Italian Alder
The Italian Alder is a medium-sized, slow-growing tree with dark-green, heart-shaped leaves and yellowish catkins. ("Italian alder (alnus," )This tree has large cone-like fruits and can be used as winter decorations. The tree is extremely adaptable even coming from Southern Italy. The Italian Adler’s scientific name is Alnus Cordata. ("Alnus cordata," 2013) Alnus is the common name to identify this tree as a flowering tree belonging to the birch family Betulaceae.
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Quick Facts About the Tree
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Community Surrounding the Tree
The catkins of Italian Alder provide early pollen for bees and the over-wintering cones are a good food source for birds
The catkins of Italian Alder provide early pollen for bees and the over-wintering cones are a good food source for birds
The Italian Adler is a large tree with slick green leaves. The tree can grow to rather large heights even in California climates. The bark is a dark wood and has some cracks in the trunk. This tree can be home to different birds who chose to eat the catkins, or the bees that stop to pollinate. This tree is a beautiful addition to parks, neighborhoods or even front yards. |
EnthobotonyThe catkins have some form of edibility however; the wood of the Adler tree was most commonly used for survival purposes. The Native Indians would use the bark of the tree to smoke different kinds of fish, as well as use the wood in their smoke mixtures of bearberry leaf to make it taste better. The more common use of Adler wood is used in the Fender guitars. Adler wood has a tight even tone and is more eye-catching than different types of wood. The strength of the wood is also good for furniture.
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Current Research
Louis the Plant Geek took on the experiment of growing the Italian Alder in different soils in the early part of spring of this year. “Alnus cordata is most unusual among alders in its tolerance of very dry soils; alders are normally trees for moist or even wet ground.” (Raymond, 2013) This shows how adaptable this tree really is. Being able to grow in different soils helps ensure that the plant will survive with weather changes. Planting this tree above water lines puts the moisture to the ultimate test. In this journal he planted the Italian Alder as a shrub and not as a tree. The more one prunes the tree the smaller it stays and fixes in a formation.
In the Oxford journal Tognetti and Borghetti did a research of the Italian Alder. “ We investigated the vulnerability of xylem to embolism and the seasonal occurrence of xylem embolism in Italian alder (Alnus cordata Loisel.) by acoustic and hydraulic methods.” (Tognetti, 1993) The studied showed how the roots and the branch segments were affected in result of the dehydrating in air. Even though I could not see all the research on this experiment it seemed to me like the Italian Alder that the emissions in root, stem and branches were lower due to the seasonal occurrence.
In the Oxford journal Tognetti and Borghetti did a research of the Italian Alder. “ We investigated the vulnerability of xylem to embolism and the seasonal occurrence of xylem embolism in Italian alder (Alnus cordata Loisel.) by acoustic and hydraulic methods.” (Tognetti, 1993) The studied showed how the roots and the branch segments were affected in result of the dehydrating in air. Even though I could not see all the research on this experiment it seemed to me like the Italian Alder that the emissions in root, stem and branches were lower due to the seasonal occurrence.
Creative Writing
The daily walk that I take to my classes I embrace all the colors around me. The trees all have their own personalities, just as every student at Chico State has their own personality. This makes me realize how unique trees are. Not every tree is the same. The different leaves patterns to the types of bark, there are so many differences between trees it is unfathomable. Putting perspective into one’s life helps realize that there is so much to learn not only about ourselves but the world around us. Some people go through their days not being curious about the things that they pass. I know that when I see something interesting like the different leaf shapes on trees it opens my mind to a world of possibilities of what type of leave it could be. This tree assignment has helped put perspective into my life.
Not everyone gets the opportunity to study on such a lush campus. At Chico State it is a priority to keep our campus well taken care of. We have over two hundred species of trees and counting. Chico state has many beautiful trees surrounding the campus. The nature aspect of Chico State helps set us apart from other Universities. Yeah, maybe we aren't on miles of stretched out beach but we do have a campus that makes one feel at home. This is a feeling that makes me remember this world is full of beautiful things but not everyone opens their eyes to see it.
I was fortunate enough to get the Italian Alder tree. The strong trunk of the tree and the glossy leaves make this tree one of a kind. Even though this tree does not originate in California, it grows quite well in our warm weather. The cones of this tree, I also learned are most commonly used around Christmas time. Once lazy fall days turn into cold winter mornings, I know I will be visiting my tree to capture the beauty that it sheds in the colder climates.
Not everyone gets the opportunity to study on such a lush campus. At Chico State it is a priority to keep our campus well taken care of. We have over two hundred species of trees and counting. Chico state has many beautiful trees surrounding the campus. The nature aspect of Chico State helps set us apart from other Universities. Yeah, maybe we aren't on miles of stretched out beach but we do have a campus that makes one feel at home. This is a feeling that makes me remember this world is full of beautiful things but not everyone opens their eyes to see it.
I was fortunate enough to get the Italian Alder tree. The strong trunk of the tree and the glossy leaves make this tree one of a kind. Even though this tree does not originate in California, it grows quite well in our warm weather. The cones of this tree, I also learned are most commonly used around Christmas time. Once lazy fall days turn into cold winter mornings, I know I will be visiting my tree to capture the beauty that it sheds in the colder climates.
References
Italian alder (alnus cordata). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.stihl.com/792.aspx?idTree=15
Alnus cordata (italian alder). (2013). Retrieved from http://www.britishhardwood.co.uk/alnus-cordata-italian-alder/124/
Alnus cordata. (2013, May 20). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnus_cordata
EUFORGEN Secretariat. (2003). Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use alnus cordata alnus cordata aln alnus cordata italian alder. (Master's thesis), Available from http://www.euforgen.org/fileadmin/bioversity/publications/pdfs/1370_Italian alder (Alnus cordata).pdf. (ISBN 978-92-9043-786-4).
Burghardt, J. (2008). Facts about the alder tree. Retrieved from http://www.gardenguides.com/112008-alder-tree.html
Raymond, L. (2013). Italian alder. A Gardening Journal , Retrieved from http://www.louistheplantgeek.com/a-gardening-journal/650-alnus-cordata
Tognetti, R. (1993). Formation and seasonal occurrence of xylem embolism in alnus cordata. Tree Physiology , Retrieved from http://treephys.oxfordjournals.org/content/14/3/241.abstract
Alnus cordata (italian alder). (2013). Retrieved from http://www.britishhardwood.co.uk/alnus-cordata-italian-alder/124/
Alnus cordata. (2013, May 20). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnus_cordata
EUFORGEN Secretariat. (2003). Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use alnus cordata alnus cordata aln alnus cordata italian alder. (Master's thesis), Available from http://www.euforgen.org/fileadmin/bioversity/publications/pdfs/1370_Italian alder (Alnus cordata).pdf. (ISBN 978-92-9043-786-4).
Burghardt, J. (2008). Facts about the alder tree. Retrieved from http://www.gardenguides.com/112008-alder-tree.html
Raymond, L. (2013). Italian alder. A Gardening Journal , Retrieved from http://www.louistheplantgeek.com/a-gardening-journal/650-alnus-cordata
Tognetti, R. (1993). Formation and seasonal occurrence of xylem embolism in alnus cordata. Tree Physiology , Retrieved from http://treephys.oxfordjournals.org/content/14/3/241.abstract