Speckled Alder gives back what it takes ten-fold. Often found in areas with wet soil in or along swamps, meadows, and streams, Speckled Alder often serves as erosion control along banks while providing protection, shelter, and food to many species. It's a nitrogen-fixing species, replenishing the soil and nourishing the plants growing around it. We typically grow it as a small tree, but it tends to take the form of a multi-stemmed shrub when left to grow in the wild.