Knott y plainsawn Clear plainsawn red alder red alder

Spotlight on Red Alder The “poor man’s cherry” of the Pacifi c Northwest

By Pete Stephano Technical Consultant: Larry Osborn

Red alder (Alnus rubra), and similar look. The evenly Where the wood a b irch relative, was once textured wood is also recognized comes from considered a weed tree in for its veneer potential for both plywood faces and core stock. years), the domestic red alder because it quickly took over growsA short-lived best in tree moist (from coastal 25 to 35 burnedthe coastal and Paci�ic clear-cut Northwest forestland History in woodworking conditions at lower elevations to crowd out more valuable Alder was primarily used for from southeastern Alaska and British Columbia to northern it was the preferred wood of California. Washington’s Puget itconifers, is considered such as a Douglasvaluable �ir and �irewood prior to the 1920s, and Sound area boasts having the lumberwestern tree red thatcedar. represents Now, however, salmon. Following World War II, greatest commercial volume. the highest percentage of the redNative alder Americans caught on for as smoking a furniture Alder species are found across region’s standing commercial wood. It’s now a favorite species hardwood volume. Along the for upholstered furniture due Stained red alder sample West Coast, red alder replaces to its stability and tack-holding more expensive Eastern ability. The wood also shows hardwoods in moderately priced up in cabinets, paneling, and furniture lines because it can be stained to blend with or and ease of machining makes it substitute for these woods. In amillwork. candidate Red for alder’s everything �ine texture from fact, woodworkers in that part brush backs to toys and turnings. of the country sometimes refer In years past, the U.S. exported to red alder as the “poor man’s red alder to Europe, and even cherry” due to its affordability larger quantities to Asia.

74 woodcraftmagazine.com Feb/Mar 2012 northern Europe and to orange and slightly yellow Russia, but their wood is hues. Because there is little visual lighter and weaker than difference between heartwood and sapwood, select red alder can offer consistent WhatNorth American you’ll pay red alder. color across a board’s At one time only available on width. Some boards the West Coast, you can now may display ray-

nationwide. On the East Coast, to the outer edges. rising�ind red transportation alder lumber costsnearly �leck �igure closer make the wood less desirable Working red and less available than locally- alder in harvested woods, such as birch, the shop yellow poplar, and even cherry. With its even texture, straight grain, and moderate Red Alder hardness, red alder performs Quick Take On the West Coast, you’ll �ind it in all machining aspects much gradepriced for around woodworking. $3 per board (Select foot like quality white pine but Cost - Low for select and better, the �inest without building up pitch on Weight - Moderate board foot.) Knotty alder sells bits and blades. Some tear-out (About 20% lighter than cherry) cherry retails for over $6 per and gouging is possible during Hardness - Moderate planing, jointing, and routing. (About 30% less than cherry) reasonablefor about $2 board-foot a board foot. cost. Red At But unlike cherry, red alder alder veneer doesn’t re�lect4" × its 4' × tends not to burn when sawing Stability - Moderate 3 8' sheet of clear A-grade,⁄ it tops or routing. Because of the Durability - Low aroundthe cost $100-plus of birch and for even a maple wood’s low density, its ability plywood. Knotty alder plywood to hold fasteners lies only in the Strength - Low sells for less. Paper-backed red moderate range, but the wood is Toxicity - Low alder veneer is also available less likely to split when nailed. Common uses - Cabinets, through specialty suppliers. furniture, millwork, slicing, shaping, and holding turnings, and carving How to select anCarvers edge. �indIt accepts it respectable all types for of the best stock adhesives and sands easily. Only available as plainsawn stock, red alder can vary slightly by Deciding on color from rich reddish-brown the right fi nish It’s a fact that… Red alder takes stains and European alders, both Stained cherry sample black (Alnus gluti nosa) or no blotching. Clear, untinted and grey (Alnus incana), lacquer,�inishes water-basedequally well withpoly, littleor have been put to greater blonde shellac tend to give the use than the North wood a goldish tone. If aiming American variety. Wood for a color closer to cherry, try from these related species has become the soles as an oil-based polyurethane. of clogs, arti fi cial limbs, an amber-colored �inish, such rollers for texti le mills, and alder won’t darken over time. gunpowder charcoal. ItNote also that holds unlike paint cherry, well. Ired

Wood sample photos: Shayne Hiles Feb/Mar 2012 woodcraftmagazine.com 75 SUBSCRIBE! 2 YEARS for $29.99!

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