Is an alder tree a conifer?
The black alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a tall, medium-sized deciduous tree with rounded glossy green leaves and dark-brown hard conifer-like cones. Black alder bark on immature trees is greenish-brown that gradually becomes dark gray and scaly.
Do alder trees have catkins?
The most notable features of all varieties of alder trees is its catkins and strobiles. Both male and female flowers (catkins) appear on the trees. As a monoecious species, alders self-pollinate. Female flowers begin developing as small, round green growths in the summer or fall before the next spring’s bloom.
What does a neddleleaf fir tree look like?
The unusual cone is also unique with, forked, snake-tongue-like bracts extending from each scale. The tree is one of the dominant trees in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and up the slopes to medium altitudes. It has been transplanted successfully throughout most of the North American temperate zone.
What Pokemon does alder have?
The Champion of the Unova region in Pokémon Black & White is a man named Alder. He uses three different Bug-type Pokémon on his team, which suggests that he favours this type above all others. Alder is an unusual trainer, as he travels the Unova region and involves himself in the events of the world, rather than hanging out with the Elite Four.
How do you identify an alder tree?
How to identify an alder tree. Alder trees are broadly conical in shape, and have dark and fissured bark. Twigs are light brown with orange spots, and young twigs are sticky (as implied by the glutinosa part of alder's botanical name). Leaves grow from purple or grey leaf buds and are fresh green and rounded.
Where does the alder tree grow?
White alders grow along streamsides or just adjacent to them on the dryer, rocky slopes above. Occupying a wide elevational range, they occur from just above sea level to almost 2400 m (8000 ft), primarily in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. White alder in January, southern Oregon, draped in catkins.
What is special about alder trees?
The most notable features of all varieties of alder trees are their catkins and strobiles. Both male and female flowers (catkins) appear on the trees. As a monoecious species, alders self-pollinate. Female flowers begin developing as small, round green growths in the summer or fall before the next spring's bloom.
How can you tell the difference between birch and alder?
The leaves of birches and alders are very similar, frequently leading to confusion between the species. Both are serrated and oval-shaped, about 2 to 3 inches wide by 3 to 4 inches long. Birch leaves have a pointed tip, and some varieties are spade-shaped, while alders are generally more rounded in appearance.
What is the lifespan of an alder tree?
Typically living less than 100 years, alder has a relatively short lifespan. So compared to other pioneer species like Douglas fir, which can often live to be 600 years old or more, alder is the “live fast, die young” tree of Pacific Northwest forests.
What animals live in alder trees?
Wildlife: Speckled alder thickets provide cover for moose, white-tailed deer, rabbits, and others. Moose, muskrats, beavers, and rabbits browse the twigs and foliage. Songbirds, including redpolls, goldfinches, woodcock, and grouse eat the seeds, buds, and catkins. Beavers build dams and lodges with speckled alder.
Do alder trees fall easily?
It is normal far small, and even fairly large, branches to die and drop, especially in alders. Healthy trees rarely just up and fall over, but a bad storm or combination of weather events can knock even a healthy tree over.
Is alder poisonous to dogs?
Alnus glutinosa has no toxic effects reported.
Which is better maple or alder?
The cost for alder doors, whether for cabinets or doorways, is about mid-way between inexpensive pine and expensive hardwoods. The downside to alder is that it is much easier to dent and scratch than hardwoods like maple. As a hardwood, maple is durable and will stand up well to years of heavy use.
What does natural alder look like?
Alder is white when freshly cut, but quickly changes to light brown with a yellow or reddish hue with exposure to air. It's a fairly straight grained wood with uniform texture and has the visual appeal of cherry, maple or birch.
Are poplar and alder the same?
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 more expensive than oak?
Soft woods, such as pine, often are 10 to 20 percent less costly than hardwoods, such as white oak. Alder is a popular choice in some new home developments because it is about 10 percent less costly than many harder woods. Alder has reddish brown to pale yellow tones with a soft, straight grain.
Is alder wood valuable?
According to the Hardwood Store in North Carolina—a website that publishes lumber prices in board feet—Alder is $3.95 per board foot for a 4x4 thickness of superior wood and $2.85 for knotty wood.
Where is alder wood found?
Principally the Pacific Northwest, where it is the most abundant commercial hardwood. Alder, a relative of birch, is almost white when freshly cut, but quickly changes with exposure to air, becoming light brown with a yellow or reddish tinge.
Can you eat alder trees?
