September Tree of the Month-Alder
And the winner for the cutest cone category is … the Alder tree!
Face it, the cones are cute. And if you are into fall or holiday crafts, this is your new favorite tree.
Alder trees (Alnus spp.) are not commonly found in the industry but can be found in several local parks and in their native habitat near streams and other moist areas. Our native alder, Alnus serrulata, is found throughout most of the southern and central parts of the state, where it can colonize and help with erosion along water banks. Because of this, alder is commonly used by beavers in dam construction. They are also beneficial to other wildlife who eat the buds, catkins and seeds, and as great cover for native birds like the woodcock.
Another benefit of Alnus is its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil by absorbing atmospheric nitrogen and making it available to neighboring plants. This makes it a great candidate for poor soils. The bark also has medicinal qualities when used in teas and extracts.
Most alders grow 10- 20’ with a rounded habit in the open, more slender and irregular-shaped in the wild. Full sun to part shade is preferred, and moisture is a must. Their adaptability to various conditions makes them a great choice for your garden.
Alders do not have showy flowers in the traditional sense. Instead, showy male and female catkins appear in early spring, eventually turning into adorable seed cones. The old cones persist on the tree throughout the year.
Several cultivars of European alder (A. glutinosa) might be spotted in arboretums or botanical gardens, but they are rarely found in the US trade.
What I like about this plant:
-It’s native!
-Adorable cones.
-It doesn’t get too big.
-Will tolerate wet areas and poor soils.
-Interesting catkins.
-Can fix nitrogen.
What’s not so great;
-The shape can be irregular.
-The prolific cones can be messy but are small enough to mow over.
-Can be prone to powdery mildew, canker, or leaf curl. Pests include aphids, leaf miner, and tent caterpillars.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2024, All rights reserved.
