European Black Alder
Other names
Black Alder, European Alder, Common Alder
Growth habit
Tree
Native distribution
Europe, Western Asia, Northern Africa, Naturalized in parts of U.S.A.
Location
Source of plant
American Horticultural Society, Schichtel's Nursery
Description
Variable habit, often being weakly pyramidal in outline but at other times developing an ovoid or oblong head of irregular proportions; small trees show a pyramidal habit; plants reach 40' to 60' in height, 20' to 40' in width, but can attain 90' to 100' in height. Young bark is often a lustrous gray-green or greenish-brown that changes to polished brown with age. Leaves do not develop fall color but abscise green or brown. Flowers monoecious, reddish-brown, the male flowers in 2" to 4" long catkins in early to mid-March that are rather handsome, the female in purplish distinctly egg-shaped strobile.
USDA Hardiness Zone
3
Special characteristics
invasive