Black alder is a deciduous tree species native to Europe and belongs to the birch family. In the different birch family, the female and male catkins are united. Alder grows mainly near water and even in floodplains. Due to the reddish discoloration on the cut parts of the freshly cut wood, it is also popularly called red alder.
Occurrence and cultivation of black alder
Black alder is a deciduous tree species native to Europe and belongs to the birch family. Due to the reddish discoloration in the cut areas of the freshly cut wood, it is also fondly referred to as red alder. The black alder is found in almost all of Europe, Siberia, Western Asia, and North Africa. It lives between 100 and 120 years. Germany’s largest alder forest is located in the Spreewald. The tree makes high demands on soil moisture. Locations that are permanently dry are not colonized by the alder. It is therefore often found on lakes, rivers, streams, bogs and other generally wet sites. Nutrient content, on the other hand, is of little importance to the tree. The soil can be nutrient poor or nutrient rich. The black alder, a typical tree of the lowlands, which can also be found in the mountains, can reach a height of more than 25 meters and a trunk diameter of almost one meter. The latter is usually straight all the way to the top. The smooth bark is initially glossy greenish-brown before later becoming barky dark gray to black and fissured into vertical plates. The broad conical crown of the black alder is relatively loose and can grow up to twelve meters wide. The alternate and stalked leaves are up to ten centimeters long as well as obovate and usually indented on top. The color is dark green and somewhat shiny. The long-stalked, reddish-brown to brownish-purple and glabrous lateral buds protrude from the branch. The tree forms an intense heart root system that reaches very deep. The black alder bears small nodules on the roots. Bacteria live in them, which are able to bind free nitrogen in the air. The black alder flowers in March and April for about two to four weeks. The fruits are ripe in September to October. These are nutlets that are two to four millimeters in size.
Effect and use
The black alder is used as a medicinal plant, because it has, for example, a fever-reducing and wound-healing effect. The leaves and the bark of the branches are used. A tea prepared from black alder tastes bitter and tart, but has a pleasant smell. The dried leaves of black alder are also often combined with walnut and sage leaves. These facilitate weaning. Alder is also used in homeopathy, because the ingredients provide psychological, emotional and spiritual protection. Black alder strengthens the inner protective shield by ensuring that the sufferer uses his or her mind and looks at everything in a more differentiated way. During a successful treatment with the Alder, the user succeeds in freeing himself from prejudices or fears. It also helps to develop balance and caring, but without abandoning oneself. The black alder relieves stress, nervousness and emotional fluctuations. Furthermore, the tree is excellent as a solitary and group shrub, for example, for the edges of water bodies or wet park meadows. In forestry, the alder is also used as a pioneer tree species on dumps and wasteland. The reddish-white and fast drying wood can be worked well and is therefore suitable for carving, turning, carpentry, making musical instruments, as plywood as well as for the field of sculpture. When colored, it is often used as a substitute for walnut or mahogany. The structure of the wood is uniform and it has a very fine grain. The annual rings of different widths hardly stand out. Black alder, which is not weatherproof, is susceptible to insects and fungi, but the wood is very durable under water. For this reason, many houses in Venice are built on alder piles. The black alder is also popular for smoking. In particular, the strong-stemmed trees are highly sought after in wood and furniture construction due to the soft and universally usable wood. Therefore, the black alder is one of the hardwoods that are popular for the production of solid wood furniture.Rough clogs are also made from the alder wood in some areas. The sawdust from the wood of alder is very popular for smoking fish or meat because of its fine aroma.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
The important ingredients of the medicinal plant black alder include tannin and fatty substances. Alder, which has an internal and external application in medicine, is used, for example, for angina, sore throat, tonsillitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, bumps, abrasions and skin ulcers. For the latter, the smoothed leaves are placed on the sore feet, which can bring very good results. The leaves and bark of the tree yield drugs containing tannins, which are used externally. Used internally, they also help with various diseases, for example, rheumatism and intestinal bleeding. The ingredients also have an antipyretic effect. Black alder can also help with fatigue or dejection, because it makes you fit again. Shoes lined with the leaves of black alder help against tired feet. Although the applications with medicinal herbs often have a positive effect on a wide variety of ailments, nevertheless, before using the medicinal plants should always consult a doctor.
