Shade and Ornamental Trees: Alnus (Alder)

Alnus rubra

Red Alder is native to the Pacific Coast in woodlands and along streambanks. It is the most common hardwood in the Pacific Northwest. Fast growing deciduous tree providing fast screening and good erosion control or re-establishing of woodland areas. Mottled grey bark, turns bright, rusty-red (inner bark exposed to O2) when scraped. Aboriginal people used bark as a dye. Best wood for smoking salmon! It is a pioneer species: first to grow after burn or clear cut. Nitrogen-fixer: alder puts n back in the soil.