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Spaeth's Alder planted in a row at the nursery with green leaves.

Spaeth's Alder

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$900.00 - $1,000.00
$900.00
$900.00 - $1,000.00
$900.00
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Tree Size: 2.5" Caliper
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Quick Overview

Spaeth's Alder, named after botanist Franz Späth, is a robust hybrid of Japanese and Caucasian Alders. It grows quickly to 65 feet tall with a narrow 20-foot spread. In spring, its leaves emerge coppery-purple, turning dark green in summer and coppery brownish-yellow in fall. This tree supports wildlife, providing nutritious cone-like fruit for small mammals and habitats for birds and insects. It thrives in poor soils, making it suitable for urban and naturalized settings. As a fast-growing shade tree, Spaeth's Alder adds lasting value to landscapes.

Why it rocks:

Spaeth's Alder is named after the legendary botanist Franz Späth from Berlin, Germany. This tough tree is the ultimate hybrid, combining the best traits of Japanese and Caucasian Alders. It’s a speedy grower, shooting up to a towering 65 feet, while maintaining a comparably narrow spread of 20 feet wide. In spring, watch its leaves unfurl a unique coppery-purple color before becoming a glossy dark green in summer. Come fall, its leaves change to a muted coppery brownish-yellow. Spaeth Alder offers a touch of nature to your yard as it is a welcoming habitat for wildlife! Its cone-like fruits are a nutritious snack for small mammals, and its branches are home to birds and insects. This underrated large, fast-growing shade tree is a reliable superstar ready to add value to landscapes for years to come!

Where to put it:

Spaeth's Alder is a sizable shade tree that requires plenty of space to flourish. This rapidly growing tree excels in urban environments, thriving where other species may struggle, thanks to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Its substantial mature size makes it ideal for open landscapes and more natural settings, such as parks, cemeteries, and golf courses. Spaeth's Alder serves as a fantastic replacement for ash trees. When planting, ensure it is placed at least 10 feet away from nearby structures to accommodate its full growth potential.

What it needs:

Spaeth’s Alder thrives best in full sun rather than partial shade and requires moist soil. This nitrogen-fixing tree is not particularly high-maintenance and can adapt to various soil conditions. To promote a strong & healthy root system, please adhere to our tree care guidelines during the initial growing seasons.

Botanical Name: Alnus x spaethii
Hardiness Zone: 4
Tree Type: Shade
Size Range: Large Tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature Height: 65'
Mature Spread: 20'
Shape: Broadly Pyramidal
Foliage Color: Purple in Spring - Changing to Green in Summer
Fall Color: Yellow/Gold | Brown/Copper
Flower Color: N/A
Decorative Fruit: Cone-like Fruit
Landscape Uses: Shade | Parkway/Street
Growth Rate: Rapid
Plant Tolerance: Very Adaptable
Standout Feature: Tolerant of tough urban conditions, Wildlife value

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