Tree Plaques In The Park
Key Identifying Characteristics
Typically found near water, such as creeks and streams. Red alder has distinctive catkins in the spring.
Height / Size
Grows between 50 to 98 feet tall.
Leaves or Needles
Leaves are 3 to 6 inches with double serrated edges and pointed tips, and prominent veins.
Bark / Trunk
Mottled, ash gray and patchy looking. Given that the tree is found near water, the bark will have moss.
Flower
Long male catkins release pollen in the winter and the spring. Female flowers bloom from February to March.
Fruit / Seed / Cone
Tiny seeds form in female cone-like structures. In the fall seeds are dispersed by the wind.
Habitat
Thrives in full sun along streams and rivers, stabilizing banks and adding nitrogen to the soil.
Location / Range
Brooks Creek, Old Trout Farm, and Weiler Ranch Road trails.
Southeastern Alaska to central coastal California.
Lifespan
Matures at 60 to 70 years old and seldom lives beyond 100 years.
Native / Non-native
Native to Western North America.
Fascinating / Fun Facts
The red alder is the only tree in the birch family that reaches commercial size and abundance. It is also the most common and economically important species in the Pacific Northwest for a variety of commercial uses. Red alders have been used for dye, medicine, wood working, and environmental restoration.