Did you know that alder trees thrive best in damp, low-quality soil? Or that substances in their bark have medicinal properties? Read on to learn more about these and other alder tree key facts.
Quick Facts About Alder Trees
| Family: | Betulaceae |
| Genus: | Alnus |
| Number of Species: | Around 30 |
| Description: | Short-lived, fast-growing deciduous trees. Alder trees have broad, oval-shaped leaves serrated at the edges; the leaves either turn brown or don’t change color before falling in the autumn. Bark ranges from smooth to scaly and color varies by species, from grayish brown to grayish white. Catkins appear in spring and are oblong and fuzzy (males) or small and rounded (females). Female catkins look like small cones and remain on the tree throughout the winter. |
| Distribution: | Europe, Asia, North America, parts of South America. |
| Habitat: | Cool, damp environments such as northern coastal areas, marshes, open grasslands, and near mountain streams and rivers. |
| Average Height: | Dependent on species: may range between 6 feet and more than 120 feet. |
| Average Lifespan: | Dependent on species; may range between 20 and 150 years. |
| Properties: | – The wood is hard and dense. – Wood is very strong and resistant to rot. – Seeds are edible, and a substance in the bark has medicinal properties. |
| Uses: | – Used to make boats and other structures meant to come in contact with water. – Strong wood is good for structural foundations and furniture. – Wood chips provide unique flavor when smoking meats. – Bark substances can be used to make cancer-fighting drugs and to treat other health conditions. |
What Is an Alder Tree?
Alder trees are closely related to birch trees, as they both belong to the same scientific family. There are several dozen species of alder trees, all belonging to the Alnus genus.
Alder trees grow primarily near bodies of water in cooler temperate regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They can also be found at elevations up to 8,200 feet in parts of South America.
The most notable physical feature of alder trees is their rounded female catkins, which mature into strobiles that look like small pine cones. These cones remain on the tree through the winter even after the leaves and male catkins have disappeared.
Alder trees produce hard, strong wood that becomes even stronger when it is waterlogged. It is highly rot-resistant and can be used for structural building, as well as for making boats and furniture.
Alder trees add up to two feet of growth per year. They grow fast but are generally short-lived; some species only live for 20 years, though others can live up to 150 years.
Unique Alder Tree Facts
- Alder trees have healing properties. Oils and other substances extracted from alder bark can be used to fight cancer, relieve nausea and diarrhea, treat skin conditions, and ease muscle aches.
- Red alders can be used to make dye. The inner bark of red alder trees makes a deep reddish-orange which can be used to color various fabrics and other objects, as seen below:
- Alder trees lock nitrogen in the soil. Alder trees grow well even in very poor-quality soil because of their unique nitrogen-locking ability. They do this by creating their own nitrogen and adding it to the soil, improving its quality over time.
Conclusion
Alder trees are members of the birch family that often live near rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. They have a variety of uses, including building, boatmaking, and health and wellness.