Common Alder

Alnus glutinosa

This tree will grow to around 70ft (20m).

Thriving in moist to wet ground it is a common inhabitant of riverbanks, low lying areas or upland areas with high rainfall. The leaves are slow to decay if they fall into water and as such the trees should not be planted too close to riverbanks.

Nodules on the roots which contain bacteria that fix nitrogen make it a valuable species for enriching poor ground.