The Black Alder Tree
Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) the C ommon Alder , European Alder native to most of Europe , southwest Asia and northern Africa . It thrives in wet locations. And this hearty tree can also can grow in poor quality soils. It is a fast-growing tree (3 feet per year) and grows to a height of up to 100 ft. It has short-stalked rounded leaves and separate male and female flower in the form of catkins. The small, rounded fruits are cone-like and the seeds are dispersed by wind and water. The common alder provides food and shelter to wildlife. The bark of young trees is smooth, glossy and greenish-brown while in older trees it is dark grey and fissured. The leaves of the common alder are short-stalked, rounded, up to 4 inches long with a slightly wedge-shaped base and a wavy, serrated margin. They have a glossy dark green upper surface and paler green underside with rusty-brown hairs in the angles of the veins. As with some other trees
