ExploreTree

Black Alder

Alnus glutinosa

Black Alder is a strong tree that grows near water! It has dark bark and can provide a home for many critters.

Habitat: Wetlands and riverbanks

Appearance

The Black Alder has dark, deeply fissured bark and distinctive roundish, somewhat sticky green leaves. It produces long, purple-brown male catkins and small, cone-like fruits that persist on the branches, giving it a unique look, especially in winter.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyBetulaceaeGenusAlnus

Black Alder

Interesting facts

Alder cones are like mini Christmas decorations that stay on the branches all winter long!

Its super durable wood was used to build Venice, as it lasts almost forever underwater!

Look closely, its leaves stay green and never turn vibrant autumn colors before falling!

These trees release huge clouds of tiny pollen in spring, making the air look hazy!

Special abilities

Black Alder can enrich the soil with nitrogen using special root bacteria, making the ground more fertile for other plants to grow.

Black Alder has roots that thrive in waterlogged soil, helping it grow strong in damp places where many other trees struggle.

Black Alder's wood becomes incredibly tough and resistant to rot when submerged in water, making it last a long time.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-25 m
Canopy Spread: 6-12 m
Is Edible: No
Trunk Diameter: 40-100 cm
Lifespan: 60-120 years
Fruit Type: Strobile (woody cone)
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Frankia bacteria

Frankia alni

helps fix nitrogen in its root nodules

eats

Eurasian Siskin

Carduelis spinus

enjoys feeding on the tree's abundant small seeds

eats

Alder Leaf Beetle

Agelastica alni

larvae and adults feed on the tree's leaves

shelters

Eurasian Otter

Lutra lutra

often uses alder-lined riverbanks for denning

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!

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.