Alnus nitida
| Alnus nitida | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |    |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 98' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Alnus nitida
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[1]. Spring sown seed should also germinate successfully so long as it is not covered[1][K]. The seed should germinate in the spring as the weather warms up. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If growth is sufficient, it is possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in pots outdoors and plant them out in the spring.
If you have sufficient quantity of seed, it can be sown thinly in an outdoor seed bed in the spring[2]. The seedlings can either be planted out into their permanent positions in the autumn/winter, or they can be allowed to grow on in the seed bed for a further season before planting them.
Cuttings of mature wood, taken as soon as the leaves fall in autumn, outdoors in sandy soil.
Cultivation: Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[3][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[4]. Tolerates drier soils than most members of this genus[1]. Succeeds in very infertile sites[1].
Trees probably tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and so will not succeed outdoors in the colder areas of the country.
A very ornamental tree[3].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[1].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat: By rivers and streams, 600 - 1200 metres, occasionally to 2700 metres[5].
Medicinal: A decoction of the bark is applied externally to treat swellings and body pains[6].
Usage: Tannin is obtained from the bark, it is used in dyeing[5][7][6].
Wood - soft, even grained, hard to cut. Used for construction and furniture[5][7][6].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Monoecious
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: Clethropsis nitida.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.