Red Alder is typically found in the western part of North America. It is a water loving, quick growing tree that thrives in moist conditions. On average this species tends to be knottier than other hardwoods. However, visibility between heartwood and sapwood is extremely low.

Properties:

Alder works well with both machine and hand tools. It has good nailing and gluing properties, finishes well and it is moderately light in weight.

It has a medium density, medium crushing strength, low stiffness, low bending strength and has a low shock resistance.

Red Alder can take a stain extremely well to complement such woods as Walnut and Cherry.

APPLICATIONS

• Cabinet Doors
• Cabinetry
• Furniture
• Interior Millwork
• Interior Trim
• Musical Instruments
• Passage Doors
• Veneer
• Windows

DISTRIBUTION

Coastal western North America

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Alnus rubra

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: BASIC

0.37

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 12% MC

0.45

JANKA HARDNESS

590

COLOR/APPEARANCE

Red Alder tends to be a light tan to reddish brown; color darkens and reddens with age. There is no visible distinction between heartwood and sapwood. The overall grain pattern and appearance is similar to Birch (Betula genus)‹though redder than Birch‹and both genera are derived from the same family, Betulaceae

GRAIN/TEXTURE

Grain is generally straight, with a moderately fine, uniform texture.