Alder Natural consistency and beautiful color can give the visual appeal of cherry, maple or birch. Alder dries to an even honey tone and can be finished to resemble more expensive fine-grained species. There is little color variation between the heartwood and sapwood, making alder also perfect for light or natural finishes. Alder's popularity continues to grow among fine furniture and cabinetry makers worldwide.

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Other common names:

Red Alder, Western Red Alder, Alnus rubra

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Sourcing Region: 

Coastal western North America

Color, Pattern, Texture: 

Alder tends to have 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. Its grain is generally straight, with a moderately fine, uniform texture.

Common Uses and Applications: 

Veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, millwork, pallets, musical instruments

Working Properties: 

Usually very easy to work with, both hand and machine tools; it sands especially easy. The wood is rather soft, and care must be taken to avoid denting it in some applications. Alder has excellent gluing, staining, and finishing properties; it also turns well and behaves similar to Black Cherry.