Green Alder vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Green Alder vs Northern Bayberry

Alnus crispa

Myrica pensylvanica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Green Alder
Northern Bayberry

Green Alder is a cold hardy, native shrub. It is often planted on infertile sites so it can fix nitrogen from the air and improve the soil quality.

Green Alder is known for its smooth grey bark and attractive shiny green leaves; it is commonly used in reclamation.

Note:This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Green Alder seeds at SeedTime.ca.

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Green Alder Quick Facts

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes
Berries: blue-gray
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium

In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.
Other Names: mountain alder, sitka alder
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub