Alder — Identification, Uses and Properties
Alnus firmifolia Betulaceae
Commonly used for local construction, firewood, and charcoal production in its native range.
HARDWOOD CENTRAL AMERICA FURNITURE
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Alnus firmifolia
Family
Betulaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Aliso del cerro (Mexico), Aile (Mexico), Aliso (Honduras)
Origin Region
Central America
Main End Uses
Furniture · Cabinetry · Interior millwork · Turnery · Carvings · Panel stock · Plywood cores · Matchsticks
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Light tan to reddish brown; darkens and reddens with age.
Texture
Moderately fine, uniform.
Grain
Generally straight.
Sapwood
Not sharply demarcated from heartwood.
Interlocked Grain
Occasional
Notes
Look for a fairly light, not very dense wood with a plain, uniform appearance. Freshly cut surfaces are pale and soon turn light brown with a reddish cast. In alder, occasional broad aggregate rays may appear as small streak-like marks on the face grain, which can help separate it from many other pale diffuse-porous woods.
Wood Identifier App
Identify Alder and more with the app
Snap a photo and get instant AI-powered species recognition. Available on Google Play and the App Store.
Log Description
Diameter
30-60 cm
Log Conservation
Low
Diameter
11.8-23.6 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.44 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
27.5 lb/ft³
Tangential Shrinkage
7.2 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.2 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.71
Crushing Strength
30.5 MPa
Crushing Strength
4,424 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
57.4 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
8,325 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
7,830 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,135,645 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Non-durableDry Wood Borers
SusceptibleTermites
SusceptibleUse Class
1Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Fast
Risk Distortion
Low
Risk Case Hardening
Low
Risk Checking
Low
Risk Collapse
Low
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Low
Machining Tools
Standard
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Very easy to work with both hand and machine tools; sands especially easily. Glues, stains, and finishes well.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
Back to Species Library
Completeness: 3.2 / 10