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In spite of its name, there are no thorns to be found. Branches originate
almost opposite and this is a chararacteristic pattern throughout the tree in
branches, leaves and veins.
Winter buds have no scales, only a velvety down
covering.
The bark is grey-black, quite smooth with very characteristic vertical white dots and
stripes. Underneath is a crimson layer above the
yellowish-brown inner bark.
Young branches and twigs are greenish at
first, then turning grey brown and are red-brown to dark violet at
the tips. The older bark turns into a dark brownish roughened bark and has an
orange inner surface.
The stalked un-toothed leaves are shiny green above, 3-7 cm long, oval shaped with a pointed end.
The side-veins, which curve upwards and inwards to form an
arched loop with the vein above near the edge. They can be brownish and velvety
underneath when still young. In the autumn they turn a warm yellow with shades
of red.
Very small, bisexual green-white flowers appear in May
in small clusters, pairs or solitary at the tips
of the branches. They are bell-shaped with a five petaled star-like opening.
The fleshy fruits are the size of a pea and turn
from green to cherry-red to a black-brown-purple-bluish colour in
September/October. They have 2 or 3
seeds.
Cultivation:
Alder Buckthorn can be
propagated by taking heeled cuttings or layering, but the best stock is likely
to be obtained from seed. The black berry-like fruits are ripe in September
and should be sown straight away.
Uses:
The wood has been used in the past for making high
quality charcoal and it was often specially cultivated as a
coppice for this purpose. Its excellent slow and reliably burning
qualities were put to use in making fuses and gunpowder. It has
also been used as artists charcoal and as medicinal
charcoal.
Wood: Arrows, spikes, Butcher's spikes and skewers.
Medicinally: The bark has laxative, tonic, cholagogue and
anti-parasitic properties. Care has to be taken in preparing it,
since it must be stored for at least a year before using it
internally, since the fresh bark causes abdominal pains and
violent vomiting. The bark was taken for constipation; as a
cleansing remedy in chronic conditions; as a mouthwash in gum
disease, mouth infections and sore throats; and externally to
threat lice infestations.
The tree was also used to produce dyes: Yellow from the leaves and
bark (black with salt of iron), green from unripe berries and blue
and grey shade from the ripe berries.
Traditional knowledge:
The-Tree also offers a page where
you can read the entry for Alder
Buckthorn from "A Modern Herbal" (Mrs. M. Grieve, ed. Mrs.
C.F.Leyel) published in 1931. Obviously things have moved on
since then, yet this book is still often unsurpassed in its scope
and depth of traditional knowledge. The page pops up in a new
window. Close it to return to the Tree Gallery.
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