Wood description:
Alder wood colour is white-yellow when fresh cut and it becomes amber-brown once dried. Growth rings are identifiable on tangential surfaces as there are light differences on colour between earlywood and latewood . The characteristic fistulas of European alder are not present on the American one. Sapwood and heartwood have not distinction.

Histological structure:
Grain: straight;
Texture: fine.

Characteristic defects:
Prone to chromatic variations due to fungus;
Vulnerable to wood-boring insects.

Permeabilty:
from not too impermeable to permeable.

Working properties:
Sawing: easy;
Drying: quick;
Planing: trouble-free;
Glueing: easy;
Nailing and screwing: easy;
Finishing: easy.

Main uses:
Furniture for interiors
Flooring, ceiling, doors … ;
Turnery and small items.

Mechanical properties:
Tensil strength : 680 kg/cm²
Compressive strength : 401 kg/cm²

Specific weight:
green 640 kg/m³
dried 450 kg/ m³.