Red Alder - How to Identify Them! || Nerdy About Nature Tree Guide

[@seattleareatom]

Thanks!

[@scooterscat3309]

I live on the oregon coast. I have alot of alder on my property..its great for smoking meat not just salmon.i also noticed when they die mushrooms grow on them..but thats true for alot of trees.

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Oh yeah, lots of Alder around the Oregon coast! Especially because when westerners first arrived to that area to log it, the practices used were pretty harsh and they weren't required to replant anything after clearcutting, so Alder was able to pioneer that landscape naturally and take over! Many conifers are starting to come back naturally now, but it'll still be a good 1400 years or so before we see those original forests return in that same vigor. Stoked you're finding use for that Alder though, great trees!

[@MrScreaney]

Hey Ross, thank you so much for these videos and greetings from the PNW. Can you clarify for me, does the male catkin release pollen to the female catkin on another red alder tree and then fertilize it, creating the woody nut which is then dispersed by wind or animal? I've never really understood the reproductive cycle of deciduous trees but am very curious. Also, I've heard the male catkins of red alder are edible, any truth to this? :) Thank you for your time.

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Hey Shaun - yep, thats right! Similarly to male & female pollen cones on conifer trees, the deciduous catkins release pollen that fertilizes the female catkins through the wind, although I believe insects play a role as well (bees, ants, etc). I've got a bit episode on tree reproduction slated to create, just trying to find the time and resources to do so!

[@MrScreaney]

@@NerdyAboutNature Thank you very much Ross! I am looking forward to it.

[@raphlvlogs271]

alders are by far the most wide spread broadleaf trees in the world.

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Ooo debatable. According to some articles I've read, Maple trees actually are as far as deciduous trees go, but globally, Pine trees take the lead! Alders are still beauties though!

[@causasui8185]

By what mechanism do the trees "take nitrogen from the atmosphere and send it down to the root nodules"? This is backwards. The root nodules "fix" (make water soluble) the atmospheric nitrogen from the air in the soil, which is then taken-up by the roots and transported up the tree. Still I learned a lot from your video and appreciate your work.

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Thanks for the note - I've made an amendment video with more details on this one here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6upi5J-esuim5o

[@ClareAndAlec]

Ross, can you get a message to Mike the Bear from me? Thanks

[@NerdyAboutNature]

Sure thing, I can try but I can't guarantee the translation!