Alder

Botanical name: Alnus rubra
Grows in: southeastern Alaska to southern California.

Hardness/Janka: Janka:590

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.

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.

Available Flooring or Other Product: Kitchen Cabinet