Alnus Incana (Grey Alder) #1

[Orion_metalhead]

I havent measured them, but they are quite small at bud break, giving me the impression theyd reduce very well. Time will tell. I fertilized today with a sprinkling of 4-3-3 on the surface. Ill be feeding once a week bere on out with 1/4 strength miracle grow as well.

 

[_#1_]

Interesting. My Hazel/Smooth Alder, Alnus serrulata look just like that.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Its possible that it is in fact a Hazel alder then. I checked my audobon field guide and I am within the natural range for hazel alder and just on the cusp of grey alder. Hazel alder seems to have rounder leaves than ours though that could be genetic anomolies.

Do you have a thread here or more pictures of your alder? Would love to see the full tree. Do you have images of the buds for comparison?

 

[henrykiser]

Its possible that it is in fact a Hazel alder then. I checked my audobon field guide and I am within the natural range for hazel alder and just on the cusp of grey alder. Hazel alder seems to have rounder leaves than ours though that could be genetic anomolies.

Do you have a thread here or more pictures of your alder? Would love to see the full tree. Do you have images of the buds for comparison?

This has grown so quickly. I’m gonna post a separate thread on an established alder that was dug at my dads house in northern ga. Looking good!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Ill keep an eye out for it!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

This tree is a beast. I already pruned it back once so far but it's just so vigorous. Im going to have to prune it again soon... shoots are going all over.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Before and after:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

No color yet... hoping it shifts soon... lol. Its just too strong, I guess.

2yrs from seed:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Repotted this today. It is about one week earlier than last year, going to add it to the trees getting the shuffle. Put it in a new mica pot. No repot for this tree next year. Going to get two solid years of growth on it before working the roots again.

Before Repot and minor pruning:


Out of the pot:


Roots raked out:



Roots pruned...


Potted, removed a few minor branches where there were three shoots in one place. Tree will be getting some basic wiring this year, I think. I want to pull a few branches down slightly. I think, though, next year I will be removing the top majority of the tree down to the bottom two branches.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

First leaves showing.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Little pruning on this guy. Will get some wire a little later on. I want to bring down the right branch slightly.

Before:


After:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

End of year. Added another 1/4" in thickness.

 

[berzerkules]

I always like seeing people use alder. It's one of my favorite to work with.

Alder grows all over the place up here and they don't mind being dug up so I never considered starting from seed. I had no idea alder seeds would sprout by just soaking them in water, I always learn something here.

Some of those earlier pics of yours reminded me of this little red alder I collected a couple months ago.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Looking good to start the year. Leaves opened on 4/8 last year so should see them budding out soon.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Pruned back hard. Before and after. Need to figure out the central structure. Just growing and cutting..

 

[Bavarian Raven]

It looks happy enough. Part of me thinks you should cut off the centre and right branch (as seen in the last pic you posted ) to give it some movement. But that’s just me. Don’t do anything rash lol

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I definitely have thought about that multiple times. Something is holding me back, though. I cant point my finger at it.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Ever going to let this develop a trunk? Constant whacking back prevents it developing.

 

[leatherback]

Nice work. Compliments of not going the "Lets grow a fat base and make huge cuts" route, but rather taking the high quality approach of frequent smaller cuts.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Ever going to let this develop a trunk? Constant whacking back prevents it developing.

Isn't it about keeping the trees small? I like whacking. Lol

I will eventually let it run a bit, but Im not set on the basic structure yet.

@leatherback thanks for compliment!