Grey Alder vs Black Locust - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Black Locust

Alnus incana

Robinia pseudoacacia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Grey Alder
Black Locust

River Alder is a large shrub or small tree with a multi-stemmed, spreading habit. It is an excellent tree to plant if you want to stabilize the soil near rivers and creeks.

Unlike the other alder varieties, River Alder is attractive enough to be included in riverside plantings by municipal and provincial park organizations.

Note: We use Grey Alder for Alnus incana. This species is also known by many other common names, including River Alder, Speckled Alder, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Black Locust Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $9.99
Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Fall colour: yellow to orange
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Fruit: small catkins
Cones: small brown cones
Seeds: dark brown peapod-like pods
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder
Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust