Common Name: Manchurian Alder

General Information

Alnus hirsuta is a deciduous shrub or tree with a dense crown; it can grow from 4 - 30 metres or more tall. The bole can be up to 60cm in diameter[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It can be used as a pioneer species for re-establishing native woodland.
This species has a wide distribution. There are no reported major threats to survival of this species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern Siberia to Russian Far East, northern China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Mountains and hills all over Japan[]. Temperate forests, along streambanks; at elevations from 700 - 1,500 metres[]. Banks of rivulets and small rivers, rarely large rivers, grassy bogs, near springs, and wet places at the foot of elevations[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	18.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[]. Tolerates very infertile sites[].
A fast growing species that pioneers wetlands[].
A polymorphic species[], it is closely related to A. Incana[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is a pioneer species in wetter soils where it can make conditions that are suitable for slower growing and longer-lived species to be able to establish[].

Other Uses

A dye is obtained from the bark[, ]. No more details are given.

Wood - close grained. The wood is hard and dense, and is used for making agricultural tools and furniture[]. The wood is excellent for working. Used in turnery[, ]. Mature trees yield planks to 30 or even 40cm broad[].
The wood is used for making charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[]. Spring sown seed should also germinate successfully so long as it is not covered[, ]. The seed should germinate in the spring as the weather warms up. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If growth is sufficient, it is possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in pots outdoors and plant them out in the spring.
If you have sufficient quantity of seed, it can be sown thinly in an outdoor seed bed in the spring[]. The seedlings can either be planted out into their permanent positions in the autumn/winter, or they can be allowed to grow on in the seed bed for a further season before planting them.
Cuttings of mature wood, taken as soon as the leaves fall in autumn, outdoors in sandy soil.