Alnus incana 50+ PCS fresh seeds, Alnus tree seeds, European gray alder, White alder seeds, Hoary Alder, Grey alder tree

🌱 Alnus incana — European gray alder, White alder, Hoary Alder, Grey alder tree

Alnus incana is a deciduous tree or shrub available as 50+ PCS fresh seeds. This species belongs to the Betulaceae family and is known for its fast growth rate, reaching up to 20 meters in height. The trunk is often irregular with longitudinal depressions and humps, and the root system is superficial, located mainly in the upper soil layer.

🌿 Botanical Description

The tree has a narrow-ovate crown and a trunk up to 50 cm in diameter. The bark is light gray, smooth, and does not form an outer crusty layer. Shoots are initially greenish, later turning brown or blackish-gray, and are covered with gray fluff or felt and light lentils. The buds are stalked, ovate or ovate-spherical, slightly blunted at the top, and fluffy. The leaves are arranged in three rows, alternate, oval, oval-lanceolate or ovate-rounded, 4-10 cm long, 3.5-7 cm wide, sharp or pointed, with a rounded or slightly heart-shaped base, acutely biconvex, young densely fluffy, and almost naked from above. The fruits are obovate nuts with narrow, membranous wings, 10 mm long and 7-8 mm wide, ripening in cones, twice as light as in sticky alder.

🌾 Growing & Agrotechnics

• Sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in the fall or early spring. Stratification is recommended for 30-60 days at 1-5°C.
• Germination temperature: 10-20°C, germination time: 1-3 months.
• Soil type: well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, pH 6.0-7.0.
• Watering and fertilization: keep the soil consistently moist, fertilize in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8, frost tolerance: moderate.

🗺️ Natural Growing Areas

Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, Alnus incana grows in a wide range of climates, from temperate to subarctic, and can be found in various habitats, including forests, wetlands, and mountainous regions, at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1,500 meters.

✨ Interesting Facts

Alnus incana has been used for various purposes, including timber, fuelwood, and medicinal applications. The tree's root system is capable of fixing nitrogen from the air, making it an important species for reforestation efforts. In some cultures, the tree is considered sacred or has spiritual significance.