Taxonomy
Alnus glutinosa | Alder | Fearnóg
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not protected
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Flowers: March – April; catkins,
resembling small pine cones when old
Fruits: Small winged seeds
Twigs & bark: Twigs with raised
orange spots; bark dark brown, fissured
when mature
Habitat
River-side and damp woods, basic to moderately acidic soils
Life cycle
Perennial
Ex-situ conservation
Not known
Use
Stabilisation/anti-erosion
Vegetative nature
Woody
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Widespread and common
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2023
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Further information
Fast growing tree, quick to colonise. The wood is slow to rot, and is often used to make sluice gates in canals and were used to make round shields in ancient times.
Alnus glutinosa is a nitrogen-fixer. It has symbiotic relationship with a bacterium which are found in its root nodules. This improves the fertility of the soil. It is also an important pioneer species in ecological succession. The wood has been used for building, especially in water logged conditions due to its durability.