Alder – the under-rated tree?

We may be used to seeing the lines of medium sized trees that sit, sometimes precariously, along river banks. They love the wet environment and are rarely seen in our parks and gardens as specimens. However, the alder, when given space to grow, can turn into an attractive specimen tree, as seen here in our conservation pond. It also puts out its yellow catkins very early in the year which may appear to persist for some weeks since individual trees vary in their timing considerably. It relies on wind for pollination and not insects.

When sectioned as shown it is an attractive bright orange. In winter, groups of Alders are also a very good place to find foraging flocks of Siskins and Goldfinches.  The Alder puts out plenty of root suckers too and so readily replaces the parent plant, which may be swept away by a river in flood. A tree perfectly adapted for a flooded environment, so maybe this winter it is especially worthy of note!