Handbook of Tkkes of the Xoktiikkn States and Canada. I'M 



The Black Alder is a naturalized tree found 

 in various localities in the Atlantic states, 

 particularly in southern New York and New 

 Jersey. In its native home it is generall}' dis- 

 tributed over Europe, western Asia and 

 ndrthern Africa in moist localities, and at- 

 tains a heiglit of from 50 to 70 ft. with a 

 symmetrical pyramidal or when old roundel 

 top, and with trunk 1-2 ft. in diameter. Beini: 

 a vigorous growing tree of desirable qualitics 

 for ornamental planting, particularly on law 

 grounds, it was brought to America and 

 planted for ornamental purposes, and being 

 possessed of a hardy adaptable constitution it 

 Beeds freely and grows spontaneously in suit- 

 able localities. Few introduced trees of the 

 ornamental value of this are so well suited 

 to planting in very wet localities. Those 

 are mainly Willows and Poplars and among 

 them the straight smooth trunks of the Black 

 Alder, with their symmetrical tops of hand- 

 some foliage, have a very pleasing effect. They 

 are not, however, very long-lived trees with us, 

 and individuals are not found as large as those 

 in their native land. 



In Europe the tree is of considerable com- 

 mercial importance, as its soft straight- 

 grained wood is easily worked and valuable 

 in turnery, for wooden-ware, wooden-shoes, 

 etc., and for carving. It is valued, too, for 

 water pipes, pumps, piles, etc., and is largely 

 used for charcoal and fuel. The bark and 

 fruit are used in tanning leatlier and a yellow 

 dye is made from the bark and leaves. The 

 bark is also used in medicine, having astringent 

 and alterative properties. 



Lravcs orbicular to obovate. 25 in. long, mostly 

 obtuse at basf and retusc oi' rounded at apex, 

 irregularly serrate-denlate. distinctly glutinous at 

 first, glabrous dull green above, green and glabrous 

 or pubescent on the veins beneath. Floirrm ap- 

 pear in early spring before the leave.s ; staminate 

 aments 2-."{ in. and the pistillate about '/. in. long. 

 Fruit : strobile oblong-ovoid, i/i-% >n- long, with 

 wingless seeds. 



