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Tag Alder Alnus serrulata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
AL-nus ser-yoo-LAY-tuh
Description

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:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#native tree#winter interest#erosion control#pond margins#small mammals#moist soil#fire low flammability#NC native#naturalizes#pollinator plant#larval host plant#predatory insects#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#harvester butterfly#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#native tree#winter interest#erosion control#pond margins#small mammals#moist soil#fire low flammability#NC native#naturalizes#pollinator plant#larval host plant#predatory insects#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#harvester butterfly#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Its trunks feature smooth gray bark with inconspicuous lenticels (pores).
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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