Alternate name: Green Alder

Family: Betulaceae, Birch view all from this family

Description A shrub to 9 ft., diminishing in mature height with greater altitude. Pendant, yellow-green male catkins appear before the oval, alternate leaves are fully out. Cone-like female flowers remain on the shrub all winter.

Habitat Bogs; shores; cold woods; balds.

Range Labrador to Alaska, south to New England mountains, n. New York, n. Michigan, n. Minnesota, Manitoba and n.w. Wyoming; rarely in mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Discussion Alders fix nitrogen and thus serve as nutrient-giving pioneers in reclamation projects.

Comments Alders fix nitrogen and thus serve as nutrient-giving pioneers in reclamation projects.

Exposure Preference Partial sun.

Native Distribution Labrador to Alaska, s. to New England mts., n. New York, n. Michigan, n. Minnesota, Manitoba & n.w. Wyoming; rarely in mts. of Tennessee & North Carolina

Site Preference Bogs; shores; cold woods; balds

Soil Preference Rocky soils