12 Species of Alder Trees for Your Yard

Alder trees and shrubs (Alnus spp.) are members of the Betulaceae family, more commonly known as the birch family. These deciduous trees are moderate to fast-growing and will grow at a rate of about two feet per year.

The most notable features of all varieties of alder trees are their catkins and strobiles. Both male and female flowers (catkins) appear on the trees. The plant is wind-pollinated. When the female flowers are pollinated, they mature into small cones (called strobiles). Though most alder tree species are deciduous, these trees resist the brilliant autumn color change of most other deciduous species.

Alder Tree Identification and Characteristics

Alder trees as a genus can be fairly easily distinguished from similar trees by inspecting various features:

Leaves: Young alder tree leaves are sticky to the touch and are very shiny. Mature leaves will have a rounded shape with notched edges, not the pointed tips found on birch trees. The leaves tend to turn brown rather than vibrant yellow or red in the fall.
Flowers: Flowers on an alter tree are elongated catkins rather than blossoms. They appear in early spring. Male catkins are long and turn yellow with pollen. Female catkins are much shorter, purple in color, and gradually transform into cones containing seeds.
Bark: All species of alder tree have grayish, rough bark that develops fissures as the tree trunk expands. These trees lack the papery bark found in birches.
Habitat: Alders are naturally found in wetland areas and along rivers.

Benefits and Uses

Few trees offer more versatility than the alder. Adler trees are good for many uses, ranging from building structural foundations to making fine guitars to providing wood chips used to flavor smoked meats. The fruiting parts of the tree are edible, and substances within the bark have been shown to have anti-cancer properties.

Alders are also excellent hosts for many moth and butterfly larvae, and birds are attracted to the strobiles. The flowers attract pollinators, and the male flowers produce pollen profusely.

Growing Tips

Adler trees can fix nitrogen in the soil and grow in less-than-fertile areas. Plants with nitrogen fixation capabilities form symbiotic relationships with bacteria, allowing them to improve the soil on recently cleared land. This quality allows them to grow in landscaping areas where other plants may struggle.

They typically grow well in moist areas, such as along riverbanks, so keep them watered, especially during dry stretches. Though Adler trees grow well in a wide range of soils, they will perform best if planted in locations that receive full sun.

Types of Alder Trees

Spotting small differences within these features will help you identify specific species within the genus. Here are 12 common alder trees and shrubs for your landscaping needs.

01 of 12
Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa)

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The black alder gets its common name from the dark grey color of the bark in aged trees. Its Latin name, Alnus glutinosa, tips you off that this tree develops a gummy resin on new leaves and buds. Take note that this alder species can become invasive in some areas. If you prefer the look of leaves that are dissected (divided into many sections), look for the 'Laciniata' and 'Imperialis' cultivars.
- Native Area: Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
- Height: 40 to 60 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
02 of 12
Green Alder (Alnus viridis)

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The green alder is one of the smaller species and is a large shrub or small tree. Its shiny green leaves have a yellow hue. While most other alder trees flower before producing leaves, this variety sends out its leaves before the catkins appear.

There are several different subspecies of green alder found throughout the world, including: Alnus viridis subsp. crispa (sometimes seen as A. crispa), A. viridis subsp. fruticosa, A. viridis subsp. viridis, A. viridis subsp. maximowiczii (sometimes A. maximowiczii), A. viridis subsp. sinuata, (sometimes A. sinuata) and A. viridis subsp. suaveolens.
- Native Area: North America, Europe
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
- Height: 6 to 14 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
03 of 12
Gray Alder (Alnus incana)

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Also known as speckled alder or mountain alder, this species is commonly seen in the Rocky Mountains of North America. These alder trees have smooth, gray bark and the underside of the leaves also has a gray appearance. While most other alder trees produce yellow catkins, this tree has reddish-purple catkins that appear each spring.
- Native Area: Europe and North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 6
- Height: 20 to 35 feet
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
04 of 12
Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata)

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This species is either a shrub or a small tree. It tends to clone itself through suckers, forming a dense thicket of alders if left unchecked. The species name serrulata refers to the margins of the leaves, which are toothed. Also known as tag alder or swamp alder, these trees need consistently moist soil conditions and are most often found near a water source, like a river or stream. These alder trees are most prevalent in the eastern part of North America.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA zones: 4 to 9
- Height: 10 to 20 feet
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
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05 of 12
Italian Alder (Alnus cordata)

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Native to Mediterranean locations in southern Italy or off the coast of France, this stately tree and its rounded leaves are an attractive choice for landscaping. The species name cordata tips you off that this has cordate—or heart-shaped—leaves. It's a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society and grows well in poorly drained soil conditions. However, it also fares better in drier soil conditions than some other species of alder trees.
- Native Area: Corsica, Southern Italy
- USDA zones: 5 to 7
- Height: 30 to 50 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
06 of 12
Red Alder (Alnus rubra)

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If you are in the Pacific Northwest, the red alder is the hardwood that you are most likely to come across. For this reason, it's aptly known as the Pacific Coast alder or Oregon alder. You can identify this species from the others in the genus by the fact that the margins of the leaves curl under. The bark can be used to make different colors of natural dyes.

