Alnus incana Grey alder

Betulaceae

Alnus incana Grey alder

Widely dispersed in Europe into the Caucasus, but not native to Great Britain. Big shrub to multiple-stemmed tree with a compact, irregular crown. The trunk and the young twigs are grey. In contrast with A. glutinosa, A. incana has no sticky parts. The alternate green leaves are ovate and acute-pointed, they have serrated margins and hairy to velvety undersides. Buds are short stalked. The inflorescence with ± 0.5 cm female catkins and ± 7 cm purplish male catkins with yellow pollen, is inconspicuous. The grey brown strobiles appear in September and decorate the tree all winter. A. incana roots fairly deep, but shallower than A. glutinosa and is used in forestry as a producer of nitrogen. Intolerant to hard surfaces.
Our trees can only be planted when they don't have any leaves. Due to the this we will start delivering again from November 2025.
Availability
Specifications
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Height
12 - 18 (20) m, fast growing
Width
6-10m
Crown
ovate, half-open crown
Bark and branches
grey and smooth, twigs grey brown
Leaf
wide ovate, green, 5 - 10 cm
Flowers
catkins, ♂ and ♀ , purplish, February/March
Fruits
ovoid strobiles, grey brown, 1 - 1.5 cm
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
calcicole, tolerates dry soils
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil, withstand short flood, withstand long flood
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
3 (-40,0 to -24,5 °C)
Wind resistance
good, susceptible to sea wind
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind, resistant to de-icing salt
Application
industrial areas
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Europe, West Asia, North America
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree calcareous soil clay soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates no paving light-loving resistant to de-icing salt resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for dry soil withstand long flood withstand short flood can withstand wind ovoid/egg-shaped 1st size , taller than 12 metres half-open crown green violet February fast growing Conspicuous bloom non-toxic (usually) Ornamental fruit
Possibly of interest
Frequently asked questions
Alnus incana

Alnus incana can eventually reach a height of 12 - 18 (20) m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Alnus incana is fast growing and can eventually reach a height of 12 - 18 (20) m, fast growing, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The right time to plant Alnus incana is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Alnus incana with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Alnus incana blooms in february.
General

Yes, we deliver to the UK. Delivery costs depend on the region and the total order value. Below, you’ll find all the details.

Delivery charges for private customers are calculated based on your region and are visible during the checkout process. We also offer discounts based on the total value of your order:

  • Orders over £1,000: Receive a 50% discount on delivery costs.
  • Orders over £2,000: Delivery is completely free.

Yes, for trees with a size of 50-60 cm girth or larger, additional delivery charges apply due to the need for specialised transport. These costs will be calculated separately and shared with you after your order is placed. We will contact you to discuss the transport options and costs.

Once you add items to your basket and proceed to the checkout, the system will calculate the delivery charges for your region. If your order qualifies for any discounts, they will automatically be applied.

For any questions or specific delivery requests, feel free to contact our customer service team. We’re happy to help arrange the best delivery solution for your order.