Grey Alder vs Yellow Birch - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Yellow Birch

Betula alleghaniensis

Alnus incana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Yellow Birch
Grey Alder

Yellow Birch is a large and valuable hardwood species in northeastern North America. The bark on its limbs and young trunks is silvery-yellowish in colour, hence the name. This tree prefers to grow in cool regions with damp or saturated soil.

Yellow Birch can be tapped for syrup, like Sugar Maple. Although the sap has less sugar content, it flows in greater quantity than maple trees.

Note: Unfortunately this difficult to grow species is not currently scheduled to grow at TreeTime.ca. Perhaps try purchasing seed from SeedTime.ca and growing your own? Or sign up for a restock notification above.

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.

Yellow Birch Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: none


Fall colour: bright yellow
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Bark: shiny yellow to grey silver peels in curly strips, becomes reddish brown when older
Fruit: small catkins
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes


Other Names: golden birch
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder