Grey alder, white alder

Europe, Caucasus. Up to 20 m in height, a tree with a very dense crown, smooth, light-gray bark. Unlike A. glutinosa it grows on dry soil as well, and also tolerates lime. A nitrogen-fixing pioneer species, forming numerous root suckers, with a shallow root system. Therefore this plant, together with willows, is valued for biological stabilization of slopes. Compared to the black alder, the humus-forming capacity of the leaves is lower. \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n