main of the coming of spring, this is expressed in its active flowering. Therefore, you only need to know when the alder blooms to determine that winter is gradually losing its strength.
At the same time, upon entering the flowering phase, many other plants help it to get ahead, as well as winds, due to which the alder pollinates.
When the tree begins to bloom, it is decorated with beautiful earrings, divided into male and female. When they are formed they have the usual green color, then at the ripening stage they acquire a red-brown hue.
Female earrings are quite small and reach a size of approximately one centimeter; they are found on a branch in groups of up to 10 pieces; a sign of the maturation of these earrings is the formation of a woody shell. In this regard, male earrings have certain differences: they grow on branches in the amount of 5-6 pieces, are characterized by rather large sizes, being 6-10 cm in length. The appearance of leaves begins only after the alder has finished flowering.
The fruits of alder are small cones that are green in color. At the same time, the cones also differ from each other: some grow wingless, some can be leathery or filmy. During the entire winter period they remain closed, the structure is solid, but with the arrival of March the cones open, as a result of which the seeds fall into the ground. The cones reach their full ripening only at the end of autumn. The leaves of this tree are quite useful fertilizer, as they contain a large amount of nitrogen.
Alder in nature pictures
These trees approximately grow up to 100 years. Although there are also centenarians who delight with their appearance for 150 years. Their favorite areas for germination are places with moist soil. Therefore, alder can often be observed on the banks of various bodies of water.
If a combination of favorable factors occurs, then entire thickets - alder forests - can grow. In the northern regions, alder has grown like a coniferous tree. In the southern regions it has a rather insignificant representation, therefore it is part of mixed forests along with beech and oak. Also, this tree feels great with other representatives of forests - spruce, birch, aspen, linden and oak.
Alder can be used both for decorative purposes and is also interesting as a honey plant. During formation, the tree produces leaves and buds enriched with resinous substances, which are used by bees as raw materials to create propolis.
You can find a use for dried alder leaves, as they can be used as feed for livestock.
Varieties of alder: Description and photo
According to some reports, there are slightly more than 40 varieties of alder trees growing on the planet.
On the territory of our country there are only a few species of this deciduous plant.
The tree prefers moist soils and grows well in areas with temperate climate, unpretentious in care.
Black alder: Description and photo
Although alder includes many species, among them, as a rule, you can see black alder; it is so called because of the color of its bark. This tree was also described in ancient times. Greek mythology, it most often appears here at fire festivals, being a symbol of the arrival of spring. The tree is a light-loving plant, but at the same time it is quite responsive to moisture. If alder is planted in damp areas, then alder swamps may grow there in the future. But standing water is destructive for this plant.
Black alder grows quite quickly within a year. Mature trees can grow up to 25 meters tall. It pleases with its inflorescences earlier than other plants, since they begin to appear in April. The situation is a little different with fruits that reach their maturity only at the end of next spring.
Unlike other varieties, black alder requires special care. This type It is protected in many countries - Kazakhstan, Moldova and some regions of Russia. Black alder is often used to organize landscape design squares and parks. It can also be used for planting near water bodies to strengthen the shore. It copes with this task perfectly, as it has a branched and fairly wide root system.
Gray alder: Description and photo
This tree is among enough popular types
birch family. Gray alder is distinguished by its large size, as it can grow up to 15 m. For its planting, ravines and banks of reservoirs that are in danger of destruction are selected. For planting material You can use seeds, cuttings or young shoots.
The specific name of alder is related to the color of the tree. The trunk of this plant is characterized by a gray color, the leaves look the same, and brown catkins act as a decorative element. Therefore, when observing a tree that has these characteristics, know that it is an alder. This tree is also valued because of its ability to withstand significant frosts and grow well in nutrient-poor soil, as well as in wetlands.
Heart-leaved alder: Description and photo
As a rule, the plant grows in the Caucasus regions. During the first 50 years of its life, the heartleaf alder quickly reaches a size of more than 25 meters. Most often this tree is used for landscaping. If timber is harvested, its scope of use is almost identical to that of gray and black alder.
Alder is one of the most popular trees in our country and therefore it is logical that the use of this wood is very widespread. The ability to manufacture various products, fairly easy processing, low cost - all these qualities make alder a valuable type of wood.
Variety of alder species in nature
Scope of use
Alder is highly valued not only because of its beautiful appearance, since it has many other useful qualities.
