Alnus glutinosa — Common Alder

A native tree, common in damp areas.

The alternate leaves are never pointed and usually have a cardioid-like indentation at the end. Buds are stalked and bloomed. The male catkins ripen a beautiful claret colour in winter. The persistent cones are initially green but ripen brown and woody.

Two cultivars with lobed leaves are sometimes planted: ‘Laciniata’ with regular triangular lobes; and ‘Imperialis’ a tree with a leaning top and deeply-lobed leaves resulting in very feathery foliage.

For similar trees see: Alders

 
 

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Copyright © 2007 Philip Brassett