Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

40-60'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Green

 

Fruit Color

Brown, Yellow

 

Fruit Season

Winter

Sun

Full, Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium, High, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Fast, Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Moist

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Wetlands, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Multi-trunk Tree

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring

 

Location Uses

Background, Lawn, Park

 

Special Uses

Screen, Wind Break, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

European Alder, also called Common Alder, is a tall (30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide), rounded to oval tree with small, round, serrated leaves, long catkin-like clusters, and little nutlets that resemble very small pine cones. This tree is not suited for dry landscapes, but could be a good choice where there is a high water table, moist soils, or along a waterway.

Grows best in course to medium, nutrient rich, moist soils and sunny to lightly shaded areas. European alder can tolerate floods but not drought. It is able to survive extremely cold winters. The seeds, buds, and catkins are important winter food for various birds, including chickadees and goldfinches.