In decorative arts
Alder, which is grown from young seedlings, grows very quickly, often leading to the growth of wild thickets. At this stage life cycle it has a uniform wood structure and is easy to work with. Therefore, it is often used in industry.
For creating artistic carving alder is one of the most common materials. It is used for the production of carved dishes, sculptures and decorative panels. After processing the wood using dry distillation, coals are obtained that are highly valued by artists. Specimens whose trunks are decorated with beads are of great importance in decorative art.
In folk treatment
This plant is also valued as a remedy for treating many diseases. The bark, leaves and cones enriched with tannins have beneficial properties. Considered to be effective healing agents tinctures and decoctions based on cones and leaves, as they have anti-inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic, antibacterial and disinfectant properties.
- to combat eczema and diathesis, use a decoction of flowers, which must be prepared at the beginning of flowering;
- an alcohol infusion of earrings can help people suffering from constipation and hemorrhoids;
- if there is a purulent wound, then you need to apply black alder leaves to it, and it will heal quite quickly.
After a course of antibiotics, you can restore the natural intestinal microflora using a decoction of cones. This remedy will also help cope with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is often used for conditions such as:
- cold;
- inflammation of the throat and nasopharynx;
- pharyngitis;
- angina.
To stop nosebleeds, it is necessary to keep tampons from fresh leaves in the sinuses. Traditional healers advise using a decoction to combat joint pain, arthritis and gout.
Alder in medicine drawing
An effective remedy is dry baths, they are made from fresh leaves.
- they must be heated in an oven or in the sun, and then the leaves are laid out on a bed and the sick person is placed on them. You can also cover the affected parts of the body with heated leaves, and wrap yourself in a warm blanket on top. IN in this case the result will be maximum when this procedure lasts at least an hour;
- This remedy will work even better when the leaves are heated in a deep tub, where the patient must then be seated up to the neck. Using the same scheme, you can fight diseases with the help of birch leaves.
During a visit to the bathhouse it is quite useful to apply alder brooms , having a tonic, disinfecting, cleansing effect, filling the body with energy.
In industry
Ease of wood processing led to the fact that it is often used in industry. Various operations can be performed on this wood, including staining, varnishing and polishing. Also, this wood maintains the integrity of the structure when screws are screwed into it. Changes can occur when hammering nails, this is reflected in the delamination of wood.
Drying alder will not affect its properties in any way: it is short-lived, and during this operation no defects in the form of cracks or warping appear. This property has made alder the most popular material for the production of musical instruments.
Use of alder in industry
Preparation and collection of cones
The most favorable time for harvesting cones is the end of autumn. However, you can continue collecting them until March. Directly collecting cones has certain features: first you need to carefully trim the ends of the branches with cones with pruners, and then collect the fruits from them. Cones lying on the ground do not have the required properties, so they cannot be used. After collecting, the cones are placed in an even layer in the attic or under a canopy, where there must be good air access. When it’s quite warm outside, you can dry the pine cones in the open air, remembering to stir them periodically. When drying fruits correctly save medicinal properties
within 3 years.
Summarizing
Not many people are familiar with such a plant as alder, and in vain. Since it is the first to signal the arrival of spring, starting to bloom even at a time when the snow has not melted. At this stage of its development the tree forms beautiful catkins, giving it even more decorative properties. But alder looks most attractive when it forms cones.
Although in this case you need to be patient, since they will form only next spring. However, alder is of interest not only because of its decorative qualities, since it is often used to prepare effective treatments for diseases and even for smoking. Wood is used in industry, as it easily tolerates various types of processing without becoming covered with any significant defects.
In conditions of moderate temperatures in most zones of Russia, such a well-known tree as alder, which is divided into several species, grows well. Due to its wide distribution and several distinctive quality characteristics in many areas of wood processing enterprises.
Alder belongs to the group of deciduous plants from the birch family. This tree grows and develops well near river banks, in swamps and in high mountain areas. Depending on the environmental conditions surrounding the alder, the type of soil, and temperature changes, the plant can be either a tree or a low-growing shrub.
Alder wood does not have a central core in its trunk, due to which the color of its cut is uniform. After cutting, the cut of the tree is whitish in color, but after lying in the air it gradually acquires a yellowish-red color.
Alder wood is valued for a whole group of its main qualities:
- This wood does not rot when used in water, and therefore it was widely used both in ancient times and now in the manufacture of piles and well foundations.
- Alder wood lends itself well to a wide range of joinery applications. It is easy to cut and plan, the wood produces products of various shapes; craftsmen use alder blanks to create unique crafts.
