In California it is found primarily along the coast from San Luis Obispo County northward. In southern california Alnus rhombifolia is the more commonly found alder. Red Alder is the largest species of alder in North America and one of the largest in the world, reaching heights of 20-30 meters.

35 alder species

The alder is also the only native deciduous tree to have tiny cones. Alder is monoecious, which means that both male and female flowers are found on the same tree. They take the form of catkins that appear in early spring, between February and April, usually before the leaves.

Alder, or Alnus to use its Latin name, is a small genus of about 30 species of tree and shrub. They belong to the Betulaceae family along with Birch trees and, like Birch, they feature catkins. Alder trees are monoecious, so both the male and female catkins are found on each tree.

The Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a large fast growing native deciduous tree which thrives in wet boggy situations. This is a tree widely used for coppicing and windbreaks.

The name Alder is a boy’s name meaning “old”. Alder is an occasionally-used name that derives from an old English surname and also might refer to the alder tree, whose wood is used to make electric guitars.

Alder trees grow in a conical shape. Conical in shape, mature trees can reach a height of around 28m and live to approximately 60 years. The bark is dark and fissured and is often covered in lichen. Twigs have a light brown, spotted stem which turns red towards the top.

A robust species, the alder can be grown in a windbreak or a hedge and, because the trees will grow at a rate of 1 metre or more per year when young, they are very quick to establish.

What is Alder Wood Used For? Most of the higher grade lumber is used for furniture, cabinetry, and turned products. Alder is also used in doors, millwork, decorative woodwork, carvings, and edge-glued panels. Alder dries to an even honey tone and can be finished to resemble more expensive fine-grained species.

Alder trees grow in a conical shape. Conical in shape, mature trees can reach a height of around 28m and live to approximately 60 years.

Most trees can be propagated from cuttings.. Probably best to use rooting powder on cuttings from birch and alder and the success rate will be less than with willow.

red alder is well known and an important consider ation in decisions to manage the species. On moderate to good sites, planted trees may be 2 to 3 m tall after 2 years, 6 to 8 m tall at 5 years, and 14 to 20 m tall at 15 years.

Alder grows very fast provided plenty of moisture is available to them. Aim to sow during April on seedbeds or in a pot (around 5 seeds per pot and remove all but the strongest seedling). Cover the seed thinly (3-5mm of coarse horticultural sand or grit).

Red alder is monoecious, having separate male and female flowers on the same individual. and turn from green to reddish-brown, releasing their pollen in late winter and early spring. Female flowers are borne in clumps of upright catkins, which later develop into cone-like strobiles that bear the seed.

It is used for furniture, cabinetry, small manufactured items, paper and paper products. The hard wood burns hot and relatively long, making it an excellent choice for firewood. Use by wildlife: Finches eat the seeds of Red Alder. Deer and elk eat the leaves, twigs and buds of young trees.

Deer and elk eat the leaves, twigs, and buds of young red alder trees in fall, winter, and early spring. Beavers eat the bark, and build dams and lodges with the stems [64].

Young alder trees benefit from formative pruning to retain a good shape. Smaller branches growing off the central leading trunk that fall below the larger branches can be trimmed off. Young shoots sprouting from the trunk, and root suckers, should also be removed as part of this process.

The alder tree is usually regarded as the Goddess tree and it has been associated with several deities or gods in history. There are many symbolism of the alder tree and some of these trees include strength, release, determination, protection, discrimination, confidence, and royalty.

Alders are monoecious, that is they have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers mature before the females, preventing self-pollination. Male flowers hang in pendulous catkins.

Continuing with the refrigerator analogy, in the fall, alder trees—just like other deciduous trees—get rid of their old leaves by “sending them to recycling” down on the forest floor. But alders do not take the food out first! They leave the chlorophyll in the leaves, “wasting” valuable resources including nitrogen.

It grows faster than the common alder and can reach 100ft tall. Alders may be an acquired taste in the garden, but the elder is much more common. Like the alder, it is by no means glamorous, being a scruffy, shrubby kind of tree, but it has real magic.

Alder is white when freshly cut, but quickly changes to light brown with a yellow or reddish hue with exposure to air.

The alder is capable of enduring clipping as well as coastal conditions. The tree may be cultivated as a windbreak. It adapts to the conditions fast and the young trees also develop rapidly, almost growing about one meter or more in a year.

Seasoned alder firewood burns relatively fast but creates a hot fire with decent coals. Many people choose to burn the wood during the fall or spring when the outside temperatures are moderate. Or you can mix the wood in with other dense hardwoods like oak, maple or beech.

Alders and birches are both in the birch family (Betulaceae). You might say they’re cousins — different genera, with alders in the genus Alnus and birches in Betula. Many species of alder and birch have prominent lenticels — prominent enough that the bark isn’t all that smooth.