Description
Betulaceae:(family name)
Forage for Pollinators: This tree produces pollen for all bees, from its yellow, male catkins to 10cm long, though visited by bees the tree is mainly wind-pollinated, no nectar is produced. It is good for biodiversity and produces seed as food for wildlife.
Flowering time: March
Growing information: DECIDUOUS TREE, medium-sized, fast growing to 25m (80’) x 8m (25’), growing slightly larger than any other Alder. Italian Alder is native to Corsica and Southern Italy and is hardy to minus,-25ºC, it is tolerant of fairly dry sites and alkaline soils, in UK it prefers warmer areas on fair to medium nutrient-rich soil. It fixes nitrogen in the soil which benefits crops or other plants growing nearby in agroforestry systems. May be susceptible to Phytophthora alni – root and collar rot (though less so than A. Glutinosa).
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
