Siberian Alder Alnus hirsuta
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Alnus incana var. hirsuta
- Alnus incana var. sibirica
- Alnus inokumai
- Alnus sibirica
- Alnus tinctoria
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-nus her-SOO-tuh
- Description
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The Manchurian Alder is adeciduous tree in the birch family (Betulaceae and is native to Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Siberia, and the Russian Far East. The tree is typically found in 2500 to 5000 feet elevations near small rivers, bogs, springs, or wet places at the foot of mountains. The genus nameis Latin for Alder. The species' name is Latin for coarsely hairy.
The tree grows with a low rounded canopy to 30 to 60 feet tall with a 20 to 30-foot spread. It prefers full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained soils, tolerates poor soils and occasional standing water. The shallow roots form root suckers and produce colonies. It is the most drought-tolerant of all the alders.
It has dangling male catkins and shorter female catkins that appear in the spring before the leaves emerge. The leaves turn yellow in fall and the bark is smooth gray.
The Manchurian Alder is planted to improve soil, control erosion, and provide shade and shelter. The tree roots add nitrogen to the soil by forming a relationship with certain soil microorganisms. It can be used as a shade tree in yards and parks and in naturalized areas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Possible pests may include Ussuri Oyster Shell Scale, Asian Ambrosia Beetle, alder wooly saw fly and the Black and White Long Horn Beetle. No known significant diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
Given the Award of Garden Merit. Green-gold leaves, - 'Prairie Horizon'
'Prairie Horizon' is fairly tolerant of urban pollution, tolerates dry soil to standing water, and adaptable to different soils
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Prairie Horizon'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
Given the Award of Garden Merit. Green-gold leaves, - 'Prairie Horizon'
'Prairie Horizon' is fairly tolerant of urban pollution, tolerates dry soil to standing water, and adaptable to different soils
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Prairie Horizon'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alnus
- Species:
- hirsuta
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood may be used for building furniture or agricultural tools as well as for fuelwood or making charcoal. Both leaves and bark have potent astringent properties and are used medicinally.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Siberia, and Russian Far East
- Wildlife Value:
- Host to esveral species of Lepidoptera. Provides cover for wildlife, is browsed by deer and moose and the seeds are eaten by birds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Tough adaptable plant. Resistant to diseases, drought, dry or wet soil, and prevents erosion.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The female catkin develops small wood cones measuring 3/4 inches long by 1/2 inch wide. Inside the cones are winged seeds that are released in the fall when they have matured. The cones remain on the tree through the winter months and in the next growing season.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- The male catkins are 2-4 inches long, purple-brown in color, and droop below the tree branches. The female catkins are 5/8 inch long. The blooming period occurs in March and April before the leaves emerge.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The tree leaf is glossy green in color, ovate in shape with a rounded base, and has doubly toothed margins. It measures approximately 2.5 to 5 inches in length and nearly the same in width. The upper surface is slightly hairy. The underside of the leaf surface is downy and has a reddish-brown color along the midribs and veins. In the fall the leaves turn yellow During the winter the leaves may drop off or just wither on the tree.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray, smooth, and adds interest to the landscape.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The young shoots of the tree are hairy at first. The winter buds are egg-shaped, hairy, and purplish in color. The stem color is gray.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Wet Soil
