About

Alnus incana 'Aurea' is a sizable, conical deciduous tree characterized by its yellow-green foliage. In spring, it produces prominent male catkins that can reach lengths of up to 10 cm. The smaller female catkins develop into small, cone-shaped fruits that mature to a dark brown hue in autumn and remain 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
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Trees
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
8-12 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
20-50 years

Care notes

Cultivation
Able to thrive in poor, wet conditions but also tolerates dry soils
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by hardwood cuttings
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