Grey Alder Tree (Alnus Incana)

The Grey Alder tree (Alnus Incana) is a fast-growing deciduous broadleaf alder tree native to Europe and widely planted across Britain for its resilience and ecological value. Reaching up to 20 metres in height with a conical upright habit, Grey Alder trees perform well in wet, cold conditions and tolerate a full range of soil types. Distinctive shiny oval leaves and yellow-brown catkins appear in February, making it one of the earliest flowering alder trees of the year and an important early pollen source for pollinators. With a unique capacity to fix nitrogen, Grey Alder actively improves soil fertility wherever it establishes.

Often planted to create shelter from wind, Grey Alder trees are well suited to medium to large gardens, coastal sites, and exposed locations where a hardy, low-maintenance tree is required.

Safe to plant near livestock and well suited to agricultural and agroforestry settings, Grey Alder trees are a practical and ecologically beneficial choice for farm woodland and conservation planting.

Tree Attributes:

Tends to develop as a multi-stemmed tree
Suitable for wet areas