About
Alnus ferdinandi-coburgii is a deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 20 meters. Its robust green foliage is characterized by a fine layer of yellow hairs. Unlike many deciduous species, this tree's leaves do not exhibit autumn coloration; they simply fall while still green. Male catkins emerge in the autumn, gradually enlarging before fully opening in late spring. The female structures develop on solitary stems, maturing into round, woody fruits that persist on the tree throughout the winter months.
About the genus
Alnus comprises robust deciduous trees and sizable shrubs characterized by their rounded foliage and, during winter, noticeable catkins.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
- Native to
- SW China
Care notes
- Cultivation
- It is a nitrogen-fixer so can grow on poor soil. Suited to river banks on permanently damp soil in good light. For more information see tree cultivation.
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by hardwood cuttings or seed. For more advice see our information on how to propagate from seed (tree/shrub
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to alder leaf beetle, alder sucker and leaf-mining sawflies
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to phytophthora root rot and honey fungus