Plant Details

Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]

Scientific Name:	Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]
Genus:	Alnus
Species Epithet:	serrulata
Common Name:	Tag Alder, Hazel Alder, Common Alder, Smooth Alder
Plant Type	Tree
Plant Family	Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	12-36 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Red, Yellow, Brown
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist
Bloom Time:	Feb, March
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Streambanks, bogs, wet thickets
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Recommended and Available
Summer leaves and fruit Jack Spruill, Hampstead, July 2010 Alders are nitrogen-fixing and can be used to reclaim barren ground. Although they can become small trees, Tag Alders are most often shrubs.
Male Catkins with the small female flowers above. Both the male catkins and the female flowers form in fall and open very early in spring, mostly before the leaves come out. Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Jan, 2009
Cone-like fruits Fruits persist in winter and, along with the persistent catkins, make a good ID mark. Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Feb. 2009
Catkins in the snow I think it is exciting to see early blooming plants buck the season and bloom in Jan and Feb - Jack Spruill Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Feb 13, 2010
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Bird-Friendly Native Plants