Speckled alder is an edible plant that animals will eat. Deer, rabbits, and other small mammals will eat the leaves and twigs of the speckled alder. Birds such as woodpeckers and thrushes also eat the fruit of the speckled alder. The bark of the tree is also eaten by beavers. In fact, beavers will cut down whole speckled alder trees simply for the bark.
Moose, muskrats, beavers, rabbits, redpolls, goldfinches, woodcock and grouse are all known to eat speckled alder. Speckled alder provides important nutrients for these animals and helps them survive during the winter.
Where do speckled alder trees grow
Speckled alder ranges from Canada to Oregon and is very common in northern regions of the United States. It can also be found growing in swamps, marshes, and riverbanks. Its flowers are a rich source of nectar and pollen for bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles. The speckled alder is also an important host plant for certain butterflies, including the eastern black swallow tail, the question mark butterfly, and the American lady.
Speckled alder can grow in many different soils that are moist or dry. It does well when there is full sun to part shade and will even grow in some shade. The tree is resistant to drought and flooding.
Speckled alder characteristics
This tree has opposite simple leaves with serrate margins, short petioles, and unique winged seeds (samaras) that are similar in appearance to the wings on maple seeds. The speckled alder is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 50 feet tall. It has a straight trunk, dark green leaves, and light brown bark.
The speckled alder is a valuable tree for many reasons. Not only is it an important food source for animals, but it is also a valuable wildlife habitat. The tree provides shelter, nesting sites, and food for many different kinds of animals. The speckled alder is an important part of the ecosystem and should be protected.
Speckled alder catkins
Speckled alder catkins are an important food source for a variety of animals. Black bears, grizzly bears, deer, elk, moose, and many other animals feed on the catkins during the winter when other food is scarce. The catkins are also eaten by small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits. In addition, many birds including chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, and jays eat the catkins.
List of animals that eat speckled alder
Speckled alder is an important host plant for butterfly caterpillars including red-spotted purple, viceroy, mourning cloak, question mark, comma, American snout, Baltimore checkerspot, and others. The speckled alder also provides cover and food for other wildlife including deer, raccoon, squirrels, and birds. Insects that feed on speckled alder leaves include aphids, leaf miners, lace bugs, and others. Some of the animals that eat speckled alder are listed below:
Mammals that eat speckled alder
- Moose
- Muskrats
- Beavers
- Rabbits
- Mice
- Voles
- Bears
- Elk
Birds that eat speckled alder
- Redpolls
- Goldfinches
- Woodcock
- Grouse
- Chickadees
- Titmice
- Jays
- Woodpeckers
Animal Characteristics
Moose, muskrats, beavers, rabbits, redpolls, goldfinches, woodcock, and grouse all eat speckled alder to get the nutrients they need to survive the winter months.
Moose feed on speckled alder in fall and early winter when food is scarce. They also eat trees that are already dead or dying, which is why moose often feed near water where there are speckled alders because many of them are beside rivers. The speckled alder provides protein and energy from the leaves, which keeps them from starving during this difficult time of year.
Muskrats eat the bark, twigs, and leaves of speckled alder year-round. They especially like to feed on the bark in the winter when other food sources are scarce.
Beavers also feed on speckled alder year-round. They eat the bark, twigs and leaves, too, but they also like to gnaw on the branches and cut down whole trees.
Rabbits, redpolls, goldfinches, woodcock, and grouse also eat the leaves of speckled alder.
What animals eat speckled alder summary
Speckled Alder is an important source of food for many animals, including bears. It is also used by animals as cover from predators and weather. Many insects benefit from feeding on the leaves and catkins.
