Common Name: Seaside Alder

General Information

Alnus maritima is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a narrow, round-topped crown; it can grow up to 10 metres tall. The long, straight bole can be 120 - 150cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern and Central N. America - Oklahoma, Delaware, Maryland and Georgia.

Habitat

Along edges of ponds and small streams, often in standing water; from sea level to 100 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Alnus maritima is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation in the range of 950 - 4,00omm, an average annual temperature in the range of 13. 5 - 18°[].
Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation, but it succeeds in ordinary garden soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[]. Tolerates very infertile sites[]. Trees are tolerant of frost, poor soil, and some salinity and water-logging[]. Prefers a pH in the range of 6. 1 - 8. 1[].
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

Other Uses

This species has the potential to be used as a biomass crop[].

The heartwood is light brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the thick band of sapwood. The wood is light in weight, soft, close-grained[].

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.