Red Alder, #2318

Left Coast Bonsai, Red Alder (Alnus), $50. May 2023.

Though short, the trunk is stout and curved. Partial defoliation or large leaves, as grower noted that it responds well to reducing leaf size.

  • LCB cautions that Alders do not respond well to major cuts—can give up and instead give off shoots.

  • When pruning, leave 2” from the last branch—else it will die back through the branch. Once it dies back, it can be trimmed.

  • Can defoliate completely a few times each growing season.

  • Avoid wiring as it grows so fast in length and width that wire bite must be caught early.

  • Air layering is possible, roots quickly.

  • Likes lots of water—like birch and aspen, it is a river tree.

treeMichael Weitree, alder, deciduous, 2023