23/08/2026
This is a lovely Italian Alder tree near me that I visited the other day to collect some of its little cones.
The Italian Alder has firmer, glossier, less ridged leaves than the English species. Elders often have multiple trunks like this one. Common Alder grows by water and thrives in wet ground, helping to keep river banks strong and intact. Italian Alder is often found in more urban areas, like this one.
Our Common Alder is steeped in Celtic folklore, too many tales to mention! It’s entwined into the Welsh stories of Bran and Branwen, with Branwen’s child ‘Gwern’ being the Welsh name for Alder.
One of my favourite folk traditions is that it’s a tree of divination. You stand at an Alder and ask a question and see which way the top of the tree blows, and listen for your answer in the rustle of the leaves.
It’s a tree with medicinal properties as well as many magical associations. In the Ogham divination, Alder is considered a tree of strength and confidence. It speaks of moving forward after a period of stuckness; of strong, stable foundations in a person, situation or project, even when the way ahead is uncertain or unsteady, it clears the way and holds things together. It was traditionally used to make warriors’ shields, so has a protective quality, helps with boundary setting on all levels - physical/emotional etc. As it was also used to make bridges as a water loving wood, so it can represent safe passage onto a new phase of life, overcoming obstacles, uncertainty and moving forward on life’s journey.
