autumn, and the female catkins with or shortly 

 after the leaves. 



The alder is generally seen as a shrub, and 

 will grow vigorously even when standing in water. 

 Planted on drained land, with room, and allowed 

 to run up, it alters the charafter of its growth 

 and takes quite a resemblance to the oak. 



The alder is best propagated from seeds. The 

 wood is naturally white, but when cut, it turns 

 red. As coppice wood, the poles make useful 

 hurdles, but it is most durable as piles for under- 

 water purposes. Posts and stakes of alder are 

 not serviceable ; they soon perish. 



Indigenous to Great Britain, it has a wide 

 geographical scope, extending over Europe, North 

 Africa, and West and Northern Asia. 



