By Shiney
Mayo,
Ireland 
i have italian alders planted for the past 4 years and they have got very tall nor have they girted up very well. the soil is quied do dobey. is there anything i should be feeding them.
2 Jul, 2010
Answers
Alders have a symbiotic relationship with a bacterium on their roots (a bit like other trees have a similar relationship with a fungus) that help them grow well. They don't normally need feeding much as a result. This species is particularly fast growing. Leave all the lower branches on for as long as possible to help them girth up.
2 Jul, 2010
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Hi Shiney and welcome to GoY I would expect an Italian Alder to get tall and not have a large girth. Sorry can you explain what you mean by 'the soil is quied do dobey.'?
2 Jul, 2010