ExploreTree

Alder

Alnus

Alder trees have smooth bark and can grow near water! They have lovely green leaves that provide shade.

Habitat: Wetlands and riverbanks

Appearance

The Alder has rounded, toothed, dark green leaves and small, distinctive woody 'cones' that remain on branches through winter. Its bark is smooth and grey, becoming fissured with age, and it often grows with multiple trunks.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyBetulaceaeGenusAlnus

Alder

Interesting facts

Alder trees produce both male and female flowers on the same tree!

Alder wood turns orange when cut and is super water-resistant!

Its wood was used to build foundations for Venice, the city on water!

Native Americans used alder bark to make red and orange dyes!

Special abilities

Alder has roots that can thrive in wet, marshy ground, allowing it to colonize damp areas where other trees struggle to grow.

Alder can regrow vigorously from its stump if cut down, a powerful ability that allows it to quickly recover from damage or harvesting.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-30 m
Canopy Spread: 8-15 m
Is Edible: No
Trunk Diameter: 30-100 cm
Lifespan: 50-120 years
Fruit Type: Small woody cones
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Frankia bacteria

Frankia alni

helps fix nitrogen for the tree

eats

Alder leaf beetle

Agelastica alni

feeds on alder leaves

eats

Moose

Alces alces

browses on young alder shoots and bark

eats

Eurasian Siskin

Carduelis spinus

feeds on tiny alder seeds

symbiotic with

Alder Milkcap

Lactarius tabidus

forms mycorrhizal associations with roots

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Nitrogen Fixing

These amazing organisms are like nature's tiny fertilizer factories! They take nitrogen from the air and turn it into food for plants, enriching the soil for everyone.

Shade Tolerant

Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.

Broadleaf Tree

Discover magnificent trees that have wide, flat leaves, unlike the needles of pine trees! These are often the trees that change colors beautifully in autumn.

Rapid Growing

Watch these energetic plants grow super fast, quickly transforming spaces and adding lush greenery in a blink of an eye!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.