  We realize a given (monic) Alexander polynomial by a (fibered) hyperbolic
arborescent knot and link of any number of components, and by infinitely many
such links of at least 4 components. As a consequence, a Mahler measure
minimizing polynomial, if it exists, is realized as the Alexander polynomial of
a fibered hyperbolic link of at least 2 components. For given polynomial, we
give also an upper bound on the minimal hyperbolic volume of knots/links, and
contrarily, construct knots of arbitrarily large volume, which are arborescent,
or have given free genus at least 2.
