River Alder vs Black Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

River Alder vs Black Hawthorn

Crataegus douglasii

Alnus incana

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NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Black Hawthorn
River Alder

Black Hawthorn is a versatile plant that is native to wetlands and other areas with moist soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. This plant can be grown as a short shrub, or a tree reaching 30 feet tall.

Black Hawthorn is valued for erosion control and attracting pollinators. It also makes an attractive flowering ornamental that can be planted as a specimen or pruned as a hedge. It is commonly used in shelterbelts.

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.

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

River Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Fall colour: yellow to red
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Flowers: white
Bark: brown to gray
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none




Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple