Are evergreen alders suitable for small backyards?
Don told Wendy that although evergreen alders (Alnus jorullensis also known as A. acuminata) are beautiful trees, they are not suitable for small backyards. These trees are massive when fully grown. The neighbour’s trees weren’t even half grown at about 10m (30′) tall. In the years to come they could grow up to 30m (100′) tall.
What are the different types of alder trees?
The different types of alder trees include tall trees with single trunks and much shorter, multi-stemmed specimens that can be grown as shrubs. Tree types grow 40 to 80 feet (12-24 m.) tall, and include the red and white alders. You can distinguish these two trees by their leaves.
How tall do alder trees grow in the US?
There are about 35 alder species, comprising of large trees and smaller shrub-like trees. Many species of alders grow between 66 and 100 ft. (20 – 30 m) tall. Most alder species thrive in USDA zones 5 through 8; however, some individual species may be more or less cold-hardy.
Do alder trees lose their leaves?
Alders remain a stubborn green. Many won't drop their leaves until long after the snow falls. This reluctance is one of the wonders of an overlooked organism, said ecologist Roger Ruess.
Are alder trees evergreen or deciduous?
Though the majority of alder tree species are deciduous, these trees resist the brilliant autumn color change of most other deciduous species. Green leaves fall from the tree as it prepares for dormancy. Since these trees are able to fix nitrogen in the soil, they can grow in less than fertile areas.
Is an alder tree coniferous?
Alder leaves are deciduous (not evergreen), alternate, simple, and serrated. The leaves during autumn leaf-fall lack the bright colors characteristic of many deciduous trees in the north temperate zone.
What is special about alder trees?
Alder trees can extract and use nitrogen from the air in the same way that legumes, such as beans and peas do. Since they don't need nitrogen fertilizer, they are ideal for areas that aren't regularly maintained.
What alder trees look like?
Alder trees are easily identified by their brown hard, cone-like strobiles that dangle from bare brown-purple twigs that have orange markings. You can also spot alder trees by their light gray bark and orange-brown drooping flowers.
What is the difference between alder and birch?
Alder has yellow-green, racquet-shaped leaves with indented tips and finely serrated edges. They are alternately arranged on the branches. Birch has oval or elliptical leaves with pointed tips and toothed margins. They are greenish-yellow on the upper side, and light-green on the bottom side.
Is alder a tree or bush?
Alders are trees comprising the genus Alnus in the birch family Betulaceae. The genus comprises about 35 species of monoecious trees and shrubs, a few reaching a large size, distributed throughout the north temperate zone with a few species extending into Central America, as well as the northern and southern Andes.
How fast does an alder tree grow?
A robust species, the alder can be grown in a windbreak or a hedge and, because the trees will grow at a rate of 1 metre or more per year when young, they are very quick to establish. This makes them an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands on disused farmland, difficult sites etc.
Is alder the same as poplar?
Alder and Poplar are similar woods. Without a finish on them, Alder will tend to have a light tan or brownish tint, while poplar typically is whiter with greenish and sometimes even purplish tints to it. I would also characterize poplar's grain as more "even" whereas alder will often have more "specs" or "flecks".
Is alder a good landscape tree?
Alder Trees Make a Great Landscaping Choice The many looks of the Alder tree makes it a desirable landscaping choice. If you want a fast growing tree, the Alder won't disappoint.
Is alder better than pine?
Pine wood is more varied than alder and does not hold stains well. Especially the Eastern White Pine, this wood can have a pale white tone, with green hues throughout. It is often used in log homes to provide a raw look. Pine swinging doors may work best in lower-traffic areas since the softwood dents easily.
How tall will an alder tree grow?
Alder tree (Alnus glutinosa) is a native tree throughout Europe, including Britain and Ireland. It grows to a maximum height of 25m over around 50 years, and is short-lived, with a life expectancy of just 60 years.
What is an evergreen alder?
Evergreen Alder (Toorak Gum) is a fast growing medium sized evergreen tree. This tree is tough and will quite often thrive where other trees have difficultly growing. It prefers soil with higher amounts of moisture and loves low wet ground. Evergreen Alder is great as it can be shaped as well as used as a windbreak.
Is alder fast growing?
A robust species, the alder can be grown in a windbreak or a hedge and, because the trees will grow at a rate of 1 metre or more per year when young, they are very quick to establish. This makes them an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands on disused farmland, difficult sites etc.
Is alder the same as poplar?
Alder and Poplar are similar woods. Without a finish on them, Alder will tend to have a light tan or brownish tint, while poplar typically is whiter with greenish and sometimes even purplish tints to it. I would also characterize poplar's grain as more "even" whereas alder will often have more "specs" or "flecks".
