Common Alder, European Alder, Black Alder

This European tree, also in west Asia and north Africa, has naturalized along water courses in the Chicago, IL, area in many places and i...Read Mores occassionally planted in landscapes in regular well-drained soil. A good number of larger nurseries sell it in the area. I've seen it also naturalize along water courses in southeast PA, though it is not nearly as widespread as in ne IL, and in one spot in southern Delaware. It makes a good small or medium sized ornamental tree in landscapes. Its bark is smooth, shiny, and brown for a long time. Its big catkins bloom yellowish in early spring and its woody cone fruit is interesting in the winter. It does not have any autumn color.