European white alder | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Birch
Family (botanic) Betulaceae
Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Wide median
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 40-60 feet
Mature width 20-40 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago)
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil, Wet soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional flooding, Wet sites
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Oval, Pyramidal
Growth rate Fast, Moderate
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations May be difficult to find in nurseries
Wildlife Large mammals, Small mammals, Songbirds
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

European white alder is native to Europe and commonly found in moist sites.

Bark color and texture:

Light gray bark is smooth and marked with elongated lenticels.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The oval leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and alternately arranged. The edges of the leaves are doubly-toothed. The upper leaf surface is dull green and the lower surface is grayish. Leaves have little color change in fall.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Male flowers hang in dangling catkins, are yellow-red, and bloom in early spring before leaves appear. Female flowers are small, pink, and egg-shaped.