Wood used for utensils cables, toys, interior woodwork
The common alder is one of those versatile wood that is rarely used by those who work with wood as a hobby, or even by professional woodworkers.
It is used in mass production and in clean carpentry. It dries well, it´s stable and is neither strong nor weak. Although it is relatively easy to work with, it is necessary to maintain the cutting instruments well sharp to get a good profile or corner. It dyes well, and has good finish, but without great brightness. As a result, the tendency is to be used in utilities, especially turned articles, in that it allows good work with the wood lathe. The alder is not a very large tree, so that is why you do not get parts with good widths and there are warpage risks.
Weight: Medium (530Kg/m3)
Hardness: Moderated
Color: Cream–pale pink, sometimes almost white, other times light brown reddish
Type: hardwoods of the temperate zone
Other names: White Alder, Japanese Alder
Alternatives: A. Incana (Alder white)
Origin: Europe
Texture: thin and uniform
Wood grain: Straight
Main applications: Utensils cables, toys, interior woodwork