RED ALDER 



(Alnus Oregona) 



MANY species of alder are found in various parts of the world, and 

 on both sides of the equator, but chiefly in the northern hemis- 

 phere. Some of these are trees, others are shrubs. Six species belonging 

 in the tree class grow in the United States, besides others which remain 

 shrubs. Some trees are burdened with names, changing them with 

 locality, but not so with alder. An adjective may accompany the name, 

 as red, white, seaside, or mountain, to describe it, but it is always 

 alder, no matter where it grows. The different species cover much of 

 the United States, and few large areas are found which have not one or 

 more species. It grows from sea level up to 7,000 feet or more.^ut 

 some species thrive at one elevation, and others above or below. 



The alders are old inhabitants of the earth. They had a place in 

 the Eocene and Miocene forests of the old world and new. It is not ap- 

 parent that they have either gained or lost in extent of range during the 

 hundreds of thousands of years which measure their tenancy on the 

 earth. They have not been aggressive in pushing their way, nor 

 have they shown a disposition to retire before the aggression of other 

 trees. Some alders bear seeds equipped with wings for wind dis- 

 tribution, others produce wingless seeds which depend on water to bear 

 them to suitable situations and plant them. Of course, the water-borne 

 seeds are planted on muddy shores or on the banks of running streams, 

 and the trees of those species are confined to such situations. The 

 alders belong to the birch family. 



Red alder is the largest of the alder group in this country. Mature 

 trees are from forty to ninety feet high, and from one to three feet in 

 diameter. The northern limit of its range crosses southern Alaska; its 

 southern border is in southern California. It is a Pacific coast tree, 

 with a north and south range of 2,000 miles. Trunks are straight, and 

 branches are generally slender. The largest specimens grow in the 

 vicinity of Puget Sound. The bark is thin, leaves are from three to ten 

 inches long, cones from one-half to one inch in length, seeds have very 

 narrow, thin wings, and are about the size of raddish seeds. The cones 

 remain green in color until the seeds are fully ripe, but they finally 

 turn brown, and seeds are liberated during the fall and winter. 



Red alder is given that name because the newly cut wood is liable 

 to change quickly to a reddish-brown. This applies to the whitish 

 sapwood only; but since the trunk is largely sapwood, it is an important 

 matter. It is not apparent whether the change in color is due to attack 



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