Grey Alder - Alnus incana

Tree or shrub to 10 metres with smooth grey bark. Young shoots hairy. Leaves oval-lanceolate, pointed, downy and grey beneath. Fruits are cone-like.

Other Alder including our native Alnus glutinosa are very similar when not in leaf. 

Smooth grey bark on mature trees can indicate this species, but it is best to record it from the leaf-shape. It is hard to distinguish this species form other alders from the buds, twigs, fruits, cones or catkins. 

Photos of leaves

Often planted, especially on former quarries and tips or on restored brownfield or previously developed land .

Spring and summer.

Deciduous tree.

Widespread in Britain, usually as planted stock.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland usually as a result of planting; but often naturalised. It was not recorded in the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire.