Watering black alder

• Black Alder Origin
• Black alder and location
• Cutting black alder
• Fertilizing black alder
• Watering black alder

Black Alder Origin

The black alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a deciduous tree belonging to the birch family. It is found mainly in Europe and northern Asia, especially in moist forests and along riverbanks, as it thrives best in damp soils.

In the mythology and folklore of the Celts and Germanic tribes, the black alder was revered as a sacred tree. It symbolized the connection between earth and heaven and was associated with the element of water and the god Bran. The black alder was also planted as a protective tree for houses and cemeteries, as it was believed to keep evil spirits away.

The black alder is a fast-growing tree, typically reaching a height of 15 to 25 meters. It forms a broad, spreading crown and is therefore particularly well-suited as an avenue tree. The black alder's flowers appear in spring and are arranged in small, green catkins that hang from the branches. 
The leaves are oblong and have a smooth, dark green surface. They are arranged alternately and have crenate to slightly serrated edges. 
The fruits of the black alder are small nuts that grow in woody, cone-like fruit clusters. They are oblong and brown in color. The nuts are eaten by birds and serve as an important food source in winter.

The black alder is an important component of many forests and also plays a significant role in landscape management. In suitable locations, it is undemanding and easy to care for.

Black Alder Care and Location

The black alder prefers a sunny location and moist, nutrient-rich soil. It thrives particularly well in river floodplains and on the banks of bodies of water. It grows less well on dry, sandy or clayey soils. The black alder is not very resistant to drought, but it can certainly be planted in locations with slightly less moisture as long as it gets enough water.

Cutting black alder

The black alder should not be cut back too much, otherwise it will lose its natural growth. Pruning Therefore, pruning should only be done on necessary branches. To keep the tree healthy and strong, crown thinning is recommended. This involves removing older and superfluous branches, allowing the tree to receive more air and light. This also stimulates new shoots, resulting in a denser and more compact tree. The cuts should be made cleanly. 

Fertilizing black alder

Young black alders benefit from organic fertilizers in spring and autumn Fertilizer such as compost or horn shavings. Fertilization is usually no longer necessary at an advanced age. However, depending on the location, it may be advisable to fertilize the black alder occasionally. To keep the soil moist and nutrient-rich and promote the growth of the black alder, a layer of mulch is recommended. mulch layer prevents moisture evaporation and suppresses weed growth.

Watering black alder

The black alder thrives particularly in moist locations and therefore requires sufficient water. Especially during the first few months after planting, the black alder should be watered regularly to support its rooting. The water requirements of a black alder depend on various factors, such as the age and size of the tree, the location, the soil, and the climate. Climate change has a wide range of impacts on nature, and many trees suffer from the hot and dry periods. In certain locations and under certain climatic conditions, the black alder may need to be watered more frequently than in the past. As a guideline, young trees may need up to 100 liters and older trees 200 liters per watering.

This information is for guidance only. The actual water requirement can vary from tree to tree, so it is advisable to check the soil moisture regularly.

In contrast to watering with a garden hose, using tree bath watering bags an even moisture level in the soil is achieved. The water is released drop by drop over several hours through two holes in the bottom of the bag. This allows the roots near the surface to absorb the water well.