In river valleys, along streams, in swamps, an inconspicuous tree grows, occupying a modest place in the forest flora - alder. Alder is a tree or shrub, belongs to the birch family, trees can reach a height of 5...15 m. There are two types of alder: gray (white) and sticky (black).
Gray alder has shiny, silver-gray, smooth bark; the sticky one is grayish-brown with resinous-smelling glands on young branches. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, in gray alder they are elliptical with a pointed apex, double-toothed at the edge, non-sticky, glabrous above, dark green, pubescent below, light green, with an unevenly serrated edge; Sticky alder's young leaves stick to your hands. The lower surface of the leaves is characterized by tufts of hairs in the corners of the veins. Flowers are small unisexual fruits collected in earrings; male flowers are long, arranged in groups of 3...5 pieces, female flowers are oval, arranged in groups of 8-10 pieces. By autumn, the flowers become woody, turning into brown cones. Alder blooms in March-April before the leaves appear. The fruits in the form of small nuts ripen in September-October.
Alder description
Depending on its age, alder can appear as either a shrub or a tree. The rhizome of this perennial is well developed and located near the surface, so large specimens lose stability in strong gusts of wind. As they grow older, swellings form on the root layers, which are filled with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Bacteria are responsible for absorbing and processing nitrogen from the atmosphere. As a result, the soil is enriched. The bark of the shoots with a round cross-section is colored gray-brown. In areas where young branches form, smooth wrinkles appear. The bark of new shoots is streaked with small triangular or heart-shaped lentils.
The oval leaf blades have rounded ends and jagged edges. The side of the leaf is smooth, wrinkles can be felt only in the middle of the veins. The leaves are arranged in a regular order and are attached to small petioles. The branches quickly lose their stipules.
In May, unisexual inflorescences begin to bloom. The stamens are concentrated at the tops of the shoots and are located inside long, caterpillar-like earring flowers, colored brownish or yellowish. Earrings, consisting of pistillate flowers, look like short spikelets, and are located in the lower part of the shoot. Alder becomes covered with inflorescences simultaneously with the appearance of foliage.
The pollination process is carried out by the wind. Ripe fruits look like tiny cones consisting of rusty scales. Cones can be seen on branches in late September or October. They are filled with winged nuts that act as ripened seeds. When the cone is fully ripe, the nut spills out through the open doors. Sometimes the achenes are stored in cones for the winter. Thanks to the wind, alder seeds are carried very far. Water can carry them a long distance.
Growing alder
For cultural cultivation of alder, seed and root propagation methods are used, as well as cuttings. Seed propagation and self-seeding are more popular. In September or October, when the cones ripen, the seeds are released and sown independently in open ground. Once in the soil, they are stratified naturally and the next year, saturated with moisture from melt water, they produce the first shoots.
Alder seeds are sent into the ground to a depth of 3 cm and sprinkled with earth. First, low growth is formed. When the rhizome grows properly, the seedlings will begin to grow stronger and will soon turn into a spreading shrub, which will increase in length by 50-100 cm every subsequent year.
After some time, young branches bloom, which increase their growth by more than one meter annually. In the spring, the offspring are dug up, preserving a lump of soil, and transplanted to a permanent place of residence.
Cuttings are harvested in the summer or spring months. The length of the cut cuttings should be about 12-16 cm. Rooting occurs directly in open ground. The plant takes root better if the end of the cutting is treated with a stimulant. Planted alder cuttings need regular watering. In a few months they will take root and become stronger enough to overwinter on their own.
Chemical composition
The benefits and harms of alder fruits are explained by their chemical composition. Mature tree cones contain many useful substances. Namely:
- tannins;
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- gallic acid;
- steroids;
- terpenoids;
- fixed oils;
- chlorogenic acid;
- protocatechuic acid.
When properly processed, buds can be beneficial for many inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders.
Planting and caring for alder
Planting and caring for alder does not present any particular difficulties for gardeners. The tree is unpretentious to the site where it is grown and the choice of soil. Easily adapts to life on open sunny loams or on low-nutrient sandstones located in partial shade. Nitrogen bacteria are able to create their own nutrient layer for the root system of a tree. However, a species such as black alder develops well only on moist, fertile substrates. Representatives of the Berezovs are used as landscapers in the area around reservoirs. Their roots not only ennoble, but also strengthen the coastal boundaries of the land.
