• Ideal for difficult positions such as damp sites
• Great screening tree
• Conical shape
• Fast growing
• Size after 10 years : 9m x 5m
 
Description
Alnus cordata is a vigorous medium-sized upright deciduous ornamental tree, ideal for difficult sites. Italian Alder is ideal for screening and hedges. It can also be seen in parks and large gardens as an attractive conical specimen tree. With its ability to grow in poorer soils it makes it an excellent choice for reclamation projects and can be used to prevent erosion on river banks due to its fibrous root system.
 
Italian Alder is attractive to wildlife, with the catkins providing early pollen for insects. The overwintering cones provides a source of food for birds.
 
Like other alders, it has the ability to fix nitrogen. Alders increase soil fertility by means of the bacteria Frankia alni. 

Planting Position 
The Italian Alder is suitable for most locations and soil types. It is happy to be planted in moist ground.  It loves full sun and is ideal for screening and hedging. 

Attributes 
Leaves are dark glossy, green and heart-shaped, with a fine serrated margin. The slender cylindrical male catkins are pendulous and red in colour; the female catkins are ovoid and mature in autumn when they turn brown and look similar to a conifer cone. The small winged seeds disperse through the winter, leaving the cones on the tree for up to a year after. 
 
Size 
Height and spread after 10 years : 9m x 5m
 
Container options are available here