Trees up to 25 meters tall; new twigs generally glabrous | ||
leaves |
flowers |
fruit |
|
|
|
General
Description:
This rapidly growing tree can reach 25 feet tall with up to an 8 inch diameter
trunk. The bark is thin, gray, and smooth. The wood tends to turn a deep red.
The alternately arranged leaves are elliptic, 5-15 cm long with acute bases
and apexes, and revolute, irregularly serrate margins. The upper glabrous surface
is deep green while the lower surface is rusty gray, hairy and glandular-dotted.
The catkins flower while the leaves are developing. They are on previous season's
growth. Male catkins are 5-12 cm long and drooping. The female catkins are woody,
about 1 ½ to 2 cm long, and bear winged fruits on their upper surface.
They grow in moist woods, often along streams in Northern Idaho. The wood is
used mostly for burning, but is also made into attractive hardwood furniture.
Also known as Oregon Alder.
Distribution:
Alaska southward , west of the Cascades to California and in Northern Idaho.
Habitat:
Grows in moist woods, mostly below 1000 feet elevation.
Other:
Sometimes considered a weedy species useful only for firewood, but recently
has been utilized for furniture building. The cones have also been gold plated
and sold as “pine cones.”