Comments on: Archetypal Transformer of Fluids: A Summary of Alder Posts & Uses

By: Kiva Rose

Kiva Rose — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:32:38 +0000

Twist, a catkin is really just a type of unisexual inflorescence , so it doesn’t necessarily follow that since one flower or fruit is tasty, then so is another (you’d be better off looking at the botanical family for hints). However, Alder catkins can indeed be eaten as a food… whether they are tasty or not seems to depend a great deal on one’s individual palate. But try this, I think you’ll find it helpful http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/food/saldercatkins/index.html

By: Twist

Twist — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:10:37 +0000

I was looking up Alder today, as I saw a few, and realised, I know a good bit about plants, but not so much trees, and the Alder is one that has started to intrigue me. It dawned on me today that it has catkins – like a Hazel, but, whilst we eat the hazel nuts, we don’t seem to partake of the Alder Cones. Is there any edible value to them? Could they be pickled when green, like walnuts? (or am I just “off the wall”?)

By: :::::::::::: wife mom maniac ::::::::::::

:::::::::::: wife mom maniac :::::::::::: — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:37:19 +0000

Another thank you, you have such an incredibly useful set of knowledge and I’m ever grateful at the generosity with which you share it! We have a huge alder in my own back yard and they are abundant throughout my area. We might actually cut our big one down at some point because they are known to fall over once they get so many years old and this one is old and too close to our house, and also where I want to expand our garden, and we heat our home with firewood so many reasons. I wonder if I shopuld try to find a local herbalist who would appreciate a ~huge~ bunch of alder twigs and leaves etc for their use.

By: Kiva Rose

Kiva Rose — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:35:22 +0000

You’re welcome!

The Alders here actually tend to grow on the other side of the river from Willows. Not always, mind you, but generally the Alders prefer cooler spots while the Willow and Cottonwoods like the warmer areas. The Alders tend to grow in colonies here, often in association with Wild Rose, Monkeyflower, Box Elder Maples and sometimes Grape Vines or Oregon Grape Root as well. It also grows with the Reeds and other in-water plants, although, they too, often prefer the sunnier side of the river. Being in a narrow canyon split east to west creates some interesting plant relationship dynamics dependent on the light flow.

That’s funny about the goats… I’ve always been really glad that the cows that sometimes get loose down the canyon really don’t like the Alders, they’d rather shred the willows.

I DO tend to use Alder with Cottonwood though, very often in liniments and salves and sometimes in digestive tonics. I have to say that I don’t really use Willow that much, and tend to use Cottonwood where most people would use Willow (unless it’s an issue specifically connected to the bladder, which is where Willow rules).

By: shawna

shawna — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:34:02 +0000

Oh thankyouthankyou for putting this all together. I can’t WAIT to get a headache,lol.
Have you noticed a deep affinity between your alder trees and willow trees? All of mine grow in sisterly fashion next to each other, and I wonder about that as I think important insight can be gained by what grows by each other, kind of how you can gain insight from a friends/companions one has…….
You know its interesting about the bears and bark thing- I always watch my goats in the woods to see what plants and trees really get them really excited. Usually I try to hold off on woods walking for extended time with them in early spring before much is green because they will eat bark like crazy……but even in high summer when there is plenty to eat they always want to eat the bark of the alder. I always have to keep walking past it and spend my time with it without them, they just cannot resist it. The only thing that saves the trees really is the fact that many of them grow on the edge of the pond and they *hate* getting their feet wet, lol

~Shawna