The plant prefers high altitudes and a climate with temperatures occasionally dropping below 0°C. It thrives in areas with an average rainfall of 1000 - 3000 mm or more. Its natural habitat includes Central and South America, and it has been successfully established in the South Island of New Zealand.
Black alder
The Alnu acuminaa, also known as aliso, ramram, labran, and jaul, is a tree native to Central and South America that can tolerate temperatures below freezing. It has a spreading root system and thrives in high-altitude areas with ample rainfall. The timber from this tree is used for various purposes, including bridge construction, furniture, and pulp production.
Alnu acuminaa, Alnu cordaa, Alnu gluinoa
Alnu acuminaa (aliso, ramram, labran, jaul) is native to Central and South America.
This plant, also known as aliso, ramram, labran, and jaul, is a tree native to the high altitudes of Central and South America. It can withstand temperatures that briefly dip below 0°C and is able to thrive in areas with a usual rainfall of 1000 - 3000 mm or more. The tree has a broad and spreading root system just below the soil. It has been successfully established in the South Island of New Zealand and is propagated by seed. The timber of this tree is used for various purposes, including bridge construction, pilings, furniture, coffins, crates, plywood, and pulp. The tree is known to coppice, and its wood is particularly useful for waterside structures as it grows harder in water and becomes remarkably strong when permanently submerged. The wood has also been used for clogs, turnery, chair making, carts, spinning wheels, bowls, spoons, wooden heels, herring barrel staves, carving, and making charcoal for gunpowder. The roots and knots of the tree are also suitable for cabinet making. The bark of this plant has various uses. It can be used in dyeing to produce colors such as red, black (with coppers), yellow (with a little copper), cinnamon (from shoots cut in spring), or tawny (if dried and powdered). The leaves of the plant can be used to tan leather or spread across a floor to catch fleas on their glutinous surface. Medicinally, a decoction of the bark is used to bathe swellings and inflammation, especially in the throat. It has also been known to cure ague (burning fever). Boiling the inner bark in vinegar produces a useful external wash for lice and skin problems such as scabies and scabs. This liquid can also be used as a teeth cleaner. The fresh bark can induce vomiting, and the powdered bark and leaves have been used as an internal astringent and tonic. The bark is also used as an internal and external haemostatic against haemorrhage. Peasants in the Alps have reported being frequently cured of rheumatism by being covered with bags full of the heated leaves. Propagation of this plant can be done through seed in spring or by cuttings.
- High altitudes of Central and South America - Broad and spreading root system just below the soil - Can grow on most sites, including chalk soils and dry sites - Grows along watercourses and in wet swampy lands - Can flourish in areas frequently inundated by salt or brackish water
A tree (15 - 40 m), native to the high altitudes of Central and South America, which can stand temperatures that dip briefly below 0°C. It has a broad and spreading root system just below the soil. The usual rainfall is 1000 - 3000 mm or more. It has been successfully established in the South Island of New Zealand. Propagation by seed.
- The tree coppices and the timber is used for bridge construction and pilings, furniture, coffins, crates, plywood and pulp. Alnu cordaa (Italian alder) A large (to 27 m), conical shaped tree, which grows rapidly on most sites, including chalk soils and dry sites. It can grow to 15 m in 20 years. Alnu gluinoa (common alder or black alder) Occurring naturally, throughout Europe and North Africa, this tall (to 27 m and 5 m wide) deciduous tree grows along watercourses (including rocky banks) and in wet swampy lands, and will even flourish in areas that are frequently inundated by salt or brackish water. The leaves are eaten by horses, goats, cows and sheep, but pigs are said to refuse it.
The wood is used for waterside structures (the wood grows harder in water and becomes remarkably strong when permanently submerged and so is useful also for pumps and sluices). It has also been used for clogs, turnery, chair making, carts, spinning wheels, bowls, spoons, wooden heels, herring barrel staves and carving, and for making charcoal for use in gunpowder. The roots and knots make good material for cabinet making.
The bark is used in dyeing (red, black with coppers, yellow with a little copper, cinnamon from shoots cut in spring or tawny if dried and powdered, green from catkins, pinkish - fawn from the fresh wood) while the leaves can be used to tan leather or if spread across a floor will catch fleas on their glutinous surface.
Medicinally, a decoction of the bark is used to bathe swellings and inflammation, especially of the throat and has been known to cure ague (burning fever). Boiling the inner bark in vinegar produces a useful external wash for lice and for skin problems such as scabies and scabs. This liquid can also be used as a teeth cleaner. The fresh bark will induce vomiting, the powdered bark and the leaves have been used as an internal astringent and tonic and the bark also as an internal and external haemostatic against haemorrhage. Peasants of the Alps are reported to be frequently cured of rheumatism by being covered with bags full of the heated leaves.
Propagation is by seed in spring or by cuttings.