Alder is spring flowering tree with the catkins (reddish male flowers) ripening in March and often finished and dropping off the tree by the end of April. The "cones" in the picture are the mature female flowers which release seeds later in the year but which, when empty, stay on the tree and turn dark brown. The male catkins (right) appear in early spring with immature female flowers near the top of the twig.

Helsby, Cheshire, 30th November 2004 (left), Frodsham February 11th 2005 (right)

Added on December 22nd 2004, amended on February 11th 2005, updated 22nd June 2008, updated Feb 26th 2010, updated March 30th 2013