- The special texture of alder wood harvested in accordance with standards allows it to be painted and processed using various paints, polishes, and stains. Thanks to this valuable quality, wood different types alder is used as a material that imitates, that is, copies, more expensive ones. That is, the practicality of alder wood from this aspect of its use in production can be assessed as five points.
- Alder blanks dry practically without warping, which ensures high efficiency of working with this type of treated wood.
Alder blanks have increased resistance to external mechanical influences and deformation. Among soft-deciduous plants, alder rightfully occupies a leading position among trees that are highly resistant to rotting processes in water.
Photo of alder tree 
Types of alder and their description
According to some data, a little more than 40 species of alder trees grow on the planet. Only a few species of this deciduous tree are common in our state. The plant is unpretentious, grows well in areas with temperate climates, prefers moist soils.
Gray
Gray alder is a short tree, reaching a height of approximately 25 meters. In Russia it grows in the northern regions, Karelia, western Siberia and most areas Central Asia. Harvested wood from gray alder is used less often than from black alder.
This is due to the fact that gray alder often has a crooked trunk and takes a long time to reach the height required for felling. Despite this, gray alder wood is used to make plywood, particle boards, paper, and alder firewood. The environmental friendliness of the toys obtained from this tree species is rated five points. Various boxes and containers are made from prepared wood.
Photo of gray alder
Gray alder Leaves, catkins and cones of gray alder
Black
Black alder has other names. Names often used for this type of plant are sticky alder or European alder. It grows almost everywhere in Russia. Trees growing on moist soils are especially valued, as they quickly reach the required height, have a smooth trunk and the least number of branches.
Black alder wood absorbs the least amount of water, it is coarse-grained and light. Black alder wood is well processed, therefore it is widely used in carpentry in the manufacture of furniture and the bodies of some musical instruments.
They are made from wood and containers for expensive products, such as tea and tobacco. Products in such packaging retain their quality for the longest period of time.
Photo of black alder
Leaves, catkins and cones of black alder Black alder
Cordifolia
Heartleaf alder grows mainly in the Caucasus regions. During the first 40 years of its life, the tree quickly reaches a height of about 30 meters. This tree is used mainly for landscaping. If wood is harvested, its scope of use is almost identical to the scope of use of black and gray alder.
Alder is one of the most common trees in our state and therefore it is not surprising that the use of this wood is widespread. Low cost, fairly easy processing, the ability to manufacture various products - all these qualities make alder an irreplaceable wood species.
This is what a heart-leaved alder looks like in the photo
Density
Alder, regardless of its type and place of growth, is a tree species with high uniform density. That is, the difference between the structure of the earliest annual layers of the plant compared to the most recent ones is insignificant. With a standard humidity of 12%, the average density reaches 525 kg/m3. After the complete drying process, the density reaches 595 kg/m3.
In terms of its main strength parameters, alder wood is superior by several taken into account to such popular trees in logging as and. Also, alder, after proper processing at enterprises and preparation, is practically not inferior in strength to pine and spruce wood.
The average value of different density indicators at natural humidity of 125% is equal to:
Natural humidity
If you measure the moisture content of alder wood immediately after harvesting the marked tree, it will be at a level of approximately 110%. Under conditions of increased moisture absorption, the maximum measured moisture content of alder wood reaches 185%.
Chemical components
Alder wood, like most of the hardwood group, consists of organic matter, mineral compounds. Alder wood also contains unique tannins, referred to as polyphenols. After cutting down a tree, these polyphenols upon contact with air are oxidized and converted into phlobaphenes.
It is the phlobaphenes that determine the changing color of the tree from white to reddish. Phlobafens also give wood high resistance and strength in water. Alder wood is also rich in tannins; these compounds, when reacting with certain chemical reactions with heavy metal salts in water, form unique compounds that increase the strength of the wood.
Due to these elements and properties formed after cutting the trunk, alder wood is little subject to rotting under conditions of use in an aquatic environment and is resistant to the activity of many pathogenic microorganisms for plants.
Ignition temperature
The combustion heat of alder wood is 4.1 kWh/kg. Alder firewood flares up quickly enough, due to the lack of resin it does not emit fumes, burns for a long time and produces a hot flame. Alder firewood has a delicate aroma that lasts for years.
Due to its distinct smell, alder shavings are used for smoking meat and fish. Sawdust generated during the processing of alder is used to produce pressed briquettes used in fireplaces. The thermal conductivity of alder wood reaches the level of 0.15–0.17 W/(m×K).
