The Alder & Alder Wood

The alder - the pioneer among trees

The alder (Alnus), especially the black alder (Alnus glutinosa), is a native tree found in many parts of Europe. It prefers moist and marshy areas, such as along rivers and lakes, which is why it is often called a "water tree" or pioneer. The green alder, grey alder, and black alder are native to Central Europe. However, there are approximately 41 alder species worldwide, all of which are found exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere.

Alder wood (in Europe mainly that of the black alder) is often underestimated because it has some special properties.

Alder leaves (downloaded from Freepik) — Bark Green Alder (downloaded from Freepik )

Alder seeds — Seeds of black alder (downloaded from Freepik )

The Alder – Characteristics & Growth

Alders are deciduous trees belonging to the birch family (Betulaceae). The black alder can grow up to 30 meters tall and has a comparatively narrow, conical crown. Particularly striking are its round, serrated leaves, which are slightly sticky on the underside—hence the name "glutinosa" (Latin for "sticky"). Green alders, on the other hand, grow to 15 meters tall, while grey alders, shrub-like, only reach up to 6 meters. Despite their rapid growth, alders can live up to 120 years.

Alders are pioneer trees, meaning they are often the first to colonize fallow land or damp, difficult locations. An interesting feature of the alder is that it forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in the tree's roots. This improves soil quality and promotes the growth of other plants in its vicinity.

Group of black alders and green alders — Young black and green alders

Properties of alder wood

Although alder wood is light and soft, it exhibits similar stability to oak when installed underwater. Otherwise, alder wood is not very durable and is not suitable for outdoor use. Freshly cut wood has a light yellowish to whitish color, which quickly darkens upon exposure to air, taking on a characteristic reddish hue. This reddish color makes alder wood particularly popular for furniture and decorative items.

Another notable feature of alder wood is its even grain, without noticeable annual rings or knots. This gives the wood an elegant appearance, ideal for fine alder turning, such as wooden bowls , writing implements , etc. The wood's low density makes it easy to work, making it particularly popular with carpenters, wood turners, carvers, and others.

Use of alder wood

Alder wood is used in various areas:

Furniture making: Due to its fine grain and attractive reddish color, alder wood is often used for furniture, especially solid wood furniture. It is ideal for cabinets, tables, and chairs.
Interior design: Alder wood is also popular in interior design. It is ideal for wall paneling, baseboards, and window frames.
Musical instruments: Thanks to its sonic properties, alder wood is also used in the manufacture of musical instruments. It is particularly valued for its resonance and warm sound in electric guitars and drum shells.
Alder wood turning , carvings & decorative items: Alder wood is easy to carve and work, which is why it is often used for decorative woodwork and sculptures
firewood

Felled alder wood with typical red color (downloaded from Freepik )

Wooden nutmeg mill made of reddish alder wood

Alder wood in hydraulic engineering

A special feature of alder wood is its resistance to moisture. Unlike many other wood species, alder wood is not quickly destroyed in water but remains stable for a long time. For this reason, it was often used in hydraulic engineering in the past, for example, for bridge piles or the foundations of buildings that stood in water. In Venice, for example, many historic buildings rest on alder piles.

Availability of alder wood

The alder is a native tree species widespread in many parts of Europe. It grows relatively quickly (up to 1 meter per year) and colonizes even difficult or nutrient-poor locations. This makes it a rapidly renewable resource. In forests, the alder is often planted in mixed forests to promote soil biodiversity.

My conclusion on alder & alder wood

The alder is not only an ecologically valuable tree but also an excellent source of timber. Alder wood is characterized by its pleasant appearance, ease of processing, and versatility. Whether in furniture making, musical instrument construction, or hydraulic engineering, alder wood impresses with its properties and elegant, reddish color.

This makes alder and alder wood an important component in many craft and industrial areas.

Alder wood is a great raw material. I use it to make wood products such as: