Alder Alnus serrulata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Alnus noveboracensis
- Alnus rubra
- Alnus rugosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-nus ser-yoo-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Hazel alder is a thicket-forming large shrub or small tree in the birch family (Betulaceae), native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Texas. It is found along streambanks, riverside and swamps. The Genus name originates from alnus, which is an old name for alder. The specific epithet refers to the finely-toothed leaf margins.
Hazel alder will grow 10 to 15 feet tall and wide and requires full sun to partial shade in moist to wet soils with a neutral pH. Propagation is from root cuttings and seed.
The tree has both male and female flowers that appear in the spring. Female flowers are followed by a cone-like fruit with nutlets that are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife. The tree is a host plant to the harvester butterfly.
Hazel alder has been used as a stabilizer and restorer of areas around streams, ponds, and bogs. It could be used in naturalized areas with wet soils.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Canker can be severe. Powdery mildew and leaf curl may also appear. Watch for aphids, leaf miners, tent caterpillars, lace bugs and flea beetles. Chlorosis will occur in high pH soils. This plant is highly susceptible to damage from deer.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alnus
- Species:
- serrulata
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans made tea from the bark to treat a variety of ailments.An extract from the bark was used as an orange dye.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern US
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) larvae which appear from February-September in the south. The Harvester butterfly does not sip flower nectar but they do feed on aphid honeydew. Harvester butterfly and carnivorous larvae eat the aphids commonly found on alder. White-tailed deer browse the foliage. Birds and small mammals eat the pollen-rich male flower clusters in the spring.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to fire in landscape
- Climbing Method:
- Clinging
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Female catkins develop into 1-inch long fruiting cones (strobiles) to 3/4” long containing nutlets (seeds). Fruiting cones mature to a dark brown in fall and persist into winter. Cones have woody scales and resemble small pine cones.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- In late spring, this monoecious tree bears separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are yellow-brown and 1.5 to 2.5 inches long. The females are reddish and 1/2 inch long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Green ovate leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2.5 inches wide. The underside is a lighter green and has hairs. Margins are finely serrated and veins are prominent.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Its trunks feature smooth brownish-gray bark with inconspicuous lenticels (pores).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The twigs are reddish-brown and have a three-angled-pith. Young twigs are covered with hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Erosion
- Fire
- Foot Traffic
- Heat
- Wet Soil
