Red Alder is the dominant native hardwood of the Pacific Coast, colonizing disturbed and wet areas from Alaska to California. It is a vigorous nitrogen-fixer that enriches soils and accelerates forest succession after disturbance. Its wood is used for furniture and smoking salmon, and the bark was used medicinally and as a dye by Pacific Northwest peoples.
Best time to see a Red Alder
The best time to see a Red Alder is April–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,637 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Red Alder? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Red Alder sightings near you
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