Alder. History. Legends, Legends About Plants. Trees. Description. Photo

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

It seems that the real spring is still far away, there is snow in the fields, and the alder has already blossomed. Its flowers are inconspicuous, but the whole tree is entirely pleasing to the eye - spring is approaching.

Only after flowering alder leaves bloom. Having stood green until late autumn, the alder does not turn yellow, the leaves do not fall until frost hits.

© Yasunori Koide

In gray alder, the leaves are grayish on the inside, sharp at the end, the trunk is also light gray, it grows in damp forests and does not occur south of Moscow. Black alder with shiny, green sticky leaves is a common tree in the European part of our country and Siberia. Both species are most often found in damp lowlands, along the banks of rivers and lakes. "Alnus" - the generic name for alder - comes from the Celtic words Al (pri) and Lan (shore). Black alder is a loner; you will not see trees of other species near it. Alder grows very quickly, gray alder reaches 12 -16 meters, and black alder can grow up to 20 meters in height. But this tree does not differ in durability: it lives on average 100 years, the maximum age is 150 years. Alder has a very wide root system, so it can be used to anchor rivers and ravines.

© Sten Porse

Alder wood is orange-red in color, but turns light brown after it dries. It is soft, brittle, light, therefore it is used in plywood and furniture production, in carpentry, as it is easily processed. But in damp earth or under water it becomes strong, it lasts for a long time, therefore it is good for underwater buildings and well log cabins.

In Sweden, there was a belief that all noble families were descended from trees. So, a clan named Almen considered alder to be their ancestor. Therefore, all alder trees for people of this genus were close relatives and even doubles. The folklore of many nations speaks of twin trees: each person has a twin tree. If a person chops down his double, the tree will begin to bleed and speak humanly. But the felled one will have miraculous powers. A table made of such wood, without any self-assembled tablecloth, will always be full of food. If you make skis from it, they will instantly transfer the owner to where he needs.

© Sten

In many European folklore legends are known that a tree grows on the grave of an innocent murdered man, and a pipe made from it will tell about the murderer. And Armenian fairy tales tell about the times when trees walked, talked, ate and drank.

Remember these legends if you have to cut down a tree, especially a nondescript alder, the first harbinger of spring. What if she begs for mercy in a human voice?

© Sten Porse