Common Alder

Common Alder Overview

Alnus glutinosa is a tough and fast-growing deciduous tree species from the Betulaceae family. Pendant catkins appear in late winter/early spring before it's sticky green leaves and brown woody, cone-like fruits in autumn. It is a fantastic provider of food and shelter to wildlife, with a number of insects, lichen and fungi being completely dependent on the tree. Commonly known by the names Common Alder, Alder and Black Alder. The leaves are rounded, with serrated edges, arranged alternately on stems. The bark and cones were once used for tanning leather and a decoction of the leaves was used in folk remedies. Timber from the tree has been used for underwater foundations and in the production of paper and fiber board.