Common Alder.

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Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 1 to 7 days

Mature size

Up to 25m tall and 15m wide

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 8

Bloom time

Early spring

Cuidados

Common Alder thrives in moist to wet conditions and tolerates a wide range of soil types, though it prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH. It can handle full sun to partial shade. Pruning is generally minimal, mainly for shaping or removing dead branches.

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist, especially when young. Tolerates waterlogged conditions.

Feeding

Generally not needed due to nitrogen fixation, but a balanced fertilizer in spring can help establish young trees.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Can be pruned for shape.

Repotting

Mature trees rarely need repotting; young trees may benefit from repotting every 5-10 years if root-bound.

Soil

Prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates clay and wet conditions

Soil pH

4.5 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 30°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 60 to 100 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate; young trees may be browsed by deer and rabbits, especially when other food is scarce.

Seguridad

People

This plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

No specific safety concerns for children beyond typical outdoor plant handling.

Contact allergens

Sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen can be an allergen for some people, especially during its spring bloom.

Edibility

This plant is not typically eaten by humans.

Cómo identificarla

• Dark green, sticky leaves
• Toothed leaf margins
• Small, woody cones (strobiles)
• Grayish-brown, fissured bark
• Shrubby or tree-like growth habit

Height

15 to 25m

Spread

10 to 15m

Leaves

dark green, deciduous

Flowers

brown, reddish

Fruit

brown, Late summer to fall

Problemas frecuentes

• Aphids — Small, pear-shaped insects that feed on plant sap, causing distorted growth.
• Alder leaf beetle — Larvae and adults feed on alder leaves, skeletonizing them.
• Anthracnose — Fungal disease causing leaf spots and blight, especially in wet conditions.
• Root rot — Fungal disease favored by waterlogged soils, leading to wilting and decline.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

Seed, Cuttings

When to plant

Spring, Fall

Overwintering

As a hardy deciduous tree, Alnus glutinosa requires no special overwintering care in the ground. In containers, ensure the root ball is protected from extreme freezes by mulching heavily or moving the pot to a sheltered location.

In containers

Not well-suited for containers due to its large size and preference for moist, expansive soil conditions.

Plant alder in areas with consistently moist or wet soil, like near streams or in boggy spots, to ensure its best growth and ecological benefits.

Buenas compañeras

• Willow — Willows share similar wet habitat preferences and can help stabilize stream banks alongside alder.
• Red Osier Dogwood — This shrub also thrives in moist conditions and adds visual interest with its colorful stems in winter.
• Cattail — Cattails are excellent wetland indicators and provide habitat in shallow water areas where alder grows.
• Marsh Marigold — This cheerful yellow wildflower blooms in spring in the damp soil around alder roots.

Mantenla lejos de

• Waterlogging (extreme) — While it loves moisture, prolonged periods of stagnant, anoxic water can stress the roots.
• Drought — Extended dry periods can significantly stress this moisture-loving tree.

Especies parecidas

• Green Alder — Green alder is a shrubby species typically found in drier, mountainous regions and has smooth, not sticky, buds.
• Grey Alder — Grey alder prefers moist but not waterlogged soils and has greyish bark and leaves that are not sticky.

Ciencia

Family

Betulaceae

Genus

Alnus

Order

Fagales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

It colonizes wet habitats, including riverbanks and bogs, and improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant, provides nesting material

Pollinators

bees, moths

Uses

erosion control, windbreaks, wetland restoration, timber

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

What are the best conditions for Alnus glutinosa?

It thrives in moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade.

How fast does it grow?

It's a relatively fast-growing tree, especially in ideal conditions.

Can it tolerate flooding?

Yes, it is very tolerant of waterlogged soils and periodic flooding.

When does it flower and produce seeds?

It flowers in early spring, and its cone-like fruits mature in the fall.

De dónde viene el nombre

The scientific name 'Alnus' is the Latin name for alder. 'Glutinosa' comes from the Latin word 'glutinosus', meaning 'sticky' or 'glutinous', referring to the young shoots and buds.

Bueno saberlo

• It's one of the few trees that can fix nitrogen from the air.
• Its roots help stabilize soil in wet areas.
• The wood is resistant to decay in water, making it useful for underwater structures.
• It's often found growing in wet woodlands and along riverbanks.