# Alder (*Alnus*)

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

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands and riverbanks
- **Also known as:** Green Alder, Speckled Alder

![Alder](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424537/objects/4813.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Fagales
- **Family:** Betulaceae
- **Genus:** Alnus

## 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

- **Waterlogged Survivor:** Alder has roots that can thrive in wet, marshy ground, allowing it to colonize damp areas where other trees struggle to grow.
- **Regrowth Power:** 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
- **Spread:** 8-15 m
- **Edible:** No
- **Size:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alder-leaf-beetle) (*Agelastica alni*) — feeds on alder leaves
- **Eats:** [Moose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/moose) (*Alces alces*) — browses on young alder shoots and bark
- **Eats:** [Eurasian Siskin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-siskin) (*Carduelis spinus*) — feeds on tiny alder seeds
- **Symbiotic with:** Alder Milkcap (*Lactarius tabidus*) — forms mycorrhizal associations with roots

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Nitrogen Fixing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nitrogen-fixing): Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Alder?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Alder?

15-30 m

### How wide does Alder spread?

8-15 m

### Is Alder edible?

No

### How big is Alder?

30-100 cm

### How long does Alder live?

50-120 years

### Where is Alder usually found?

Wetlands and riverbanks

### What kind of fruit does Alder produce?

Small woody cones

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Alder: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alder)