Black Alder
Alnus glutinosa

Height: 40-60´
Habit: oval, usually irregular

Landscape Value:

: The black alder is a tough tree especially suited for wet conditions and can tolerate submergence for extended periods. It can be used anywhere a willow might be desired and will not create the mess normally associated with the willow. It is a perfect candidate for pond and stream banks but does very well in drier landscape conditions as well. Black alders are commonly found in nurseries as multistemmed trees, making them a comparable design substitute for birches. The tree is affected by few pests and diseases, most of which are not serious. Black alders can be an attractive and useful choice for certain landscapes conditions.

Seasonal Characteristics:

• Summer: The black alder has extremely dark and glossy leaves that are quite attractive throughout the summer. It gives the homeowners a clear alternative to, or contrast with, the willow.
  
  
• Fall: The leaves fall off green or turn brown, so it is not a good choice when fall color is desired. Small woody cones (strobiles) form in the fall and persist through the winter and into the next year. Although not noticeable from a distance, they provide added interest.

Points of Interest:

Black alders are nitrogen-fixers. Like legumes, their roots contain organisms that have the capacity to fix free nitrogen from the air, transforming it into a usable form. The inner bark is considered to be a natural pesticide, and people rubbed themselves with it to get rid of lice and mites. Native Americans used bark tea to ease the pain of childbirth. The black alder plays an important role in erosion control along stream banks, and can perform similarly for the homeowners seeking erosion control.

Native Range:

Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It escaped cultivation in the U.S. and took up residence along waterways.

Link to Black Alder