Ohio Buckeye vs Red Alder

Red Alder is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to western North America. Through its nitrogen-fixing roots and nitrogen-rich leaf litter, Red Alder improves soil fertility and supports the growth of surrounding plants. This makes it especially valuable on disturbed sites following logging, construction, or fire. A classic pioneer species, it often colonizes bare ground and enhances conditions for longer-lived conifers to follow.

Red Alder stabilizes soils on streambanks and disturbed slopes, reducing erosion and aiding restoration. It also supports wildlife: birds and small mammals eat the seeds and buds, deer and elk browse the foliage, and bees are drawn to the pollen-rich catkins in spring.

Red Alder also has commercial importance, with its strong yet workable wood widely used for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, and pulp. The tree takes its name from the rusty-red color the bark turns when cut or bruised.

Ohio Buckeye is a medium sized deciduous tree. If you are looking for a shade tree, Ohio Buckeye's dense canopy of unique leaves can provide it.

Named after its fruit, an inedible nut enclosed in a prickly husk, Ohio Buckeye also features green-yellow flowers and long, broad leaves that turn brilliant red in the fall.

Slow growing, but an extremely attractive tree. Find out what experienced horticulturalists already know: this tree is a gem.

A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.

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