Alder - Italian (Alnus cordata)

Our range of Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) bare root trees

We have Alnus cordata bare root plants in several specifications and heights.  This species does not grow from seed quickly and needs to be lined out to develop a viable root structure so we offer Alnus cordata as transplants (1+1) which began as a one year old whip (grown from seed in one growing season) and are then planted back out for one more growing season in a different area of our fields at lower density to give each plant more space, nutrients and water.

In addition, we have cell grown Alnus cordata which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers and these can be planted all year round.

The seed from which our Alnus cordata tree saplings are grown is usually UK provenance but we sometimes also have some of the highest quality imported seed so if it is important to you to have UK provenance seed, please give us a call.

You can read more about the specifications we offer on the tab just below the pricing table to the right of this product description.

Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) Summary

All of the Alder varieties are tolerant of wet soils, but this variety will also cope well with dry soils (it is native to Italy so that’s always a good indicator of soil conditions that can be tolerated).  It is very fast growing initially (1-2m) and it is the accepted favourite variety to plant as a windbreak on the windy side of orchards (see our blog on this topic).

Like Alnus glutinosa, it is a medium height, conical tree with catkins in early spring (good for bees).

Please be aware that Alder varieties are deep rooted so do not plant near a building/road/pavement where eventually roots could cause damage.

Soil and situation

Italian Alder is fine on all soils – wet or dry.  It’s a good choice for thin topsoil areas as it can hold soil over rocks.  Like other Alders, it is nitrogen fixing so it does well in poor soils and can over time improve the soil too to benefit other nearby trees. They don’t like heavy shade, but will grow well in full sun or partial shade.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

The leaves of Italian Alder are green, shaped like a pear and glossy.  They have male and female catkins – the male are long and green and the female are cone like and quite large compared with Alnus glutinosa.

Eventual height and growth rate

The mature height is from 12m to 20m, sometimes a bit more in an ideal situation. Growth rate is fast – 1-2m until maturity.   It is this fast growth rate that makes it good for windbreaks – it does the job quickly!

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)