ALDER - Alnus glutinosa: [ 20 & 73 ]
Grows to 20m with dark bark often covered in lichen. Dark green racket shaped leaves are 3 to 9 cm long with serrated edges. The long, dangling male catkins appear in spring. Female catkins grow in summer as small green knots which dry as they develop, turning black before the tiny fruits fall out. Seeds are eaten by siskins and greenfinches and some moths live on alders. The wood can be used for plywood.
Grows to 20m with dark bark often covered in lichen. Dark green racket shaped leaves are 3 to 9 cm long with serrated edges. The long, dangling male catkins appear in spring. Female catkins grow in summer as small green knots which dry as they develop, turning black before the tiny fruits fall out. Seeds are eaten by siskins and greenfinches and some moths live on alders. The wood can be used for plywood.