Speckled alder

The speckled alder, Alnus incana subsp. rugosa (formerly Alnus rugosa), is a shrub or small tree native to much of Canada, including Quebec. It is a very ecologically useful species and particularly adapted to wet ground. Description Height: generally 3 to 10 meters. Width: 2 to 6 meters. Habit: often multi-trunked, upright, and irregular. Growth: rapid. Its name comes from the slightly rough texture of its leaves, especially on their underside. Foliage Oval to elliptical leaves. Dark green on top. Underside paler and slightly fuzzy. Subtle autumn color, generally yellow. It is not a species sought after for its autumn colors, but rather for its robustness and ecological interest. Flowering and fruits Like other alders: It produces elongated male catkins that appear before the leaves in spring. Female flowers become small, woody, dark brown cones that often persist throughout winter. These cones are quite decorative and allow the species to be identified even in winter. A champion of wet soils Speckled alder excels where many other trees fail: Stream banks. Ditches. Swamps. Poorly drained areas. Areas subject to temporary flooding. It even tolerates poor and acidic soils. A plant that enriches the soil Like several alder species, it lives in symbiosis with bacteria of the genus Frankia that fix atmospheric nitrogen. Result: it naturally enriches the soil with nitrogen; it gradually improves degraded land; it promotes the establishment of other plants. This is a rather rare characteristic among the trees in our regions. Interest for wildlife Speckled alder is very valuable for biodiversity: The seeds feed several granivorous birds. The catkins provide an early source of pollen. Dense stands offer shelter and protection to many animals. Its roots help stabilize banks and limit erosion. Hardiness Zone 2 to 6. Extremely hardy. Perfectly adapted to Shawinigan and the entire Mauricie region. Use in the garden It is rarely used as a classic ornamental tree, but it is excellent for: naturalistic gardens; ecological restoration projects; riparian strips; difficult wet areas; natural windbreaks.