About
A small, multi-stemmed tree or shrub, Alnus pendula typically reaches heights of up to 8 meters and spreads about 5 meters wide. Its branches exhibit a weeping habit, creating a distinctive silhouette. The leaves are robust, glossy green, and may occasionally reveal their lighter, fuzzy undersides. In spring, male catkins emerge, followed in autumn by the development of woody female cones.
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
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees, Shrubs
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Pendulous weeping
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal
- Native to
- Japan & Korea
Care notes
- Cultivation
- It is a nitrogen-fixer so can grow on poor soil. Very tolerant of harsh environments even coastal, in any soil but 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