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
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

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

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.