Common Alder
Alnus glutinosa
Betulaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Height
65 ft
Spread
32 ft
Growth Rate
Fast
Size at 20 yr
40 ft
Lifespan
Moderate
Site Requirements
Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Wet Tolerant
Soil pH
4.4-7.2
Water
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Medium
Hardiness
Zones 4a–8b
Ornamental Interest
Bloom Time
March
Fall Color
Brown, insignificant
Origin
Europe to the Caucasus and Siberia
Watch for this season
Powdery MildewHigh
Active Conidial Spread
RustHigh
Uredinial Stage (Summer)
AphidHigh
Peak Population & Dispersal
Fall webwormHigh
Larval Feeding & Web Building
+ 3 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (11)
Armillaria spp. — primarily A Armillaria Root Rot Brown Leaf Blotch [VERIFY] Canker and Stem Diseases Viral agents Catkin Hypertrophy and Leaf Curl Collar Rot Lonsdalea quercina subsp Drippy Dieback Symptom category — not a single disease Leaf Spot Neonectria ditissima Nectria Canker Phytophthora spp. (P Phytophthora Root Rot Multiple obligate biotrophic fungi (Erysiphales: Erysipha... Powdery Mildew Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust
Pests: Regionally Documented (7)
Phenological Calendar
View full calendar (8 stages)
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| Bud break BBCH 07 | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Leaf emergence BBCH 11 | Mar 1-Apr 1 |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | Apr 1-Apr 30 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | Apr 15-May 15 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
| Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85 | Sep 1-Nov 30 |
| Leaf drop BBCH 93 | Oct 15-Nov 30 |
| Dormancy BBCH 97 | Nov 15-Feb 28 |
Cultivars (2)
'Imperialis'
Common name: Imperialis Black Alder; Mature height: 30 ft
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
'Laciniata'
Common name: Cutleaf Alder Cutleaf Black Alder
Hardy to USDA Zone 4
Data Maturity Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.