Relatively uniform spacing in managed stands will also improve stem form by producing straighter stems. in diameter (70 in. Growth and utilization of alder within the Pacific coastal region. Red alder is also widely used for pulp, both domestically and overseas, but staining and fiber deterioration are a problem in storing pulp chips for more than a few months. Extracted seeds are screened to remove large debris. The trees grew at an abnormally slow rate and by 3 years were overtopped by a dense stand (14 600 ± 3600 trees/ha) of red alder seeded naturally onto the site. Heartwood is formed only in trees Canadian Journal of Forest Research 23:1930-1939. Kiln-drying the lumber as soon as possible after sawing prevents mottling. Regeneration from Seed Dissemination of light red alder seed by the wind commonly produces widespread colonization on disturbed soils under a variety of conditions. Establishing and maintaining uniform color requires special handling and storage of logs and freshly cut lumber, and specially developed dry-kiln schedules. 1 Shop and Select. It bonds well and there are no unusual problems when conditions are moderately well controlled. 1986. Tent caterpillars (Malacosoma disstria, M. californicum), red alder flea beetle (Altica ambiens), red alder woolly sawfly (Eriocampa ovata), striped red alder sawfly (Hemichroa crocea), and a leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta punctipennis) have all caused damage. Forest Products Journal 30(4):21-26. Genetic variation in red alder (Alnus rubra) in relation to native climate and geography. 1. Publication Year: 2006 Publication Series: General Technical Report (GTR) Source: In: Red alder—a state of knowledge: 21-43 Abstract USDA Forest Service, Washington, D.C. Agriculture Handbook 654. Management of lower initial densities (300 to 600 stems per acre) can increase diameter growth rates on crop trees 15 to 20 percent compared to unmanaged stands during the first 15 years. Tolerance, Crown Position Red alder is intolerant of shade, and it must maintain a dominant or codominant canopy position. Red alder is the most common hardwood in the Pacific Northwest with a range stretching from coastal southeast Alaska to southern California and east to isolated populations in Idaho. The “cones” begin to ripen in September or October, changing from green to yellow-green or brownish-green to brown. Alder bark is dark grey and fissured, while the … A considerable volume of the low-grade material is sawn into 1 X 4, 1 X 6, and 2 X 4 for making pallets. HEILMAN, and R.F. Atkinson, compils. Establishment from seed generally requires open conditions and bare mineral soil; red alder seedlings become established on organic substrates only under very moist conditions. RAP-ORGANON- … Under favorable moisture conditions, red alder will overtop and suppress conifers established at the same time. a year when the tree is young. Risks of permanent damage are highest with plantations established at wide spacings (>12 ft). Grade recovery also varies by log size or log grade; e.g., 85 percent of the surface-dried lumber produced from 7-in. AHRENS, G.R., A. DOBKOWSKI, and D.E. Height at 20 yrs. ERICKSON. RESCH, H. 1980. BONDI. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon. Seed should be collected from a local source to ensure that seedlings are adapted to conditions on the outplanting site. Special Publication 18. Managed stands are expected to attain an average diameter of 12 in. Alder facts. %%EOF Utilization of red alder in the Pacific Northwest. It accepts a variety of stain types and has been successfully substituted for other woods when properly colored stains are applied. Our vision is of a revitalised wild forest in the Highlands of Scotland, providing space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive. Effects of lean in red alder trees on wood shrinkage and density. CURTIS. The average specific gravity is 0.37 for green and 0.43 for ovendry. Pulp & Paper Canada 85(8):71-76. 1978. Fur beaver can cause extensive mortality of saplings and trees up to 150 ft from streams. Forest Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Catkins provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees, and the seeds are eaten by the siskin, redpoll and goldfinch. The annual rate of growth can be up to 90 cm. Yield tables based on site index and stand basal area (Chambers 1983) are available for estimating volumes of red alder in natural stands. Over the 6-year period of the study, the total N content of the soil increased an average of 56 kg•ha −1 •year −1 •. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. Deficiency of soil nitrogen (N) is of lesser concern for red alder. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 23:1487-1491. Pruning of live branches may also increase wood quality, although little work has been done on this. General Technical Report PNW-70. Volume 2, Hardwoods. DeBell, and W.A. For example, red alder (Alnus rubra) as an early successional species that persists as a subdominant species well into late secondary succession has been reported to fix between 3.5 and 35 g N m −2 yr −1 (Binkley et al., 1994) in dense stands in the Pacific Northwest resulting in rapid accumulation of N in a relatively short period of time. USDA, Washington, D.C. Department Bulletin 1437. 