Color shades and texture of alder wood
If you look at a cut of freshly cut alder, you will notice that its color is almost white. After the alder lies in the air for a while in this form, its color begins to change. At first, sawn and prepared wood turns slightly pink, then it acquires different colors of red, ranging from the lightest, yellowish to deep brown.
The color change occurs due to the release of polyphenols, which in air are converted into a coloring pigment - phlobafen. After alder wood has undergone the correct, standard drying process, its color changes to chocolate.
Alder wood is valued by specialists for its homogeneous structure; it does not have a pronounced core; the annual rings on the cut are practically not separated from each other by any visible effect. The rays emanating from the middle of the tree are also faintly noticeable.
Due to the softness of the wood and its special absorbent parameters, blanks from this plant can be painted in any color shades. With proper processing and preparation of wood, craftsmen receive unique wooden crafts and products that, in their own way, external characteristics completely imitate expensive wood species.
Alder wood standards according to GOST
The grade of alder wood already in the process of harvesting is determined by several parameters. This is the smoothness of the trunk, the number of knots and certain malformations, the most important of which include cracks and curvature of the trunk.
The grade of harvested alder wood largely depends on where the harvested tree grows and whether all conditions for standard wood processing are met during the manufacturing of lumber from it.
The price of alder wood and lumber made from it is estimated by experts at 4 points. The cost of this wood makes it possible to obtain from it cost-effective products used in different areas human life.
Preparation, drying and medicinal properties alders:
Every year, many plants rush to announce the arrival of spring. Alder can also give summer residents a good hint. The photo of this tree allows everyone to understand how beautiful it can look at this time of year. Alder has smooth bark, and its rounded leaves retain their green color until the first frost.
Alder tree: description
This tree has very lush crown, however, it is still somewhat sparse due to the fact that the branches are unevenly distributed. When the snow has not yet melted everywhere, the alder is already signaling the coming of spring, which is manifested in its active flowering. Therefore, it is enough to know when alder blooms to understand that winter is beginning to lose its strength.
Moreover, winds help it get ahead of many other plants when they enter the flowering phase, thanks to which its pollination occurs.
When the alder begins to bloom, it is decorated with beautiful earrings, which are divided into women's and men's. If during formation they look familiar green, then at the ripening stage they become red-brown.
Women's earrings quite small and reach a length of about 1 cm, hang on the branches in groups of up to 8 pieces, a sign of their ripeness is the acquisition of a woody shell. Men's earrings have their own differences in this regard: they grow on branches of 4-5 pieces, they are quite large in size, having a length of 5-9 cm. The appearance of leaves occurs only after the end of alder flowering.
The fruits here are small green cones. Moreover, the latter also differ from each other: some grow wingless, others are filmy or leathery. Throughout the winter, the cones are closed, but with the onset of March they open, causing the seeds to fall into the soil. They reach the ripening stage only at the end of autumn. Alder leaves are a very useful fertilizer because they contain a lot of nitrogen.
Alder as part of a natural complex
On average these trees grow for about 100 years. Although there are also centenarians who can delight with their appearance for 150 years. Their favorite places to grow are areas with moist soil. Therefore, alder can often be found on the banks of various bodies of water.
When favorable factors are combined, thickets - alder forests - can form. In the northern regions, alder grows as a coniferous tree. In the south it has an extremely small representation, which is why it is part of mixed forests along with oak and beech. This tree also feels great with other forest representatives - birch, spruce, oak, linden and aspen.
Alder can be used not only for decorative purposes, but also interesting as a honey plant. During its development, it forms buds and leaves rich in resinous substances, which are used by bees as raw materials for the production of propolis.
You can also find a use for dry alder leaves, because they can be used as livestock feed.
Black Alder: Deciduous Tree
Although this tree includes many species, among them you can most often find black alder, which is so called because of the corresponding color of its bark. This tree is also mentioned in Greek mythology, where it often appears at fire festivals, symbolizing the onset of spring. Alder is a light-loving plant, it is also very responsive to moisture. If you put her in damp places, then subsequently alder swamps may form there. However, standing water is detrimental to it.
Over the course of a year, black alder quickly gains height. Mature plants can grow up to 20 m. It pleases with its flowers earlier than other trees, since they appear already in April. The situation is somewhat different with fruits, which reach the stage of maturity only at the end of next spring.
