Red Alder

Basisdaten

red alder (Alnus rubra) leaf
red alder (Alnus rubra) leaf
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) leaf
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) leaf underside
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) leaves
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) female blossom
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) male blossom
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) crown in winter
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) buds in winter
  • red alder (Alnus rubra) trunk / bark
description: 

This alder is widespread and based in Alaska, North America and Western Canada.

Tree profile

name botanical: 
Alnus rubra
other name: 
Oregon Alder
family: 
birch family (Betulaceae)
species: 
deciduous tree
height: 
up to 30 m (99 ft)
leaf: 

The leaves are ovate, pointed, and is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long. The leaf margin is serrated and the leaf arrangement is alternate.

leaf shape: 
ovoid
leaf margin: 
serrated
leaf position: 
alternate
fall foliage: 
yellow
flowering: 
March - April
blossom color: 
yellowish
blossom description: 

The male flowers (catkins) are strikingly long, the female flowers are often upright.

fruit: 

The cones become woody , first they are green and later dark brown to black.

branches: 

The branches are red-brown, the buds are reddish brown, narrow and pointed. The lateral buds stick out.

bark: 
The bark is smooth and reddish brown with lenticels and just slightly cracked with age.
root: 
heart-rooting to shallow-rooting, spreading roots
location: 
sun to half-shade
soil: 
sandy to loamy
usage: 

pioneer plant