Western Species & Grades

Alder

Decades ago, NWH pioneered the use of Alder as a viable species for commercial use. Today, Alder’s popularity continues to grow. For OEMs, Alder offers a host of benefits, most important the species’ versatility and workability. From interior finish hardwood to furniture building, we provide the ongoing Alder supply our customers demand. Natural consistency and beautiful color can give it 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 ideal for light or natural finishes. Alder’s popularity continues to grow among fine furniture and cabinetry makers worldwide. Other Common Names: Red Alder, Western Red Alder Scientific Name: Alnus rubra

Properties

  • Machining10
  • Nailing7
  • Screwing7
  • Gluing9
  • Finishing10

Properties of Alder

Alder tends to be a light tan to reddish brown; color darkens and reddens with age. Alder is very easy to work with both hand and machine tools; it sands especially easy and has excellent gluing, staining, and finishing properties.

How does it compare

Lumber
(12 % moisture content)
MachiningSandingFinishingGluingFastening/
Nailing/
Screwing
Weight
per bdft
Specific
Gravity
(Density)
Hardness
(Janka)
Bending
Strength
(MOR)
Bending
Stiffness
(MOE)
Dimensional
Movement
(Shrinkage)
R (%)
Dimensional
Movement
(Shrinkage)
T (%)
Alder101010972.45.415909,8001,3804.47.3
Ash9109863.56.611,32015,0001,7404.97.8
Basswood10109882.50.374108,7001,4606.69.3
Beech8810883.69.641,26014,9001,7205.511.9
Birch10810823.53.621,26016,6002,0107.39.5
Cherry10910973.07.5295012,3001,4903.77.1
Hickory377334.14.671,82013,7001,7304.98.9
Hard Maple9810943.73.641,45015,8001,8304.89.9
PC Maple9910952.74.5085010,7001,4503.77.1
Soft Maple8910953.19.5595013,4001,6404.08.2
Red Oak (Northern)10109973.64.631,22014,3801,7614.08.6
White Oak9109773.94.681,35014,3801,7624.48.8
Poplar9810962.81.4354010,1001,5804.68.2
Walnut989773.36.561,01014,6001,6805.57.8