Alnus incana (Grey Alder)
Availability
Bareroot from November to April
TreesandHedging.co.uk
If your preference is to buy online, you can purchase these plants in cell grown form from our webshop.
We recommend
Rootgrow
Boost growth & increase survival rates
Non-trade pricing
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Price £ each (ex. VAT) | |||||
| Height | Age | 1+ | 25+ | 100+ | 500+ | 1000+ |
| 60-80cm | 1+1 | 0.84 | 0.54 | 0.48 | 0.46 | 0.42 |
| 80-100cm | 1+1 | 0.91 | 0.59 | 0.53 | 0.50 | 0.45 |
Trade / wholesale enquiries
Discounted trade / wholesale prices are available upon request.
Please contact the office for a quotation or a trade price list.
Minimum order values
Please note that there is a minimum order value of £50.00 + VAT, excluding delivery, for existing customers and £75.00 + VAT, excluding delivery, for new customers. Orders under those values can be placed via Trees & Hedging, our online webshop.
Delivery
Delivery to UK mainland is included for stock orders over £750 + VAT (subject to postcode surcharges). For full details on delivery, please view our delivery page.
Description
Native to Europe and the Caucasus, the Grey Alder was introduced to Britain around 200 years ago. A fast growing deciduous tree, it does well even on very dry soils, is often used to reclaim derelict land and spoil heaps, and in the wild it can be found in habitats as diverse as rocky mountain slopes and boggy riversides. The smooth, dark grey bark makes it an attractive choice for planting.
Site and soil
Although tolerant of a wide range of soils, the Grey Alder is especially good on dry, infertile soils where little else will grow. It does, however, need good light to do well.
Height and spread
After 10 years: 9m x 6m
After 20 years: 20m x 10m
Leaf and bark
The leaves are ovate and sharply pointed, dark green and shiny, grey beneath and densely hairy. The bark is a distinctive smooth dark grey.
Flower, seed and fruit
Clusters of 3 or 4 yellow-brown catkins appear in late February, developing into hard green fruits in summer. The woody ‘cones’ remain on the tree over winter.
Uses
Alder makes an attractive specimen tree and can be used for windbreaks, hedging and screening. It plays an important role in the reclamation of derelict land.
Wildlife
The catkins of Grey Alder are an early source of pollen for insects, and the ‘cones’ provide food for birds in winter. Its ability to grow well on the poorest of soils – even on spoil heaps – where the nitrogen-fixing nodules on its roots improve the fertility of the soil, makes it invaluable for reclaiming derelict land.
Pruning
Grey Alder hedges should be pruned in July and August.
