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