Edible Uses of Alder The buds and catkins are edible as a survival food, bitter and not very palatable. There are sources that say the inner bark can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried even used as a flour – but maybe nix that raw idea. Fresh green bark is likely to make you throw up. Even in a tea.
Where is alder wood harvested?
Abundant and sustainable, alder is grown across the Pacific Northwest—with a range that spans from Southeast British Columbia all the way down to Northern California. This all-around adaptable hardwood has many advantages which have led to its spread in popularity among furniture and cabinetry makers worldwide.
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.
What is the difference between birch and alder?
Alder trees are related to birch trees ( Betula ). The difference between alders and birches is their cones. Alder female flowers become woody conical cones that turn brown during the fall.
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 tall is a red alder tree?
Its spreading branches create a conical shape with a slender, rounded crown. Red alder trees grow between 66 and 100 ft. (20 – 30 m) tall. The red alder tree is the largest in the genus Alnus.
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 long do alder trees live?
Generally, alders are fast-growing trees that live between 60 and 70 years. However, some alder trees live for up to 100 years.
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.
How tall do alder trees get?
Scientific name: Alnus glutinosa. Family: Betulaceae. Origin: native. Conical in shape, mature trees can reach a height of around 28m and live to approximately 60 years. The bark is dark and fissured and is often covered in lichen. Twigs have a light brown, spotted stem which turns ...
How do catkins grow in winter?
Once pollinated by wind, the female catkins gradually become woody and appear as tiny, cone-like fruits in winter. They open up to release their seeds, which are dispersed by wind and water.
What shape do alder trees grow?
Alder trees grow in a conical shape .
How long do alders live?
Alder can live to approximately 60 years.
What is the color of twigs?
The bark is dark and fissured and is often covered in lichen. Twigs have a light brown, spotted stem which turns red towards the top. Young twigs are sticky to touch.
What color are male catkins?
Male catkins are yellow and dangly, and female catkins are green and oval-shaped.
When do alders bloom?
Flowers are on catkins which appear between February and April. Alder is monoecious, which means that both male and female flowers are found on the same tree. Male catkins are pendulous, measuring 2–6cm, and turn yellow. Female catkins are green and oval-shaped and are grouped in numbers of three to eight on each stalk.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
What is a serrulata tree?
This species is either a shrub or a small tree. It tends to clone itself through suckers, forming a dense thicket of alders if left unchecked. The species name serrulata refers to the margins of the leaves, which are toothed. Also known as a tag alder or swamp alder, these trees need consistently moist soil conditions and are most often found near a water source, like a river or stream. They are most prevalent in the eastern part of North America.
What is the purpose of catkins?
The catkins of some alder species have a degree of edibility, and may be rich in protein. Reported to have a bitter and unpleasant taste, they are more useful for survival purposes. The wood of certain alder species is often used to smoke various food items such as coffee, salmon, and other seafood.
What is the bark of Venice made of?
Most of the pilings that form the foundation of Venice were made from alder trees. Alder bark contains the anti-inflammatory salicin, which is metabolized into salicylic acid in the body. Some Native American cultures use red alder bark ( Alnus rubra) to treat poison oak, insect bites, and skin irritations.
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.
What are the first species to colonize disturbed areas from floods, windstorms, fires, landsl?
Alders are common among the first species to colonize disturbed areas from floods, windstorms, fires, landslides, etc. Alder groves often serve as natural firebreaks since these broad-leaved trees are much less flammable than conifers.
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.
How to identify an alder ( Alnus) tree?
The best way to manage alder allergies is to learn about the tree and its pollen-producing habits.
What do alder (Alnus) trees look like?
Alder trees have pretty ordinary looks and that is why perhaps they are not popular as street trees or residential trees. They neither make great shade trees nor have ornamental qualities.
How does alder pollen spread?
Alder releases its pollen in the air and wind can carry its pollen many miles.
What does alder pollen look like?
Alder pollen is a fine yellow powder that the male flowers release into the air. The individual pollen grains, however, are invisible to the naked eye.
How do you know if an alder tree is releasing pollen?
When the male flowers turn powdery yellow, it means the tree is releasing pollen.
How long does it take for a catkin to release pollen?
Mature yellow powdery male catkins of alder (Alnus). These are definitely releasing pollen and will do so for approximately 6 weeks before falling off.
What color is the alder catkin?
The mature male alder catkin that releases pollen is powdery yellow-green with purple pigmentation (see picture below).
