Are alder trees fast growing?

Are alder trees fast growing?

A robust species, the alder can be grown in a windbreak or a hedge and, because the trees will grow at a rate of 1 metre or more per year when young, they are very quick to establish. This makes them an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands on disused farmland, difficult sites etc.

How much does an alder tree cost?

According to the Hardwood Store in North Carolina—a website that publishes lumber prices in board feet—Alder is $3.95 per board foot for a 4×4 thickness of superior wood and $2.85 for knotty wood.

What are alder trees good for?

Alder trees (Alnus spp.) are often used in re-forestation projects and to stabilize soil in wet areas, but you seldom see them in residential landscapes. Nurseries that cater to home gardeners rarely offer them for sale, but when you can find them, these handsome plants make excellent shade trees and screening shrubs.

How long does a alder tree take to grow?

Expect a Common Alder tree to reach its full size in about 20 years in the right conditions – taking up to 50 years in unideal environments.

Is alder a good landscape tree?

Alder Trees Make a Great Landscaping Choice The many looks of the Alder tree makes it a desirable landscaping choice. If you want a fast growing tree, the Alder won’t disappoint.

Where does alder grow best?

Common alder will grow best in wet or moist soils, acid or alkaline, and have even been observed growing with roots submerged in water, but it is also tolerant of moderate drought, compaction, and urban stress.

Is alder more expensive than maple?

As a hardwood, maple is durable and will stand up well to years of heavy use. It has a dense grain and is usually stained and not painted. It is more difficult to work with than alder and pieces take longer to create, making maple doors both more expensive and valuable.

Can you build with alder?

What is Alder Wood Used For? Most of the higher grade lumber is used for furniture, cabinetry, and turned products. Alder is also used in doors, millwork, decorative woodwork, carvings, and edge-glued panels. Alder dries to an even honey tone and can be finished to resemble more expensive fine-grained species.

How do you plant an alder tree?

How to plant alder trees. Dig a square hole that’s wider, but no deeper than the bare roots or potted rootball of your alder. Plant it at the same depth it was in the pot (or where the soil ‘tide mark’ suggests it was planted previously), and fill around the roots with soil. Firm gently and water well.

Are alder trees invasive?

Alder Trees have a large and expansive root system. You should consider this tree an invasive root system tree.

Do alder trees have deep roots?

The root system of red alder is shallow and spreading where limited by poor drainage; a deep-root system develops on soils with better drainage. The range of red alder extends from southeastern Alaska (lat 60°N) to southern California (lat 34°N), generally within 125 miles of the ocean.

Is alder a cheap wood?

Maple and alder are at two different points in the spectrum of cost, appearance and durability. One is considered an affordable mid-grade wood, while the other is a premium hardwood with a price to match.

What is better alder or cherry?

Cherry Vs Alder Hardness While both are considered hard woods, alder is rated at 590 on the Janka hardness scale, and cherry is rated significantly higher at 950.

Is alder stronger than pine?

On a hardness scale, alder ranks just above pine and poplar. Alder has a light brown color with subtle grain patterns that are straighter than other hardwoods, such as oak or ash.

Which is better maple or alder?

How do you plant alder trees?

If the alder is to be a shelter belt, work out the number of plants at a spacing of 1.5 metres each way, dividing the spacing into the whole area. But plant at more random spacing, more or less, to give a more natural look. Keep the trees back 3 metres or more from the hedge or they will over-shadow it.

How far apart should you plant alder trees?

Common alder is normally planted in rows at spacing of 2 m apart and 1.5 m in the row, equivalent to a stocking of 3,300 plants/ha.

Is alder more expensive than cherry?

Cherry Vs Alder Price Because cherry is a harder wood and because people typically prefer the consistent color of the heartwood which has to be selected out, cherry is considerably more expensive. This is why alder is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s cherry.”