Bare root stock available Oct-April or PRE ORDER NOW and reserve Grey Alder (alnus incana) trees.This is a widely distributed aggressive pioneer species from mainland Europe and Russia, but it is not a British native. A subspecies (rugosa) occurs across North America. It is totally hardy in most of Britain, and thrives on cold wet ground making it ideal for planting on reclaimed and derelict land. It suckers freely and its wide spreading roots fix atmospheric nitrogen. Where the root rot phytophthora is prevalent however grey alder should not be planted. The timber is soft and of low density. This is a good nurse tree, and it can be regularly coppiced.