Common Names:   Alder Oregon alder Pacific coast alder Red alder Western alder Purchase Alder Learn more about Alder

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
Red alder is reported to be rather widespread, abundant, and secure globally, though it may be rare at the periphery of its range (Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endangerment based primarily on the number of occurrences of the species globally).

Distribution
The growth range of Red alder is reported to extend from southeastern Alaska to southern California. The species is reported to be common at low elevation throughout the Coast and Cascade ranges. It usually grows in nearly pure stands along streams and lower slopes in moist soils including loam, gravel, sand, and clay. 

Product Sources
It is not known at present whether timber from this species is obtainable from sustainably managed or other environmentally responsible sources, but Red alder is reported to be the most common and important of the hardwoods in the Pacific Northwest.

Red alder is reported to be rather scarce in the veneer form, but is abundant as lumber. Supplies of the inexpensive lumber are reported to be rather plentiful, particularly along the west coast of the United States.

The following species in the database is reported to be used for hat blocks as a substitute to Red alder:
European lime (Tilia vulgaris )

Tree Data
The tree is reported to reach heights of 70 to 120 feet (21 to 36 m), with a maximum height of 130 feet (39 m). Trees growing in the forest are reported to develop slightly tapered boles that are commonly clear of branches to 60 to 70 percent of the total height of the tree. Trunk diameter is often 10 to 34 inches (25 to 85 cm). The only of the ten native Alder trees in the United States to reach commercial size and abundance, Red alder trees are reported to be rather fast growing, maturing in about 50 years. They are often planted for shade along roads and homes.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood, which is indistinct from the sapwood is whitish when first cut, but changes color upon exposure to light reddish-brown.

Grain
Red alder has been described as 'pleasing' in appearance, with grain that is typically straight and subdued. Although the color has often been described as delicate, the wood is without any outstanding figure. 

Texture
Texture is typically fine and even, and is close.

Odor
There is no distinctive odor or taste. 

Ease of Drying
The wood is reported to be easy to dry, and seasons fairly rapidly with little degrade. Specially developed kiln schedules and careful handling of logs and freshly milled lumber are reported to be essential in order to obtain and maintain color uniformity during drying. Varying coloration ranging from yellow to deep red, sometimes mottled, is reported to be caused by the oxidation of extractives present in the wood.

Drying Defects
Chemical oxidation stains (sticker marks) are not uncommon. Mottling is reported to be preventable by kiln drying lumber promptly after sawing. Steaming kiln charges at different temperatures for different lengths of time is suggested as a technique to allow kiln operators to select a desired final color. 

Kiln Schedules
T10 - D4 (4/4); T8 - D3 (8/4) US

Movement in Service
The wood is reported to have above average stability after seasoning.

T/R Ratio
1.75
This ratio is more meaningful if it is used together with actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The timber is not resistant to decay, and is reported to be susceptible to attack by wood borers and the common furniture beetle. Rapid conversion into lumber after felling is recommneded to prevent staining and decay, and anti-stain chemicals are reported to be essential to stop the development of a reddish-purple stain in solid-piled lumber in the green condition. The timber is reported to perform relatively well when submerged under water. The standing tree is also reported to be easily attacked by a fungus which causes heart rot.

Resistance to Impregnation
Both the heartwood and sapwood are permeable to preservatives. 

Veneering Qualities
Red alder is reported to be very easy to convert into veneer, and is reported to be one of the easiest commercial timber to peel into veneer.

Cutting Resistance
The wood has been found to be fairly difficult to saw. 

Blunting Effect
The wood has slight blunting effect on cutting tools. 

Planing
Red alder is reported to be highly regarded for its machining properties because of its moderate specific gravity and even texture. It responds very well to planing operations, but it requires sharp tools and reasonable feed rates to yield clean surfaces. (Percent of perfect pieces without any machining defects = 61).

Turning
The material is reported to turn very well, despite its softness. It has been compared to Black cherry (Prunus serotina ) in this regard. (Percent of pieces with fair to excellent results in turning = 88).

Moulding
Moulding or shaping is reported to require sharp tools and non-excessive feed rates for best results. (Number of moulded pieces with good to excellent results = 20).

Carving
Red alder is reported to respond well to carving, either with hand or machine tools.

Boring
Boring properties are rated as fairly good. (Percent of good to excellent pieces = 66).

Routing & Recessing
The wood is normally very easy to rout or recess. 

Mortising
Red alder is reported to have fairly good mortising characteristics. (Number of mortised pieces with fair to excellent results = 52).

Gluing
The wood has excellent gluing properties, and Red alder is reported to be well known for its bonding qualities. It requires only moderately controlled conditions for the best results. 

Nailing
Resistance to splitting in nailing operations is reported to be very good, but nail-holding qualities are not particularly good. 

Screwing
Screwing properties are reported to be very good, but the wood does not hold screws very well.

Sanding
The wood is very easy to sand. 

Polishing
The wood can be polished very easily. No grain filling is required. 

Staining
The uniform, small pore structure and color consistency of Red alder are reported to allow it to accept a variety of commercially available stains, and can be stained to match other cabinet woods.

Steam Bending
Steam bending properties are rated as very good. 

Response to Hand Tools
The wood responds well to hand tools. 

Strength Properties
The bending strength of the species is considered medium, being much weaker than White oak or Teak in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content). Compression strength parallel to grain, or maximum crushing strength, is medium. It is lower in this property than Teak. It is not hard and can be dented and marred easily. Weight is moderate. Red alder is light, but moderately strong. It is not recommended for uses that require strength.