The black alder is a widespread species occurring in bottomlands, swamp forests, marsh lands and along the shore; away from water, it occurs at locations with high rainfall. Thus, it depends on water because its leaves do not have any mechanism to control transpiration. The black alder does well in acidic soils. Its occurrence ranges from the plains up to mountainous regions. The common alder can grow to a height of 20-30 m. A characteristic of the black alder is its smooth bark which is, however, cracked at the base of the trunk. Its leaves are nearly orbiculate, cut or slightly...