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canopy layer
italian alder
alnus cordata
fixes nitrogen through frankia root nodules and shrugs off wind. the classic nurse tree: plant it first, let it feed the system, coppice it later.
functions
nitrogen fixerpioneerwindbreakbiomass
light
full sun
moisture
moist
soil
poor soils welcome — it builds them
season
open the calendar →j
f
m
a
m
j
j
a
s
o
n
d
grower's notes
memberspropagation, guild role, and deeper ecology for italian alder — the members' view.
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relationships — grows well with
see italian alder on the relationship map →the takeaway
start a guild around italian alder
plant these together and the relationships on this page start working for you — feeders, protectors, and cover, layer by layer.
- canopy
- italian alder — the anchor
- canopy
- apple
- shrub
- sea buckthorn
- herbaceous
- comfrey (bocking 14)
works inside: swale on contour · nurse tree establishment · coppice cycle · windbreak ladder · rain garden