Alnus jorullensis - Evergreen Trees Direct

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder

Name: Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: ALNJOR40cm/45L
Price: 265.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$265.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

994 in stock

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder

Alnus jorullensis – Mexican Alder is a fast-growing, deciduous tree native to Mexico and Central America. With its upright form, lush serrated foliage, and nitrogen-fixing roots, it’s a standout option for adding structure, shade, and ecological value to open landscapes.

Reaching 15–20 metres tall and 10–15 metres wide, Alnus jorullensis – Mexican Alder suits large gardens, windbreaks, and shelterbelts where quick coverage and soil improvement are needed. Its dark green leaves shift to yellow in autumn, and its adaptability to both wet and dry soils makes it highly versatile.

Alnus jorullensis – Mexican Alder looks excellent in parks, revegetation zones, or as a specimen tree, supporting wildlife while enhancing biodiversity with minimal upkeep.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15 m – 20 m

Mature Width: 10 m – 15 m

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder is expected to grow 70 – 120 cm/year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder frost tolerant?

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Flowering Information

Alnus jorullensis produces small clusters of yellow catkins in late winter to early spring. These modest flowers appear before the new foliage and provide an early pollen source for beneficial insects as the tree enters its growth cycle.

Native Information

Is Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder an Australian Native? No

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder is Native to Central America, including Mexico and Guatemala, where it grows naturally in montane forests and along rivers at higher altitudes.

Wildlife Value

Its canopy provides shelter for small birds, while its catkins support early-season pollinators such as native bees and hoverflies. The tree also contributes to soil health by naturally improving nitrogen levels, indirectly supporting surrounding plant biodiversity.

Sunlight Information

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Alnus jorullensis performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It can tolerate occasional wetness but may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter to boost structure and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support steady growth and moderate drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Mexican Alder, Jorullo Alder

Genus: Alnus

Botanical Species: jorullensis

Family: Betulaceae

Botanical Name: Alnus jorullensis

Landscape Uses

Shade Tree
Street Tree
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder works in an:

Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Planting Tips: Ensuring a Strong Start

Location: Choose a site with full sun to part shade and good air circulation.
Planting Depth: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and as deep as the root ball itself.
Soil Preparation: Amend heavy or poor soil with compost to encourage strong root development.
Spacing: Plant 5m - 10m apart for individual trees, closer for windbreaks.
Watering: Water deeply after planting and regularly during the establishment phase.

Hedging & Screening: 3 m – 4 m – Suitable for rural shelter planting
Feature Tree: 6 m – 8 m – Provides fast vertical coverage and shade
Avenue Planting Trees: 6 m – 8 m – Used for large-scale, upright avenues

Caring for Your Alnus jorullensis

Watering

Establishment Phase: Water deeply 2-3 times per week for the first 6 months.
Ongoing Care: Once established, drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering in prolonged dry periods.

Pruning

Timing: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or weak branches.
Method: Trim selectively to maintain shape and encourage strong branching.

Fertilization

When to Fertilize: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
How to Fertilize: Spread evenly around the base, avoiding direct contact with the trunk.

Pest & Disease Monitoring

Pests: Generally pest-free but may attract occasional aphids or borers.
Diseases: Resistant to most diseases; good airflow helps prevent fungal issues.

Mulching

Benefits: Retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature.
Application: Apply a 5-7 cm layer of mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Winter Care

Cold Protection: Naturally frost-tolerant, but young trees may need extra protection in extreme cold.

Optimizing Soil for Fast Growth and Vibrant Foliage

Ideal Drainage: Requires well-drained soil.

Well-Draining Soil: Fantastic for supporting this fast-growing species.

If you have the following soil, here are some tips for you:

Sandy Soil: Great for drainage; enrich with compost to improve water and nutrient retention.
Clay Soil: Heavy but nutrient-rich; enhance with organic material to ensure it does not become compacted.
Loamy Soil: Naturally supportive for Alnus jorullensis; enrich with organic matter to optimize growth.
Peaty Soil: High in organic content; amend with sand for better drainage, making it suitable for robust growth.

Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder is expected to grow 70 – 120 cm/year.

Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Alpine / High Country (Bright, Mansfield)
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Alnus jorullensis develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best with reliable moisture yet copes with short dry periods, especially in cooler climates or when deep watering is provided during heat.

Flowering Information

Does Alnus jorullensis - Mexican alder flower?

No - Doesn't Flower

Flowering Period:

Winter
Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Mexican Alder best used for?
A. It’s ideal for shade, windbreaks, and large-scale planting, with added benefits for biodiversity and soil improvement.

Q. How fast does it grow?
A. Very fast — up to 70–120 cm per year in ideal conditions.

Q. Does it tolerate wet soil?
A. Yes — it thrives in moist to waterlogged soils and improves soil quality by fixing nitrogen.

Q. What does its foliage look like?
A. Serrated, dark green leaves that turn yellow in autumn before dropping.

Q. Is it drought tolerant?
A. Moderately — it requires regular watering during establishment and becomes more drought-tolerant with age.

Q. What shape does the tree take?
A. It starts pyramidal when young and becomes rounded as it matures.

Q. Does it require much maintenance?
A. No — it is a low-maintenance tree well-suited for larger spaces and ecological planting.

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