How fast do evergreen alders grow?
9ft per yearIn spite of the backlash the Evergreen Alder or Toorak 'Gum Tree' Alnus, Alnus jorulensis are still one of the top selling evergreen trees as they grow in any soil, even waterlogged, heavy clay and subsoil and if they are kept grass free around their base, well watered and fertilised they are capable of growing 9ft per ...
What family is an alder tree?
The 30 members of the genus are classified in the Betulaceae family, which is more commonly known as the birch family. The thin bark and light wood of the Alder tree make it obvious that this tree belongs with other Betulaceae species. The most notable features of all varieties of alder trees is its catkins and strobiles.
How tall is a white alder tree?
The white alder grows at a fast pace to about 30 feet in height, before slowly creeping towards its full maturation of 50 feet. Some of the tallest specimens of this species have been known to reach 100 feet. The tree gets its common name from its bark color, which ranges from white to gray. It's a good choice if you have a soggy spot in your yard or garden and it has deep green leaves with a fresh fragrance.
How did the black alder get its name?
Its Latin name, Alnus glutinosa, tips you off that this tree develops a gummy resin on new leaves and buds. Take note that this alder species can become invasive in some areas. 1 If you prefer the look of leaves that are dissected (divided into many sections), look for the 'Laciniata' and 'Imperialis' cultivars.
What is the color of the bark on an alder tree?
Also known as a speckled alder or mountain alder, this species is commonly seen in the Rocky Mountains of North America. These trees have smooth, gray bark and the underside of the leaves also has a gray appearance. While most other alder trees produce yellow catkins, this tree has reddish-purple catkins that appear each spring.
What is the name of the tree with gummy leaves?
Its Latin name, Alnus glutinosa, tips you off that this tree develops a gummy resin on new leaves and buds. Take note that this alder species can become invasive in some areas. 1 If you prefer the look of leaves that are dissected (divided into many sections), look for the 'Laciniata' and 'Imperialis' cultivars.
What is the name of the hardwood tree in the Pacific Northwest?
For this reason, it's aptly known as the Pacific Coast alder or Oregon alder. You can identify this species from the others in the genus by the fact that the margins of the leaves curl under. The bark can be used to make different colors of natural dyes .
Why do alder trees fall green?
Green leaves fall from the tree as it prepares for dormancy. Since these trees are able to fix nitrogen in the soil, they can grow in less than fertile areas.
Where do white alders grow?
In the Pacific Northwest of North America, the white alder ( Alnus rhombifolia) unlike other northwest alders, has an affinity for warm, dry climates, where it grows along watercourses, such as along the lower Columbia River east of the Cascades and the Snake River, including Hells Canyon.
Where does the name Alder come from?
The common name alder evolved from the Old English word alor, which in turn is derived from Proto-Germanic root aliso. The generic name Alnus is the equivalent Latin name, from whence French aulne and Spanish Alamo (Spanish term for " poplar ").
Why are alder leaves important?
glutinosa and A. viridis are classed as environmental weeds in New Zealand. Alder leaves and especially the roots are important to the ecosystem because they enrich the soil with nitrogen and other nutrients.
Why are red alders beneficial?
As a result of this mutually beneficial relationship, alder improves the fertility of the soil where it grows, and as a pioneer species, it helps provide additional nitrogen for the successional species to follow. A red alder seed is a tiny samara like those of all alders.
How tall is a red alder?
glutinosa ), native to most of Europe and widely introduced elsewhere, both reaching over 30 m (98.42 ft). By contrast, the widespread Alnus alnobetula (green alder) is rarely more than a 5-metre-tall (16-foot) shrub.
How much nitrogen does red alder produce?
Red alder stands have been found to supply between 130 to 320 kilograms per hectare (120 to 290 pounds per acre) of nitrogen annually to the soil.
What is the relationship between alder and Frankia alni?
Alder is particularly noted for its important symbiotic relationship with Frankia alni, an actinomycete, filamentous, nitrogen-fixing bacterium. This bacterium is found in root nodules, which may be as large as a human fist, with many small lobes, and light brown in colour. The bacterium absorbs nitrogen from the air and makes it available to the tree. Alder, in turn, provides the bacterium with sugars, which it produces through photosynthesis. As a result of this mutually beneficial relationship, alder improves the fertility of the soil where it grows, and as a pioneer species, it helps provide additional nitrogen for the successional species which follow.
How to identify an alder tree?
