Speckled alder | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Birch
Family (botanic) Betulaceae
Planting site Residential and parks, Under utility lines
Tree or plant type Tree, Shrub
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet)
Mature height 15-25 feet
Mature width 15-25 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago)
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil, Wet soil
Tolerances clay soil, Dry sites, Occasional flooding, Wet sites
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Multi-stemmed
Growth rate Fast, Moderate
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations May be difficult to find in nurseries
Wildlife Browsers, Small mammals, Songbirds
Has cultivars Yes

Size and form:

Speckled alder grows 15 to 25 feet tall and wide.

Native geographic location and habitat:

It is native to Canada and northeastern United States, including Illinois. C-Value: 8

Attracts birds & butterflies:

Browsers, small mammals, and songbirds find it interesting.

Leaf description:

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

Flower description:

Flowers are monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers are produced on the same tree. Male flowers appear in dangling catkins and are yellow-red in early spring before leaves appear while female flowers are small, pink, and egg-shaped.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

The fruit are cone-like structures composed of winged seeds. In the fall they change to reddish-brown and add winter interest for both humans and birds.