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ALDER HARDWOOD IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
Alder
Alder is suitable for furniture, doors, kitchen cabinetry, and interior paneling, as well as electric guitar bodies and certain types of millwork (like mouldings and mantels), due to its workability. Its color and grain make it a suitable substitute for cherry or mahogany while allowing for a significant cost savings. [3]
Its soft nature makes it easy to work with for both hand and machine tools. Alder is easily sanded, turned, glued, and finished. [4]
Alder is typically sold in two grades: knotty and clear. Knotty alder is less expensive than clear alder, but a smooth finish can be achieved when machining both types of wood. [4]
Red alder is dried to a moisture content of about 8%. Special care must be taken during the drying process because extractives in the wood can cause mottling. [1]
Alder rates 590 on the Janka Hardness Scale, so it’s not a good choice for tabletops, countertops, or any other surface that takes a great deal of abuse (like hardwood flooring). It also shouldn’t be used for any exterior projects. Its pore structure, however, allows it to readily take stain without prior treatment. [1]
Alder grows most sustainably in the northwest portion of North America with its range spreading south to California and east to parts of Idaho and Montana. It is the most abundant hardwood lumber in the Pacific Northwest, and grows most densely in the area around Washington’s Puget sound, and northern Oregon.
It grows up the coast of western Canada to southeastern Alaska, and prefers to grow at lower elevations with moist conditions throughout its range. [1]
Trees can grow from 100 to 130 feet tall, and reach a diameter of up to 3 feet. [4]
All data derives from Forest Inventory Data Online (FIDO), a component of the U.S. Forest Service Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA). Data was compiled by AHEC in January 2016 using the most recent state inventory available (2014 for most states). "Forest volume" refers to "net volume of live trees on forest land," as defined by FIA (see glossary). FIA forest volume data is available for 49 U.S. states (Hawaii and Washington D.C. are omitted) with total hardwood forest volume of 18.1 billion m3 of which 13.5 billion m3are commercially significant.
Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods is happy to assist with any questions you have about our alder wood products, including Alder S4S Lumber, Alder Rough lumber, Alder Plywood, and other items, like a variety of alder hardwood mouldings.
Please call 1-800-732-1697 or Contact Us if you need help with our extensive inventory.
Source: The Department of Agriculture's Wood Handbook
*Data is based on a moisture content of 12%.
Impact Bending — In the impact bending test, a hammer of given weight is dropped upon a beam from successively increased heights until rupture occurs or the beam deflects 152 mm (6 in.) or more. The height of the maximum drop, or the drop that causes failure, is a comparative value that represents the ability of wood to absorb s hocks that cause stresses beyond the proportional limit.
Janka Hardness — Defined as resistance to indentation using a modified Janka hardness test, measured by the load required to embed a 11.28-mm (0.444-in) ball to one-half its diameter. Values presented are the average of radial and tangential penetrations.
Modulus of Elasticity — Elasticity implies that deformations produced by low stress are completely recoverable after loads are removed. When loaded to higher stress levels, plastic deformation or failure occurs.
Specific Gravity - A measure of the ratio of a wood's density as compared to water. If a wood species had the same density as water, the specific gravity would be 1.00.