Alder

Latin name: Alnus glutinosa

 

Also known as: common alder, black alder (UK), aune (France), els (Netherlands), erle (Germany)


Wood Type:

Hardwood

Durability:

Not durable

Treatability:

Easy

Moisture Movement:

Small

Abrasions:

Poor

Density (mean, Kg/m³):

530

Texture:

Fine

Availability:

Available at specialist timber merchant

Use(s):

Tool handles, Furniture

Colour(s):

Reddish brown (Light and dull)

Notes on terms used navigation-arrow

Environmental

Not listed in CITES. Believed available from well-managed sources. Check certification status with suppliers.

 

Distribution

Alder occurs in Europe from Scandinavia and north Russia southwards. It is common throughout the British Isles and is found in north Africa and western Asia.

 

The tree

A small to medium-size tree, attaining a height usually between 15m and 27m and a diameter of 0.3m to 1.2m. It enjoys damp situations along streams, and reaches its best development when growing in moist loam upon which rain has washed down layers of humus from woods at higher elevations.

 

The timber

There is no distinction by colour between sapwood and heartwood, the wood being a dull, light reddish-brown colour, without lustre, soft. and light in weight, about 530 kg/m³ when dried.

 

Drying

The timber dries fairly rapidly with little degrade.

 

Strength

It has no reputation for strength, being comparable to poplar in general strength properties, although a little harder and rather more resistant in shear.

 

Working qualities

Medium to good - Easy to work and finish provided tools are kept sharpened. It takes glue, stains and polish, and nails and screws satisfactorily. and is a fairly good turnery wood.

Suppliers

International Timbernavigation-arrow

Manchester

James Latham plcnavigation-arrow

Hemel Hempstead

Stourhead (Western) Estatenavigation-arrow

Wiltshire

W. L. West & Sons Ltdnavigation-arrow

Petworth

Suppliers

W. L. West & Sons Ltdnavigation-arrow

Petworth

Stourhead (Western) Estatenavigation-arrow

Wiltshire

James Latham plcnavigation-arrow

Hemel Hempstead

International Timbernavigation-arrow

Manchester