Grey Alder vs Witch Hazel - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Alnus incana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Witch Hazel
Grey Alder

Witch Hazel is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, with a short trunk, bearing numerous spreading, crooked branches.

The seeds grow in a long, wooden pod with two to four seeds per pod. Upon ripening, the pods burst, firing the seeds up to 30km an hour.

The leaf and bark extract of Witch Hazel has been used as a remedy to common ailments such as inflammation, bruises and much more for many centuries.

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.

Witch Hazel Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fruit: small catkins
Cones: small brown cones
Seeds: seeds ejected to a distance of up to 30 ft
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


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