Keishísh - Sitka Alder - Glacier Bay Ethnobotany

Alder grow in abundance in Glacier Bay

NPS Photo / S. Tevebaugh

Keishísh
Sitka Alder

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Also called beach or green alder, keishísh often grows along stream edges where Huna Tlingit fish for salmon. The wood is excellent for carving and is used to smoke and flavor fish. Alder captures nitrogen from the air and releases it to the soil where it serves as a natural fertilizer.