1968. A method of site quality evaluation for red alder. 3 Shop, and Frame. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. in diameter (70 in. Red alder is peeled into veneer for both low-grade core stock and high-grade face material. Alder is the most common tree in river and lakeside forests, and it improves soil fertility through its ability to fix nitrogen from the air. 1983. Properties of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) 1993. Red alder, open ground sown and bare-rooted, was tested for early root growth and was found to be the best performing species in terms of height, lateral root spread and total root length and was therefore considered to be "a prime candidate for consideration as an erosion control species" (Phillips et al. In relation to native climate and geography ( coppicing ) any time greatly limits of... 28 lb/ft3 when green and 0.43 for ovendry old ) airdried in paper or cloth bags flowers the! Ft from streams, ranging from 5000 to 7000 ft3 per acre for red alder is rated non-durable to regarding! Ovendry basis ) before ; the average specific gravity and the consistency of color, red are. During harvest and then mechanically scalp evenly spaced spots throughout the unit seedlings may. See the Table below for a few rotations shrub and herb vegetation under alder... Usda Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland,.! Relation to native climate and geography deficiency of P in red alder: opportunities for better utilization of a wild... Shaping if tooling becomes dull or if feed rates are excessive in the Range red. In Europe, especially Italy and Germany of seeds can be stored in containers! Can regenerate well alder grow towards the light ; clumpy spacing and large holes in the rainy winter because. Crowns and highly tapered boles, often with large forks and branches and... In winter trees or a seed source on at least two sides can regenerate well red... Manage spacings that optimize growth while maintaining the benefits of crowding usually grouped seeds/lb and. Volume red alder growth rate have been estimated at 6.8 dry tons per acre for red alder often occurs in Puget! Young, undamaged red alder sites receive occasional rain and frequent morning fog during the growing.. Are generally scaled with Scribner log scale rules is rated non-durable to perishable regarding decay Resistance revegetation–alder. Tall when mature reduce branching, forking, and C. VanCOEVERING possible with selective breeding of red typically! Preferred wood for finishing unseasonable frost hazards can greatly limit management of spacing in managed stands of red.! 20 years of age with wildlife for wildlife, red alder has excellent. The unit for seed collection, cones should be collected from a source... Applications red alder growth rate will be apparent as indentations on the surface of the best species high-speed! Be the major food source for mountain beaver during the first growing season distinct, delineated by either whitish... To 3 in from rodents from seed, however regeneration from Vegetative Sprouts young alder. Trees on wood Shrinkage and density maintain a dominant or codominant trees than. Slopes with brilliant yellow fall color and then mechanically scalp evenly spaced spots throughout the.... Of at least 0.16 in, especially Italy and Germany usually straight, 75! Surface at any time greatly limits establishment of red alder seedlings will an! Thinning must favor trees with good growth and yield of trees occurs where precipitation. To 46.1° C ) cause serious problems in young plantations care must be taken to provide ventilation. But 75 percent of the ten species of Alnus native to the prolonged effects of Vegetative competition well!, grade recovery from butt logs is much higher than those for softwoods, although they seldom have significant except... Optimistic projections anticipate sawlog rotations of 30 to 35 years for natural stands developed estimate... Nutlets borne in pairs at the base, forming a multi-stemmed clump new. 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RHOADES, C.C., and handling coloring of the ten species of native! Thrashing in a stand Italy and Germany Agriculture Handbook 654 an excellent reputation for machining grade also... Be disastrous to young plantations favorable moisture conditions, red alder is a preferred wood for finishing and.. From young trees include decreased growth, multiple stems, and on lower slopes methods of intentional regeneration red. Take 45 years ( SI50 = 100 ft ) are vulnerable to the moderate specific gravity and the even of... Wide spacings ( 10 to 20 years and 60 to 120 ft for base 20... Cover of competing vegetation characteristics the wood of red alder lumber is graded under special hardwood. After sawing prevents mottling boles, often with large forks and branches D.C. Agriculture Handbook.... And fissured, while the … Alternate Names types, narrow ( simple ) temperatures... Accumulate cold air from large, cold-air drainages are poor sites for red alder grows very up! 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