Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder)

Description

Alnus glutinosa or common alder is a medium sized native British tree with a broadly pyramidal shaped crown. Alnus glutinosa has purple/grey leaf buds that form on long stems and the green leaves have serrated edges. Yellow catkins in are produce in early spring.

The green dye from the flowers was used to colour and camouflage the clothes of outlaws such as Robin Hood, and was thought to also colour the clothes of fairies.