Fender has used red alder as the hardwood of choice for its electric guitars since the 1950s.
- Native Area: Pacific coast, southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Northern Idaho (in North America)
- USDA Zones: 4 to 7
- Height: 40 to 80 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
07 of 12
Seaside Alder (Alnus maritima)

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Also known as a beach alder, the name is a bit of a misnomer since these trees are found in northeastern coastal regions but never on the coast. It's worth pointing out that populations of seaside alders are also known to exist in Oklahoma, though the tree's native regions are Maryland, Delaware, and Georgia. Interestingly, the seaside alder blooms in the fall, while most of the other alder species produce flowers in the spring. An alternative Latin name for this species is Alnus metroporina. There are three different subspecies of the seaside alder: subsp. georgiensis, subsp. oklahomensis and subsp. maritima.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA zones: 4 to 7
- Height: 20 to 30 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
08 of 12
White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)

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The white alder grows at a fast pace to about 30 feet in height, before slowly creeping towards its full maturation of 50 feet. Some of the tallest specimens of this species have been known to reach 100 feet. The tree gets its common name from its bark color, which ranges from white to gray. It's a good choice if you have a soggy spot in your yard or garden and it has deep green leaves with a fresh fragrance.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Zones: 8 to 11
- Height: 30 to 50 feet
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
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09 of 12
Japanese Alder (Alnus japonica)

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Japanese alder trees are native to Japan. Korea, and parts of China. This small variety of alder grows quickly to a mature height of 12 to 25 feet. It features a dense canopy of slender, oval-shaped green leaves. Usually deciduous, in some climate zones Japanese alder is evergreen in nature. Like other alder specimens, it does well in nutrient-deprived soil or wet conditions.
- Native Area: Asia
- USDA Zones: 5 to 7
- Height: 40 to 60 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
10 of 12
Mexican Alder (Alnus jorullensis)

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The Mexican alder is an evergreen or semi-evergreen tree or shrub, often used for ornamental landscaping. Its most eye-catching feature is its vivid green leaves with deeply serrated edges. These trees can develop an invasive root system, so choose a planting location where the roots won't interfere with plumbing or structural aspects of your home. Check with your local extension office to make sure it's not classified as an invasive species in your area.
- Native Area: Central America: Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico
- USDA Zones: 7 to 12
- Height: 65 to 80 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
11 of 12
Oriental Alder (Alnus orientalis)

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For a fast-growing shade tree, consider the Oriental alder. This variety, also known as the Syrian alder, reaches its mature height of 25 to 50 feet in as little as a decade. The wedge-shaped leaves are dark green, glossy, and feature a small-toothed margin. Don't confuse this tree with the Japanese alder; the orientalis variety hails from the coastal Mediterranean region of Turkey.
- Native Area: Cyprus, Iran, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Turkey
- USDA Zones: 7 to 9
- Height: 25 to 50 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
12 of 12
Himalayan Alder (Alnus nitida)

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The Himalayan alder is native to the Himalayan mountains and Pakistan. This tree is known for its useful applications, including providing dye or hardwood for furniture-making. The bark is also said to have anti-inflammatory properties and a variety of herbal remedies exist using this and other alder species.
- Native Area: Pakistan, western Himalayas, Nepal
- USDA Zones: 7 to 10
- Height: 65 to 80 feet
- Exposure: Full to part sun

The alder tree family includes smaller shrubs and towering trees. Regardless of the size and species you select, these trees are sure to thrive in wet, soggy soil that might be a challenge for other species. If you're looking for other fast-growing shade trees, consider maple or elm trees.

FAQ

Where do alder trees grow in the U.S.?

Adler trees grow along streams, lakes, and ponds throughout the United States but are most often found in the Northwest, in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Is an alder tree a good landscape tree?

Adler trees are okay for planting near native rain gardens but are not very appealing when planted in other areas. They tend to be messy and unsightly, which makes people look towards other species for their landscape needs.
Do deer eat alder trees?

Though not a deer's first food choice, a starving deer will eat an adler tree to meet its nutritional needs, often consuming bark, twigs, and leaves.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Ren X., He T., Chang Y., Zhao Y., Chen X., Bai S., Wang L., Shen M., She G. The Genus Alnus, a Comprehensive Outline of Its Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities. Molecules. 2017;22:1383. doi: 10.3390/molecules22081383
Black Alder. University of Minnesota
Alnus cordata | italian alder/rhs gardening.