Alnus cordata

Are you looking for a fast-growing screening tree that offers structure and robust performance even in challenging British weather conditions? Meet the Italian Alder, Alnus cordata, a species known for its strikingly upright, pyramidal shape and reliable seasonal features.

Through March and April, the tree provides early spring appeal with its bright yellow catkins, and its glossy deep-green leaves provide excellent cover, persisting well into the later parts of autumn; later in the year, it reliably produces small, brown, cone-like woody fruits that remain on the branches throughout the winter, offering crucial shelter and food for birds, while its unique ability to fix nitrogen benefits the surrounding soil.

This hardy specimen performs best when sited in full sun and shows great adaptability across various sites, thriving on deep, chalky or loamy, well-drained ground, and it exhibits excellent tolerance for wind and urban pollution, making it a superb choice for creating effective windbreaks or screening where you need a tree that handles difficult spots, especially dry ground locations.