Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
The Common Alder is a large tree with conical crown and inversely ovate, dark-green leaves. The catkins are reddish-brown. The Common Alder is a first-class pioneer and can grow up to 150 years old.
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Appearance
The Common Alder is a large tree with conical crown and inversely ovate, dark-green leaves. The catkins are reddish-brown. The Common Alder is a first-class pioneer and can grow up to 150 years old.
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Leaves
Round or obovate. 4-10cm long, 3-8cm wide, leaf stem 1.5-2.5 cm long. Double-toothed edge. Leaves are glossy dark green above, blue-green below.
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Leaf upperside
Round or obovate. 4-10cm long, 3-8cm wide, leaf stem 1.5-2.5 cm long. Double-toothed edge. Leaves are glossy dark green above, blue-green below.
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Leaf underside
Round or obovate. 4-10cm long, 3-8cm wide, leaf stem 1.5-2.5 cm long. Double-toothed edge. Leaves are glossy dark green above, blue-green below.
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Flowers
Flowering period III-IV, reddish female flower, yellowish-brown male flower in long, conspicuous catkins, 5-10cm long.
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Fruits
Decorative woody cones, 1.5-1.8cm long, black-brown, appearing in groups of 3-5; ripen in September-October.
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Bark
Dark grey or grey-green bark, with deep fissures or scales. Branches are reddish brown, reddish or dark brown.
Application
Open country, open fields, pioneer tree, tip afforestation, stabilization of shores and hillsides, soil improvement, screening, noise abatement, wind-break, bird protection, forage for honey-bees, public areas, parks, roadside verges
Native regions
Europe, Middle East, Asia Minor, Balkans, Mediterranean countries, Caucasus, Turkey
Location parameters
Light: full sun to semi-shady, temperature: warm to cool soil: fresh to wet, stagnant moisture: resistant, soil structure: firm to normal, soil depth: shallow to very deep, soil quality: low to high, pH value: 5.5 to 7.0
Demands
Full sun to slight shade; for cold to moderate locations, very frost-hardy; fresh to wet soil, does not like dryness in early years; all acid substrates except oligotrophic sandy soils, moderately tolerant of salt
Growth
Height of growth: 20m to 25m, spread: 4m to 8m, moderately rapid growth potential, growth habits: horizontal, loose, spreading, central leader, often multi-stemmed
Leaves
Round or obovate. 4-10cm long, 3-8cm wide, leaf stem 1.5-2.5 cm long. Double-toothed edge. Leaves are glossy dark green above, blue-green below.
Flowers
Flowering period III-IV, reddish female flower, yellowish-brown male flower in long, conspicuous catkins, 5-10cm long.
Fruits
Decorative woody cones, 1.5-1.8cm long, black-brown, appearing in groups of 3-5; ripen in September-October.
Bark
Dark grey or grey-green bark, with deep fissures or scales. Branches are reddish brown, reddish or dark brown.
Roots
Intensive surface to heart rooter, no suckering, tolerates flooding and burial, nitrogen collector