Unlike other species, black alder requires special care. This variety is protected in many countries - Moldova, Kazakhstan and certain regions of Russia. Black alder is often used to create landscape designs for parks and squares. It can also be used for planting along reservoirs, with the goal of strengthening the banks. It copes with this task perfectly, since it has a widely branched root system.
Beauty with brown earrings
Gray alder is one of the fairly common species of the birch family. It stands out for its large size, since it can grow up to 16 m. For its planting, they choose the banks of reservoirs and ravines that are in danger of destruction. To obtain planting material, you can use young shoots, cuttings or seeds.
The trunk of this tree has a characteristic gray color, the leaves also look the same; brown catkins act as a decorative part. Therefore, when you see a tree that has these signs, know that this is an alder. This plant is prized by many for its ability to withstand severe frosts and grow well in nutrient-poor soils and wetlands.
Scope of application
Alder is valued not only for its attractive appearance, as it has many other useful properties.
In decorative arts
Alder grown from young seedlings grows quite quickly, this often leads to the appearance of wild thickets. At this stage of the life cycle it has a uniform wood structure that is easy to process. Because of this, it is often used in industry.
Alder is one of the popular materials for creating artistic carvings. It is used in the manufacture of carved dishes, decorative panels and sculptures. As a result of processing wood using the dry distillation method, it is possible to obtain coals that are highly valued by artists. Specimens whose trunks are decorated with beads acquire particular decorative significance.
In folk medicine
This tree is also valued as a remedy for many diseases. Alder cones, leaves and bark have beneficial properties, rich in tannins. Effective medicines are decoctions and tinctures based on alder cones and bark, as they have an astringent, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, antibacterial and hemostatic effect.
- if there is a purulent wound, then it is enough to apply a leaf of black alder tree to it, and very soon it will heal;
- vodka infusion of earrings can help people who suffer from hemorrhoids and constipation;
- To combat diathesis and eczema, a decoction of flowers is used, which must be prepared at the very beginning of flowering.
You can restore the natural intestinal microflora after a course of antibiotics using a decoction of alder cones. This remedy also helps cope with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is often used for such conditions, How:
- inflammation of the nasopharynx and throat;
- cold;
- angina;
- pharyngitis.
In order to stop bleeding from the nose, it is useful to keep tampons made from fresh alder leaves in it. Traditional healers recommend taking a decoction to combat gout, arthritis and joint pain.
An effective remedy is dry baths, which are prepared from freshly picked leaves.
- they should be heated in the sun or in a stove, and then they are laid on the bed and the patient is allowed to lie on them. You can also cover the affected areas of the body with heated alder leaves, and wrap a warm blanket on top. In this case, the effect will be maximum if such a procedure lasts at least an hour;
- This remedy works even better if the leaves are heated in a deep tub, in which the patient must then be placed up to his neck. According to the same scheme, they fight ailments using birch leaves.
When visiting a bathhouse, it is very useful to use alder brooms, which have a cleansing, disinfecting, tonic effect, and can also fill the body with energy.
In production
The ease of processing alder wood has led to its often used in industry. Various operations can be carried out on it, including polishing, varnishing and staining. This tree also maintains its integrity when screws are screwed into it. Changes can be observed when nails are driven in, which manifests itself as peeling of the wood.
Drying alder does not affect its properties in any way: it takes a minimum of time, and during this operation no defects such as warping or cracks occur. This feature has made alder one of the most preferred materials for the manufacture of musical instruments and accessories.
Collection and preparation of cones
The favorable moment for harvesting cones comes at the end of autumn. Moreover, you can continue collecting them until March. The process of collecting cones itself has its own characteristics: first you need to carefully trim the ends of the branches with cones with pruning shears, and then fruits are plucked from them. Cones that lie on the ground do not have the necessary properties, so they cannot be used. After harvesting, the cones are laid out in an even layer under a canopy or in the attic, where air access must be provided, where the drying procedure is carried out. If it is warm enough outside, then you can dry the fruits in the open air, remembering to stir them from time to time. With proper drying, the buds retain their beneficial features for three years.
Conclusion
Few of us are familiar with such a tree as alder, and in vain. After all, it is one of the first to signal the onset of spring, starting early flowering even at the moment when all the snow has not yet melted. At this stage of its development, the tree makes beautiful earrings, which give it even more decorative properties. However, alder looks most attractive when it has cones.
Although in this case you will have to be patient, since they are formed only next spring. But alder is of interest not only because of its decorative properties, because it is often used for making effective drugs for the treatment of diseases. Wood is used in industry, because it easily tolerates different kinds processing without any serious defects.