Smooth Alder Alnus serrulata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-nus ser-yoo-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Tag Alder is a small, deciduous tree that may grow 10 to 15 feet tall. It can be found naturally in wet areas including streambanks and bogs. The leaves are alternate with a wavy, toothed margin and hairy underside. The bark is smooth and gray-brown with a fluted appearance. In late winter, slim, green, male flowers and red, female flowers mature. The small tree produces a seed that matures in the fall and persists through the winter.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Canker can be severe on the Tag alder. 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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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alnus
- Species:
- serrulata
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern US
- Distribution:
- It is native to boggy ground along streams/lakes/rivers, wetland
- 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:
- Multi-stemmed
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- 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 winged nutlets (seeds). Fruiting cones mature to dark brown in fall, with persistence into winter. Cones have woody scales and resemble small pine cones. The fruit attracts butterfly larvae, mammals, and birds which feed on the seeds.
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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 the females are red catkins.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dull green 2-4" long serrulate margins pointed tips and wedge-shaped at the base.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Its trunks feature smooth gray bark with inconspicuous lenticels (pores).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Predatory Insects
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Drought
- Erosion
- Fire
- Foot Traffic
- Heat
- Wet Soil
