Red Alder (Alnus rubra) is a beneficial native hardwood. Often found as one of the earliest tree species to come in after a disturbance, Red Alders help improve soil conditions by fixing nitrogen. The tree is fast growing and tends to grow up around 50 feet and live between 50-75 years old. It is often confused with Paper Birch, but the Red Alder leaves tend to be rounder and less spade shaped, and the Red Alder contains both cones and catkins on the same tree.
Classification: Perennial Key Characteristics: Toothed leaves, grey bark sometimes with white patches of lichens at maturity, cones and catkins on the same tree Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade Water Requirements: Moist soil, drought tolerant Ease of Growing: High Growth Rate: Moderate Bloom Time: February – March Spreads: No Benefits: Wildlife, Rain garden, Pollinators, Beneficial insects, Wildfire resistant, Riparian zones, On Portland Plant List, Hummingbirds Edible: No Mature Height: 40-80 feet Mature Width: 40-50 feet
