Alnus are vigorous deciduous trees or large shrubs with rounded leaves and notable catkins in winter. Cordata is a rapidly growing tree with a large, conical habit. The dark green, heart shaped foliage is produced after the tree flowers. Males will produce yellow catkins up to 10cm in length, followed by cone-like fruit. Female catkins are reddish brown and are much shorter than that of the male. This is a tolerant tree, surviving in windy conditions, poor soil, and a polluted environment making it useful for an ideal urban specimen.