Black Alder Tree Info
There are many interesting black alder facts that landscapers and gardeners should know. Black alders grow up to 50 feet (15 m.) tall. Plant them with about 10 feet (3 m.) of space around them. They can thrive in waterlogged soils, but also have the ability to tolerate fairly dry conditions. They prefer loamy or sandy soil but are also salt tolerant. Black alder leaves are ridged, smooth, and glossy with jagged edges. Their bark is smooth and gray and is especially attractive in winter when it stands out against the snow. The trees have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air and increase soil fertility through their root nodules. Alder trees are valuable in landscape restoration projects where the soil has been disturbed or degraded. Black alders in the landscape are terrific habitat trees. They stay green into the fall months and produce small cones called strobile, that stay on the tree through fall and winter, even after the leaves are gone. The cones result from the tree’s female flowers, and they feed a range of wildlife through the winter, including butterflies, mice, turtles, birds, and deer.
Planting Black Alder in the Landscape
So where do black alder trees grow? They grow especially well in moist soils, by waterways, and in boggy woodlands in the Midwest and on the East Coast. They’re known for their tolerance for poor soil. But be careful when you put black alder into the landscape. The trees spread readily and are considered invasive in some states. Be sure to check with your local nursery or university extension agent before you plant black alders. They are so vigorous that their aggressive roots can lift sidewalks and invade sewer lines. For a managed landscape, they may not be the best choice. Black alders can contract fungal pathogens and are susceptible to woolly aphids.
Black Alder Uses
The pyramid shape of young alders eventually changes to a rounded or oval shape as they grow, but the density of their leaves can make them ideal for screening and privacy. European black alder is often used to control erosion. The wood of alder trees is useful for timber, fiber, and particle board among other things. It’s also used for fuel. There is some indication that alder bark and leaves are medicinal. As a folk remedy, it is said they can aid in treating bleeding, sore throat, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer. Black alder tea has been used as a gargle for strep throat.
