Alder tree branches & cones

I found an alder tree yesterday I stuffed my pockets with as many cones as possible (while hanging onto the dog lol) I also collected some fallen branches. Now can I use alder branches in the tank? pretty sure I can I just want to double check

How long should I dry the alder cones for? they are only tiny ones

Went back up to the tree with Lizzie this time, got a bag full of cones and some more branches. Just need to trim them up and get them soaking.

Oh I'm so glad you mentioned that....Just as I noticed some alder cones lying around school on Friday, my little girl came out bringing 2 home for the fish!!! Are they the same as almond leaves in that I use the fallen ones only, cause they are all soaking wet with the rain! If only I could figure out which tree....there are loads of trees around the school and they all look the same right now.

Yes use the fallen ones I have put mine in a cardboard box in the house to dry them out.

Great!!!!

You can pick them straight from the tree no need to wait for them to fall also less chance of anything bad being on them

I would but the branches are too high lol

I am very tree ignorant.. I would pick the wrong branch or cone, and end up doing something really bad... but I would think a cone would look neat in a fish tank..

Alder cone, this is a nice large one I got from Steve.


The ones I collected are much smaller. An alder tree looses its leaves in winter and the cones are bunched up on the end branches, where pine cones tend to not be so closely bunched and the tree has needles.


If I remember the camera I will take a pic of the alder tree when I take the dogs out

They have to completely dry out before going in the tank?

I have left mine in a cardboard box on top of one of the tanks to dry out, I believe they are best dried