The tree is planted in soil that has a neutral and slightly alkaline environment. The soil is enriched in advance with humus, mineral fertilizer and sprinkled with lime. It is better to organize alder planting during the growing season. The bottom of the hole is filled with drainage material; sand or crushed stone will do. The seedling is deepened so that the root collar is at surface level. The area around the trunk is moistened and carefully mulched with straw and peat, trying not to damage the young root layers.
There is almost no need to further care for the alder seedling. It is watered regularly throughout the year, but moderate watering is maintained, without excess water in the soil. To ensure that the roots receive the necessary amount of oxygen, periodic weeding is done. Tools should not be deeply buried, otherwise the root system will be damaged.
A young tree also needs organic feeding. In a year, the seedlings will be able to grow independently without any fertilizers.
Before the arrival of winter, the trees are not prepared in any special way, since the Berezov family calmly survives even the cold and frost that occurs in the harsh northern regions.
Alder is exposed to fungal diseases. The fungus causes changes in the shape of leaves and flowers. As soon as the first symptoms have been detected, the tree is treated with a fungicide solution. The parasitic threat is the woodworm larvae that eat the bark of young branches. These pests are controlled using insecticides. If most of the branch is damaged, it will have to be cut down.
The use of alder cones in folk medicine
Basically, alder fruits are used for therapy for intestinal and gastric diseases. But traditional medicine also offers other options for use.
The use of alder cones for diarrhea and diarrhea
Alder fruits contain a lot of tannins and have a fixative effect on diarrhea. The following decoction brings good results:
- dried cones are crushed in a volume of 10 g;
- pour a glass of hot water;
- bring to a boil over low heat and immediately remove from the stove;
- keep covered for two hours;
- filter through cheesecloth.
Adults should take a decoction of alder cones for diarrhea, 1/4 cup on an empty stomach each time before meals. The product will help cope with loose, frequent stools and improve digestion.
Important! The decoction should be consumed for no more than two days. If during this time the treatment does not produce results and the diarrhea does not stop, you should consult a doctor.
Alder cones for rheumatism and arthritis
For joint diseases, use alder cone balm or liquid ointment. The recipe looks like this:
- two large spoons of alder fruits and aspen bark are crushed and mixed;
- add a large spoonful of chopped cinquefoil;
- pour the mixture into a glass of hot liquid and place in a water bath;
- simmer the product over low heat for a quarter of an hour;
- remove from the stove and leave until cool.
75 ml of alcohol and 30 ml of unrefined sunflower oil are added to the strained broth, after which the preparation is put in the refrigerator for a week. Before use, shake the product, then rub it into the sore joints for several minutes, and then cover the treated area with a bandage.
Alder cones with dysbacteriosis
Plant raw materials help well with dysbiosis that occurs due to poisoning or long-term use of antibiotics. Traditional medicine recommends preparing the following decoction:
- alder fruits are crushed in the volume of two large spoons;
- pour 250 ml of hot liquid;
- simmer over low heat for ten minutes;
- pass through a sieve and folded gauze;
- top up with clean water to the original volume.
The decoction should be taken three times a day with a large spoon.
A decoction of alder cones restores intestinal microflora and eliminates flatulence and discomfort
Alder cones for stomach ulcers
Treatment with alder cones is carried out for chronic peptic ulcer disease. The medicine is made as follows:
- pour two large spoons of pine cones into a glass of boiling water;
- boil over medium heat for about 15 minutes;
- cover the container with a lid, wrap it in a towel and leave for an hour;
- filter the sediment remover.
The infusion should be taken twice a day, half a glass on an empty stomach.
Attention! In case of exacerbations of a peptic ulcer, it is better to refuse the decoction and wait until the disease is in remission.
Alder cones for sore throat
Anti-inflammatory substances in the composition of tree fruits fight bacterial processes in sore throat. Alder decoction softens an irritated throat, relieves pain and promotes rapid recovery of mucous membranes. The medicine is prepared according to the following recipe:
- 30 g of crushed cones are poured into 500 ml of water;
- simmer over low heat for 15 minutes;
- remove the pan from the stove and leave it covered for two hours;
- strain the broth through a layer of gauze.
