Alnus incana – Grey alder

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Betulaceae

Alnus incana – Grey alder

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Widely dispersed in Europe into the Caucasus, but not native to Great Britain. Big shrub to multiple-stemmed tree with a compact, irregular crown. The trunk and the young twigs are grey. In contrast with A. glutinosa, A. incana has no sticky parts. The alternate green leaves are ovate and acute-pointed, they have serrated margins and hairy to velvety undersides. Buds are short stalked. The inflorescence with ± 0.5 cm female catkins and ± 7 cm purplish male catkins with yellow pollen, is inconspicuous. The grey brown strobiles appear in September and decorate the tree all winter. A. incana roots fairly deep, but shallower than A. glutinosa and is used in forestry as a producer of nitrogen. Intolerant to hard surfaces.
Our trees can only be planted when they don't have any leaves. Due to the this we will start delivering again from November 2024.
Availability
Clear stem (5) Multi-stem (1)
Size
Root ball size
Packaging
Amount
Delivery period
300/350 multistem
Wire rootballed
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Root ball size
Packaging
Wire rootballed
Delivery period
Available from november! Pre-order now!
Stock
Available
Specifications
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Height
12 - 18 (20) m, fast growing
Crown
ovate, half-open crown
Bark and branches
grey and smooth, twigs grey brown
Leaf
wide ovate, green, 5 - 10 cm
Flowers
catkins, ♂ and ♀ , purplish, February/March
Fruits
ovoid strobiles, grey brown, 1 - 1.5 cm
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
calcicole, tolerates dry soils
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil, withstand short flood, withstand long flood
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
3 (-40,0 to -24,5 °C)
Wind resistance
good, susceptible to sea wind
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind, resistant to de-icing salt
Application
industrial areas
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Europe, West Asia, North America
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree calcareous soil clay soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates no paving light-loving resistant to de-icing salt resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for dry soil withstand long flood withstand short flood can withstand wind ovoid/egg-shaped 1st size , taller than 12 metres half-open crown green violet February fast growing Conspicuous bloom non-toxic (usually) Ornamental fruit
Frequently asked questions
Alnus incana

Alnus incana can eventually reach a height of 12 - 18 (20) m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Alnus incana is fast growing and can eventually reach a height of 12 - 18 (20) m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The right time to plant Alnus incana is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Alnus incana with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Alnus incana blooms in february.
General