Red alder
Alnus rubra 路 Betulaceae 路 also Oregon alder, Western alder
The largest North American alder and the Northwest's main hardwood: a fast, straight tree with smooth mottled gray bark (often painted with white lichen), serrated leaves with rolled-under edges that drop green, reddish catkins in late winter and small woody cones that hang on all winter. Root nodules fix nitrogen, so it rebuilds poor and disturbed soils and is widely used for streambank and mine-site restoration. It is short-lived and heart rot sets in after about 60 years.
Where it stands
Native
- 馃嚚馃嚘 BC, Canadasource
- 馃嚚馃嚘 YT, Canadasource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 AK, United States 路 Southeast Alaska.source
- 馃嚭馃嚫 CA, United States 路 Coast south to central California.source
- 馃嚭馃嚫 ID, United States 路 Inland pockets.source
- 馃嚭馃嚫 MT, United States 路 Northernmost Montana.source
- 馃嚭馃嚫 OR, United Statessource
- 馃嚭馃嚫 WA, United Statessource
Care
Plant in full sun or part shade in moist soil; it tolerates flooding and some drought once established. Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead wood in dormancy. Tent caterpillars, alder flea beetle and sawflies defoliate but rarely kill; avoid wounding the trunk, which lets heart rot in.
Benefits
Good for