Hazel alder is a thicket-forming large shrub or small tree in the birch family (Betulaceae), native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Texas. It is found along streambanks, riverside and swamps. The Genus name originates from alnus, which is an old name for alder. The specific epithet refers to the finely-toothed leaf margins. Hazel alder will grow 10 to 15 feet tall and wide and requires full sun to partial shade in moist to wet soils with a neutral pH. Propagation is from root cuttings and seed. The tree has both male and female flowers that appear in the spring. Female flowers are followed by a cone-like fruit with nutlets that are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife. The tree is a host plant to the harvester butterfly. Hazel alder has been used as a stabilizer and restorer of areas around streams, ponds, and bogs. It could be used in naturalized areas with wet soils. Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Canker can be severe. Powdery mildew and leaf curl may also appear. Watch for aphids, leaf miners, tent caterpillars, lace bugs and flea beetles. Chlorosis will occur in high pH soils. This plant is highly susceptible to damage from deer.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Orange
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate; Undulate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green ovate leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2.5 inches wide. The underside is a lighter green and has hairs. Margins are finely serrated and veins are prominent.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Catkin
Flower detail
In late spring, this monoecious tree bears separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are yellow-brown and 1.5 to 2.5 inches long. The females are reddish and 1/2 inch long.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit detail
Female catkins develop into 1-inch long fruiting cones (strobiles) to 3/4” long containing nutlets (seeds). Fruiting cones mature to a dark brown in fall and persist into winter. Cones have woody scales and resemble small pine cones.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Its trunks feature smooth brownish-gray bark with inconspicuous lenticels (pores).
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The twigs are reddish-brown and have a three-angled-pith. Young twigs are covered with hairs.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern US
Wildlife value
This plant supports Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) larvae which appear from February-September in the south. The Harvester butterfly does not sip flower nectar but they do feed on aphid honeydew. Harvester butterfly and carnivorous larvae eat the aphids commonly found on alder. White-tailed deer browse the foliage. Birds and small mammals eat the pollen-rich male flower clusters in the spring.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Songbirds
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Nut
Uses (ethnobotany)
Native Americans made tea from the bark to treat a variety of ailments.An extract from the bark was used as an orange dye.