25 November 2012
Natural range and habitat: From Canada to Texas throughout the eastern U.S. headed west to Kansas. Found in moist soil near streams, pond margins and riversides, hazel alder (sometimes called tag alder) can tolerate full to part sun.
Biocultural value: Alders are important stream or pond bank stabilizers and restorers. As streamside plants, they have extensive root systems that also fix nitrogen and form highly specific mycorrhizal relationships. Despite this critical role in soil and nutrient stabilization (not to mention contributing to the rhizosphere of other nearby organisms), many people remove them from the edges of waterways. Used by Native American tribes throughout its range as a blood tonic, hazel alder has been used to relieve the pain of childbirth, as an emetic or purgative and much more. Cercopids (members of the froghopper family of insects) feed on the xylem of alders.
How to use: This is an excellent plant for use in rain gardens of some size. Consider planting alders near downspouts around your home, though be careful not to plant too close to the house. Hazel alder can grow 12' tall with a wider colonial spread. Alternately, consider planting near ditch lines. In this way, they can function in a manner similar to that in natural ecosystems. Since this is one of the first plants to bloom in the year, it will add color and interest to your landscape, though don't expect a huge show. You will notice the drooping catkins filled with pollen and the older female catkins in the fall/winter of the year. This picture show the small young female catkins (later with pinkish blooming female flowers) with male pollen-bearing catkins just below.
Tips for growing: A few nurseries are beginning to sell hazel alder. You may need to look around a little. See my ideas about where to find those here. Since it often grows on the water's edge, hazel alder can take full sun in your garden.
Hazel alder Alnus serrulata (Aiton) Willd. Betulaceae
Tag alder (this name truly is more commonly used in my part of the country), is a member of the Betulaceae or birch family. Alnus is simply Latin for alder. Serrulata, as you might expect, is 'small toothed'.
I most often see tag alder during winter hikes. When mature and filled with pollen, the catkins droop from the plant like some lovely holiday decoration. The tree provides excellent cover for birds near waterways. In particular, wood cocks have been noted as using the cover for camouflage. I doubt this means that only wood cocks use the shrub as a cover. It more likely means that since these birds were highly studied as a game species, we know more about their movements. I only came to know of their value as a game species through an emeritus faculty on campus who had experience with them. My grandfather left me (via my mom) a wonderful painting of a wood cock, from a friend of his who illustrated for sportsman's magazines. Finally, the painting made sense and I've spent far too many hours in fields during the spring listening for their unusual call.