VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Alnus rhombifolia | White Alder 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
The extent of white alder stands is limited.  Compared to other
California hardwoods, white alder is a minor contributor of wood
products.  However, white alder trees have straight boles and can
therefore be harvested as efficiently and safely as conifer trees.  They
are cut mostly for saw logs because they have a high saw log volume in
relation to total tree volume [5].  This alder is commonly used for
firewood.


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
The leaves and young twigs of white alder are lightly browsed by
domestic livestock [32].  Game animals eat white alder twigs, leaves,
and buds to a small degree.  Maximum consumption is probably in the
fall, winter, and early spring [32,37].  Alder (Alnus spp.) bark is used
by beavers for food and also for building dams and lodges.  Alder seeds
are eaten by redpolls, siskins, and goldfinches [37].

As a member of riparian woodland communities, white alder contributes to
structural diversity which is an important habitat requirement of many
avian species.  Riparian woodlands support a higher diversity and
density of breeding birds in California than any other habitat [14,17].


PALATABILITY : 
The degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife for white alder in
California is as follows [32]:

        Cattle     poor to useless
        Sheep      fair to poor
        Horses     useless
        Deer       fair to useless


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
When growing with other riparian trees, white alder contributes to
structural diversity, providing cover and structure for numerous
perching birds [17].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Within recent years, white alder's use in revegetating disturbed
riparian areas has increased.  It has been planted with other native
plants to approximate the original stream vegetation in restoration
projects [42] and to stabilize flood control channels [16] and levees
[41].  White alder requires a constant water suppply.  Irrigation may
therefore be needed to aid in the establishment of transplants.  Since
vandalism has become a serious problem in urban California, sprinkler
heads and irrigation equipment should not be placed in easily accessible
areas [16].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
White alder can be used as a shade tree in residential landscaping if
watered sufficiently [32].  Native Americans used this alder to make a
red dye for their baskets and a tea to induce perspiration during their
sweat lodge ceremonies [9].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Due to urbanization, riparian woodlands in California are being cleared
at an alarming rate.  This has caused the loss of thousands of acres of
white alder stands.  The cutting of these riparian woodlands has caused
the loss of wildlife habitat, stream channelization, and floodplain
filling [40].  From a wildlife standpoint, it is important to protect
remaining riparian forests, as more species of birds breed in riparian
forests in California than any other habitat [33].

Related categories for Species: Alnus rhombifolia | White Alder