Common Name: Japanese Alder

General Information

Japanese alder is a shrub or tree with a dense crown; it usually grows 3 - 10 metres tall, exceptionally to 20 metres[]. The bole is usually short, especially in trees grown in the open where the lower branches are generally retained. Deciduous in most of its range, the tree has adopted an evergreen habit where it is grown in the Philippines[].
The tree is a popular fuel, harvested from the wild for local use. It also has medicinal properties and is a source of wood and dyes. It is grown in reforestation projects, to provide shade in plantations and to stabilize and recondition the soil. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern Far Eastern Russia, China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Wet soils along streams and in swamps and also on exposed soils. In Japan, it occurs in marsh or swamp forest with a high water table and soil conditions tending to be anaerobic with high clay and organic matter contents[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Although a plant mainly of temperate regions, it does extend south to Taiwan where it enjoys a subtropical climate and is also cultivated in the Philippines, usually at higher elevations.
Grows best in a sunny position, but is shade tolerant[]. Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation, but it succeeds in ordinary garden soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[]. It does not require fertile soil, but prefers permeable soils and should not be planted in compact soils[]. Thrives in drier soils than many members of this genus[]. Tolerates very infertile sites[]. Tolerant of inundation of the soil, under such conditions the tree retains its leaves and can almost maintain its growth rate by forming adventitious roots[].
A fast-growing tree - on fertile sites, poles and firewood can be harvested after 5 years, small-diameter timber can be harvested in less than 10 years[].
The tree responds well to coppicing[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The stembark and leaves are used in the treatment of cancer, gastric disorders, hepatitis and fatty liver[].


Various species of alder, including this species, seem to contain antitumour compounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A pioneer species, succeeding in full sun and also fixing atmospheric nitrogen, the tree can be grown in reforestation projects[, ]. It has been planted in reforestation projects on areas of land used in mining and alo on mine waste tips[, ].
The tree is fast-growing and has an extensive lateral root system. It is planted to stabilize the soil on slopes and areas where there have been landslides[, ].
The tree is grown to provide shade in coffee plantations and as a nurse tree in Pinus kesiya plantations in the Philippines[, ]. It is also grown there to act as living posts, supporting wires that are used for growing chayote (Sechium edule)[].
The tree has been found to be suitable for use as bed logs for growing shiitake mushroom (Cortinellus shiitake)[].

Other Uses

A dye is obtained from the bark[, ]. No more details are given.

The pale brown wood is medium to fine textured, close grained, moderately soft, light in weight. It seasons without excessive warping or splitting, but shrinkage figures are high. It is easy to saw and finish by hand or machine, with only slight blunting effects on tools. Planing and boring give good results while mortising and turning results are only fair with some picking up of grain. It is used for turnery[, ]. The wood is suitable for making furniture, tools, packaging[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make a good quality charcoal[, , ]. Although the energy value of the wood is relatively low, it dries rapidly and burns easily and so is a popular fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability of 3 - 6 months and is best sown in a nursery bed as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[].
If you have sufficient quantity of seed, it can be sown thinly in an outdoor seed bed[]. The seedlings can either be planted out into their permanent positions 6 - 12 months later, or they can be allowed to grow on in the seed bed for a further season before planting out.
Cuttings of mature wood, outdoors in sandy soil.

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