A warm solution is used to gargle. In the first days of the development of the disease, the procedure can be performed hourly.
Alder cones for inflammation of the appendages
Alder fruits are beneficial for gynecological inflammations. In particular, for diseases of the appendages in women, it is recommended to prepare the following compound decoction:
- alder fruits are crushed in an amount of 20 g;
- mixed with an equal volume of dry white willow bark;
- measure out a large spoon of the mixture and pour a glass of fresh boiling water;
- keep in a water bath over low heat for ten minutes;
- leave until cool and pass through cheesecloth to filter.
We recommend reading: Properties and uses of wintergreen essential oil (wintergreen)
You need to drink half a glass twice a day, shortly before breakfast and before dinner. In total, treatment is continued until the condition improves.
Alder cones for laryngitis
Tannins and organic acids in alder fruits have a beneficial effect on laryngitis, help cope with inflammatory processes, and eliminate sore throat and cough. A medicine based on herbal raw materials is prepared as follows:
- five large spoons of crushed fruits are poured into 1 liter of water;
- put the product on moderate heat and boil for half an hour;
- remove from the stove and keep covered for another hour until cool;
- filter through a layer of gauze.
The decoction should be used for rinsing up to five times a day.
Before use, the alder decoction on the cones is heated until warm.
Types of alder with photos
Today, the alder tree is divided into 29 species. Such information is not completely reliable, since the plant shows a tendency to change and acquire hybrid properties of other trees and shrubs.
Black alder (Alnus glutinosa)
It grows in the countries of Western Asia, North Africa, and is also found in Europe. This tree reaches about 35 m in height. The diameter of wide trunks often approaches 90 cm. The pyramid-shaped crown is formed by perpendicularly located branches. A plant aged 5 to 10 years grows its foliage and shoots to its maximum. Black alder can grow in one place in the wild for up to 100 years. There is even mention of three-hundred-year-old specimens.
The branched rhizome is located close to the soil surface and is covered with small diameter nodules. The foliage is round, dissected with feathery veins. The size of the leaves does not exceed 7 cm. On the tops of the branches, with the arrival of spring, yellow-brown catkins bloom, the length of which is about 4-7 cm. Flexible pistillate catkins grow with a diameter of no more than 2 cm. Flattened spherical cones measuring 3 mm are colored in a reddish-brown tone .
More about black alder
Red alder (Alnus rubra)
This is an attractive ornamental perennial that can reach a height of 20 m. The greyish bark is smooth to the touch. The color of newly formed sprouts is dark red. Young bushes and trees have dense foliage, but over time it is lost. Pointed leaf blades are oblong in shape and rich dark in color. The outside of the leaves are covered with a layer of red fibers. The inflorescences containing stamens are iridescent red-brown. The length of the cones of this type does not exceed 25 mm.
Gray alder (Alnus incana)
The plant easily adapts to any conditions and has a narrow egg-shaped crown. The trunk is slightly curved, the cross-sectional diameter is approximately 50 cm. The bark is streaked with outgrowths and depressions. Young shoots of gray alder quickly increase in length. The rhizome lies at a depth of 20 cm. The surface of the dark gray bark is sticky to the touch. The lanceolate foliage is smooth and leathery on the outside and hairy on the inside. The pile is silvery and thick. The size of the leaves is usually from 3 to 10 cm. The catkins bloom in March-April, before the leaves begin to bloom.
More about gray alder
When and how to collect alder cones
The time to collect alder cones occurs at unusual times, from late autumn to early spring. It is in winter that the fruits contain the maximum amount of tannins, tannins and anti-inflammatory components. They are collected together with the shoots - first, they carefully cut off the tops of thin branches from the tree, and only then pick off the cones.
Although winter alder fruits are quite hard, they still need to be thoroughly dried before harvesting. The raw materials are laid out in the attic or in a warm room with good ventilation and left until the buds become completely hard and brittle. From time to time, the fruits are turned to prevent mold and mildew from appearing. For storage, the workpieces are stored in paper bags or fabric bags in a dry place, protected from bright light. The cones retain their medicinal properties for two years.
It is advisable to collect cones in winter in dry, frosty weather.
Advice! For quick drying, you can use an oven or electric dryer heated to a temperature of no more than 50 °C.