Alder trees are easily identified by their brown hard, cone-like strobiles that dangle from bare brown-purple twigs that have orange markings. You can also spot alder trees by their light gray bark and orange-brown drooping flowers. Another identifying feature of the alder trees is their pointed egg-shaped green leaves with serrated edges.
How big do alder trees get?
Alder ( Alnus) is a genus of flowering deciduous trees in the family Betulaceae. There are about 35 alder species, comprising of large trees and smaller shrub-like trees. Many species of alders grow between 66 and 100 ft. (20 – 30 m) tall.
What is the difference between a male and female alder tree?
Alder Tree Flowers. Alder male flowers (catkins) are long and slender whereas the female flowers turn to woody round cones (strobiles) An alder tree flower is a type of slender, conical flower cluster called a catkin. Alders are also monoecious trees—meaning they have male and female flowers on the same tree.
How long does a black alder flower grow?
Female black alder flowers only grow up to 1” (2.5 cm) long, and they bloom on the end of branches. Black alder catkins and cones. Black alder fruit is the characteristic black cones that develop from female catkins. The alder cones measure up to 1” (2.5 cm) and can be black or a coppery-brown color.
What are the leaves on an alder tree?
Generally, alder tree leaves are egg-shaped blades with a central vein and parallel veins from the midriff to the serrated leaf edge. Some alder tree leaves have toothed edges and pointed tips, whereas others are rounded and smooth.
How tall does a green alder grow?
Green alder shrubs grow up to 32 ft. (10 m) tall but are more likely to be 3 – 10 ft. (1 – 3 m). The multiple stems grow in clusters, making the green alder a suitable deciduous plant to grow as a hedge.
What is the name of the tree with the brown cones?
Trees. Alder trees (botanical name Alnus) are tall deciduous trees known for their drooping flower clusters and brown woody cones called strobiles. Several species of alder trees are native to North America and Europe, with the Red Alder ( Alnus rubra) and Black Alder ( Alnus glutinosa) being the two most common.
How tall is an alder tree?
Alder is a member of the birch family of trees, Betulaceae. It can reach 30 metres in height, although in Scotland it is rarely more than 20 metres tall. Like the birches, it is a pioneer species which grows quickly and is relatively short-lived. It can live to around 150 years old.
Where is alder found?
Distribution in Scotland. Alder is found throughout Scotland, although its presence in Shetland is due to planting.
What fungus grows in alder catkins?
The fruits of the brown cup fungus appear in spring, on alder catkins after they have fallen to the ground. A rare fungus called Taphrina amentorum grows in the flowers and seeds of young alder catkins.
Why is alder important to fish?
As a deep-rooted species, it helps to maintain the soil in river banks and reduces the effects of erosion. Alder root systems which are exposed in the water can give shelter to fish and provide a safe refuge from predators. Alder foliage provides shade which is beneficial to fish , including salmon and brown trout.
How does alder help the bacterium?
Alder, in turn, provides the bacterium with carbon, which it produces through photosynthesis. This relationship allows alder to improve the fertility of the soils where it grows. As a pioneer species, it helps provide nutrients for the successional species which follow.
How big are alder buds?
The buds are 7 mm. in length. Alder is deciduous, and the new leaves open out in April. They are up to 10 cm. in size with a waved margin and are almost circular in shape. Sometimes they have a notch at the apex, and they taper to a slight point on the leaf stem.
What is the color of alder bark?
Alder bark is dark grey and fissured, while the young branches are smooth and greenish in colour. Branches are ascending in their growth form, and trees with two or three main trunks are common. The twigs are sometimes sticky to the touch.
What is the alder tree?
Steeped in mythology and folklore, the alder tree is formidable and awe-inspiring any way you look at it. Not the kind of tree too afraid to get its feet wet, the alder has been a permanent fixture of swamps, streams, and rivers. So it’s no wonder it has always been associated with mysteries and fairy tales in different cultures throughout the ages.
Where does the alder tree grow?
It also grows freely in the wetland forests of the UK and Ireland which might explain the origin of the many myths and mysteries surrounding it. In Welsh mythology, the goddess Bran always carries branches of alder.
How old do alder saplings need to be to transplant?
When the saplings are about 3 months old, you can transplant them to their permanent place in your garden or lawn. Pick a spot in the garden that gets the full sun for most of the day. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the rootball of the alder sapling and twice as wide.
How long does it take for an alder tree to grow?
Alder trees are easy to grow and care for. The key to success here is patience. Although some alder varieties have faster growth rates than others, these are trees known for longevity and would take years to reach their full height and girth. Usually, there are two ways to start your alder tree.
What is the best wood for doors?
Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa): Averaging between 40 to 60 feet high, this variety can tolerate partial shade and has USDA hardiness zones between 3 to 7. Its bark is used in traditional medicine while the wood is good for making doors and cabinets. Some popular cultivars include ‘Imperialis’ and ‘Laciniata’.
Why is alder oil used in herbal medicine?
Traditional Medicine: People into herbal medicine have always used alder oil to treat various ailments including diarrhea, muscle aches, and nausea. The heart-shaped leaves also offer relief to skin diseases.
How to start an alder tree from seed?
The flat seeds mature in May each year. Put the seeds in an air-tight bag along with some wet peat moss and keep it in the fridge for about 3 months.
What is the best alder tree?
Black Alder: Mostly found in Europe, this type of alder tree is known for its height. White Alder: While most alders prefer to be close to a water source such as streams, rivers and marshy wetlands, this type of alder can withstand drier climates. Green Alder: Small and slow growing with a crown of bright, bushy green leaves, ...
How tall is an alder tree?
Facts About the Alder Tree. Native to the United Kingdom, the alder tree's official Latin name is alnus glutinosa. It can grow to a towering 40 to 80 feet in height when it is fully grown depending on the type of alder. It is part of the birch family, which you can see in its attractive, light-gray bark that is speckled with white. Advertisement.
Why are my alder leaves green?
The egg-shaped leaves drop to the ground – perfectly green – in winter to reveal the showy seeds that make this tree so attractive during the colder months. The red alder has a leaf that has a crisp cur on its outer edges. The white alder has leaves that are flatter along the edges.
What is green alder?
Green Alder: Small and slow growing with a crown of bright, bushy green leaves, this alder can adapt to soil and weather conditions and is often used as a shrub for landscaping. Advertisement.
What tree produces seeds?
The way that the alder tree produces its seeds is slightly fascinating to arborists. It is the only native British deciduous tree that creates cones. The seeds are grown in rather small cones that pop out from the thin branches of a mature alder tree.
How tall does Sitka Alder grow?
Sitka Alder: It has thin leaves and grows to about 25 feet in height at its full maturity. They are sometimes used as shrubs for privacy or wind protection. Red Alder: This is the largest species that can grow to nearly 80 feet at its peak. They can also be found in the Pacific Northwest.
Is an alder tree hardy?
This hardy tree is often used when an area is under reforestation. It stabilizes soil in rainy, wet areas. The wide, leafy canopy makes the alder tree a perfect shade tree for home gardeners. The cones are bitter tasting but have a high protein content.
Red Alder
The red alder (Alnus rubra) is a native to the Pacific Northwest from Alaska to Montana. It is one of the largest alder species that grows in the wild. On average, the red alder could tower well over 80 feet. It grows well in cooler zones between 4 and 7.
Black Alder
The black alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a member of the Betulaceae family and is native to Europe and North Africa. It grows well in moist and damp climates where the soil is constantly wet. It gets its name from the dark resin that flows out of the fissures of the bark as the tree gets old.
Seaside Alder
One of the smaller alders, the seaside alder (Alnus maritima) grows only to about 30 feet on a good day. As the name implies, this alder grows in moist soil and can be found in the swamps of Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, and Oklahoma.
White Alder
The white alder (Alnus rhombifolia) is also known as Siera alder and California alder. Native to the western regions of North America, it grows widely in Oregon and California. It has thin leaves as opposed to the broad leaves of the red alder.
Italian Alder
The Italian alder (Alnus cordata) is a member of the birch family. A native of Italy and France, the tree grows to 30 to 50 feet and offers many ornamental values. Besides its round canopy and symmetrical shape, the Italian alder also has attractive heart-shaped leaves.
Mexican Alder
The Mexican alder (Alnus jorullensis) is native to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala, among other Central America regions. Although it comes in many types between shrubs and trees, it can grow to 80 feet.
Japanese Alder
The Japanese alder (Alnus japonica) is native to the eastern fringes of Asia, mainly in Korea, Japan, and Eastern China. It grows well in zones 5 to 7 and requires full sun to thrive. The tree itself is rather small, averaging about 25 feet high. Some varieties can reach 40 feet tall, but that’s rare.
Overview
Ecology
Description
Taxonomy
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Further reading
External links
Alders are commonly found near streams, rivers, and wetlands. Sometimes where the prevalence of alders is particularly prominent these are called alder carrs. In the Pacific Northwest of North America, the white alder (Alnus rhombifolia) unlike other northwest alders, has an affinity for warm, dry climates, where it grows along watercourses, such as along the lower Columbi…