Spring seems to be happening in a far more condensed way in recent years. This elder is in a sheltered sunny spot and is usually the first tree in leaf in this wood. In contrast to the alder and the elm it produces leaves early in the season, while it's one of the last trees to produce flowers.
Primroses, the first roses of Spring, are also appearing in sheltered spots.
Alder catkins are less well known than the hazel, however they are just as attractive
As with hazel, the catkins produce the pollen, which is carried by spring breezes to the flowers, shown here. It's too early in the year for the tree to rely upon insects to act as pollinators 
This alder is still carrying a few cones from last year. Successfully polinated flowers develop into these seed bearing cones during the summer, and the small and light seeds are distributed by wind and water during the late autumn.
