Description

What Is Alder Lumber?

Alder is a genus of the Birch family. Alder has at least 35 tree species grown and distributed throughout the world. When freshly cut, alder has a creamy white color. This color changes fast upon exposure to air and becomes darker. Its color can range from light brown to yellow to reddish brown. The color also tends to get darker as the alder lumber ages.

What makes alder unique is that there is no clear distinction between its heartwood and sapwood. Heartwood is only formed in old alder trees. The wood has a fairly straight grain and uniform texture. Sometimes, large aggregate rays appear on the face grain.

Where Is Alder Sourced From?

The most common alder species sold in America is red alder. It grows on soil rich in nutrients, such as streambanks and floodplains. As such, it is found across the Pacific Northwest from Southeast British Columbia to Northern Carolina.

Other North American alders include the Sierra alder (A. rhombifolia), gray or speckled alder (A. incana) and the American green alder (A. viridis). The European or black alder (A. glutinosa) is also cultivated in some parts of North America.

Is Alder Hardwood or Softwood?

Alder is considered a hardwood since it is a deciduous tree that sheds its leave during autumn and winter. Even if it is a part of northwest hardwoods, it is not as hard as other woods in this category, such as white ash, yellow birch and elm. Alder is a soft hardwood mainly because of its medium density. It also has low bending strength, stiffness and shock resistance.

What to Look for When Purchasing Alder

Alder makes an affordable choice for many cabinetry and woodworking projects. It makes a good alternative to black cherry, which can be more expensive. When buying alder lumber, always ask how the wood was dried, how long it was dried, and its grade.

The lumber from an alder tree is easy to work with using hand and machine tools. Pick a thicker and longer lumber than you need because you will lose some of it when sawing, planing and sanding.