About
A nearly evergreen tree that reaches heights of up to 25 meters, this species maintains its foliage throughout the winter months, shedding leaves in spring to quickly grow new ones. The leaves display a vibrant green hue, characterized by widely spaced serrations and an elongated shape. In spring, male catkins appear in a creamy color, while female woody cones develop by autumn. This tree can be pruned into a hedge and is suitable for pleaching, allowing for a distinct trunk.
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
- 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
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Semi evergreen
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
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 or can be pruned to a hedge
- 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