A Tale of Three Trees

Young tree in front of young hedge — *The healthy Alnus cordata (Italian Alder) doing very well indeed*

Three Italian Alder, three very different outcomes

Saturday 15 September 2018

Three years ago I planted 3 Alnus cordata (Italian Alder) along the top of the forest garden, all at the same time.

Italian Alders are great: they’re nitrogen fixing, very fast growing and you can raise the canopy to let in light for plants below.

One of the trees had root damage from voles living under the mulch, one had sawfly damage and has gone off on a tangent. The third (pictured above) has grown straight and proud.

Tree trunk of young tree with rabbit guard lying on grass — *The remains of the vole-ridden Italian Alder*

I bought a replacement whip from Ty Rhos Trees, be interesting to see how quickly it can catch up.

Newly planted tree with cardboard mulch mat — *The replacement Italian Alder, from Ty Rhos Trees*