The Month of Alder begins
Identify the Alder tree
Among the maples, oaks, apple trees and birches I have been able to identify the tree that inpired the name of the farm. This is strictly a case of not seeing the forest for the trees. The Alder tree is abundant on the property since the original forests burned and replenished over the centuries. Or so I understand now that I have come to know that an Alder is a kind of birch tree. There is a grove of hardwood trees and many alders near the house: they are evident among the birches while branches are still bare.
When the Alderburn Farm was first populated the local bridges were made of Alder which stands harder with the application of water which rushes from the mountains to the Bonnechere River and its tributaries. Hardiness is one of the characteristics of the alder: settlers who used all of their resources to make homes and foster life from the raw landscape may have taken inspiration from the tough, reslient tree.
REFERENCE:
The Canadian Encyclopedia: Alder
(Alder TREE or shrub of genus Alnus of BIRCH family.)
The Spiritual Element of Trees: Alder
(In folklore the Alder is known as the “King of the Water”)
