thrives in the low, moist conditions of the Pacific Northwest.  More than 18 billion bd. ft. have been classified as commercial grade in the growing areas of Western Oregon and Washington
and Northern California.  Western Alder is a prolific, fast-growing species requiring only about one-half the time to grow as do merchantable conifers.

   According to the U.S. Forest Service, Alder saw timber exceeds the total supply of soft maple by 35% and is only 17% less than sugar and black maples.  Western  Alder is more than double the supply of birch and two and one-third times the supply of basswood.  It is 11% more than the supply of all aspen stands and 11% less than the total poplar supply.  Furthermore, Western Alder lumber is available all year in poplar thicknesses from 4/4 to 12/4. 

General Characteristics:

   Western Alder is a close or fine- grained  hardwood similar to cherry, birch and maple.  It has a density or hardness comparable to Appalachian soft maple.  Western Alder is extremely uniform in its light tan or honey color, and there is no color difference between heartwood and sapwood.  This makes Alder much easier to match and finish, even with clear "fruitwood" finishes that require no stain, because kiln-dried Alder presents no problems with sap, mineral streaks, dark color, or stain.  Western Alder features a light pattern which adds to its popularity for printing and matching Alder solids with many species of veneers without bleaching.