speckled alder - Alnus incana

Common Name: speckled alder

Scientific Name: 
Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Alnus
Species: incana

Hardiness Zone: 2 to 6
Height: 15 to 25 ft
Width: 15 to 25 ft

Description:
​​​​This tree can be found along many lakes in Northern Minnesota but is seen in the urban setting as well. As a smaller tree, it is a good choice to plant in areas with less room to grow. Speckled alder is easily distinguished by the cone-like nutlets and speckled lenticels on the bark of the tree. It does well in wetter sites and has a symbiotic relationship with fungi in its roots that converts nitrogen gas to nitrogen that plants can use. This is not only beneficial to the tree, but to the plants around it.There are a number of incana subspecies (i.e. rugosa, incana, hirsuta, etc).