Red Alder

Named for the rusty-red colour which shows when the grey bark is damaged, Alnus rubra is a tall, very fast-growing deciduous tree from the coastal north-west of the US and south-west Canada. It has a graceful habit with a narrow head and pendulous lower branches. The yellow male catkins are 6”/15cm long, appearing before the leaves; the inconspicuous female catkins are followed by small brown cones, which release small winged seeds in autumn and remain on the tree over winter. The leaves are large and heart-shaped with a curled-back edge, deep-green above and grey underneath, remaining green into autumn. Red alder is very wind-resistant, and also useful in damper soils.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any reasonably well drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Spring, summer, autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: Eventually up to 98ft (30m) Spread: 26ft (8m)