Trees of the legume family or nitrogen fixers.
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SecretGarden Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 09 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Ireland (South-East)
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:45 pm Post subject: Trees of the legume family or nitrogen fixers. |
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I'm sure the answer to my question is somewhere in some of the fourms, I just can't find it.
I'm looking for information on or names of trees that will fix nitrogen into the soil such as the legume family and will be happy to grow in Irish conditions.
Our soil is mostly heavy clay and we can be somewhat exposed to wind although I've done a reasonable job of planting over the years to filter it.
I'd be grateful for any information - many thanks |
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Dr. Sunny Thomson Rank attained: Rowan Tree


Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 132 Location: ireland
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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Not a tree but our native Irish gorse fixes nitrogen. No problem with wind either. |
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SecretGarden Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 09 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Ireland (South-East)
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, Dr Sunny Thomson.
I'm really looking for support trees for the canopy layer and the layer below it to sustain food planting in a permaculture system.
Gorse is definitely an option at the shrub layer but I'm having difficulty identifying nitrogen fixing trees for the canopy - it appears as you say they don't exist.
Many thanks
SG |
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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SecretGarden Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 09 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Ireland (South-East)
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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James
Thank you, I'm really delighted with that information.
James Kilkelly, was GPI. wrote: | For nitrogen fixing trees look no further than our native black alder.
Here's a link to a piece I wrote on them........Black Alder ... Alnus glutinosa ... Fearnóg
Quote: | it actually makes nitrogen available to grass and other plants growing nearby, through the amazing nitrogen-fixing bacteria growing in its root nodules. These nodules add fertility to the soil wherever the alder grows, allowing the tree to tolerate poor soils, such as the clays found in many reclaimed lands. |
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Are there other species of tree that will also fix nitrogen like the alder. I know there's hippophae and elaeagnus which are growing well here but they are more tall shrubs than trees. I would hope to have a diverse canopy if possible. Invasiveness of course will also have to be a consideration when choosing
Again many thanks
SG |
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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SecretGarden Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 09 Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Ireland (South-East)
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Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:33 am Post subject: |
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Thanks James
I've since managed to source Black Alder and some other indigenous plants. The spade has been busy . I already have some birch and I've lost the Ceanothus to frost. I'm determined this time to plant as sustainably as possible....
Again Thanks
SG |
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