Alnus subcordata
Caucasian alder
A fast-growing, medium-sized, conical tree with glossy, mid-green, broadly heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Fissured brown-grey bark provides all-year-round interest and it produces long, hanging male catkins and short, upright, female ones followed by woody fruit. Tolerates poor or wet soils
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | Black | ||
| Winter | Green | Black |
Position
- Full shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Alnus are vigorous deciduous trees and large shrubs with rounded leaves and often conspicuous catkins in winter
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Iran, Transcaucasus
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, but tolerates a range of conditions including poor drainage. Can make a fast-growing screen on wet sites
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to alder sucker, alder leaf beetle and leaf-mining sawflies
Diseases
May be susceptible to phytophthora root rots and honey fungus
Get involved
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