tree

Italian alder

Alnus cordata

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Italian alder (Alnus cordata) — a tree, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlighthigh
Watermoderate to high

↑ Gives back

Biomasshigh
Shademoderate

Through the year

Emergence

Bud break and leaf emergence typically occur after the last spring frost and when air temperatures consistently rise above 5 °C.

Flowering

Flowering occurs in late winter to early spring, typically in February, as days begin to lengthen.

Fruiting

Fruits (small cones) develop over the summer, maturing approximately 6 months after flowering.

Senescence

Leaves begin to senesce and drop with the first autumn frosts and as day length shortens.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained to moist
Nitrogen fixingYes
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatesnitrogen, calcium
Soil textureloam, clay, sand
Organic matterHigh
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, cuttings
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~2 yr
Stratificationcold_moist
Self-seedingModerate

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators, beneficial insects