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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRed alder (Alnus rubra) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to the Pacific Coast, from southern California to southeastern Alaska. For construction and woodworking, its main relevance is its moderately dense, even-textured wood, used for products such as cabinets, trim, paneling, veneers, and plywood. It is also a common pioneer tree on moist, recently disturbed sites.
What is red alder?
Red alder is a birch-family hardwood native to western North America. The USDA Forest Service describes it as the most common hardwood in the Pacific Northwest; it is also called Oregon alder, western alder, and Pacific coast alder. Its range runs roughly from 34° N in southern California to 60° N in southeastern Alaska, usually within about 200 km (125 miles) of the ocean and below about 750 m (2,400 feet). Isolated populations occur in northern Idaho. These range figures come from the Forest Service’s 1990 species account, not from a current inventory.
The tree is mainly associated with lowland coastal climates. It seldom grows east of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington or the Sierra Nevada in California. Farther inland and in the drier southern parts of its range, it is more likely to occur beside streams or in other places with reliable moisture.
Where does red alder grow?
Red alder grows across a range of soil types, from well-drained sands and gravels to poorly drained clays and organic soils. Deep, well-drained loams and sandy loams—often alluvial—are favorable, though good stands also occur on some residual and colluvial volcanic soils. The tree can tolerate poor drainage and some seasonal flooding, but droughty conditions restrict it; moisture during the growing season is important.
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#1 Best Overall
- Botanical Name : Alnus rubra
- Length : Available in 12 to 48 inches
- Width : Available in 1-1/2 to 6 inches
- Thickness : 1/8 to 3/4 inches
- Dried : Yes, Kiln Dried
Disturbance helps explain why alder stands are often found in open or recovering areas. Logging, fire, landslides, and other disturbances can expose mineral soil where seedlings establish readily. Red alder is shade-intolerant, so in a mixed forest it generally needs to retain a place in the upper canopy to persist.
How to recognize red alder
Look for a deciduous tree with broad, oval leaves, male catkins that release pollen in early spring, and small, reddish, dangling cone-like fruits that dry in autumn. The dry fruits are woody structures rather than true cones. These features can help distinguish red alder from other trees, but they are not a guarantee of identification in every location or season.
Rank #2
- Wood Name: Red alder, western red alder
- Botanical Name: Alnus rubra
- Length: Available in 12 to 48 inches
- Width: 6 inches
- Thickness: 3/4 inches
Red alder can be difficult to distinguish from white alder where their ranges meet. Summer leaf characteristics are useful; winter identification may depend on subtler details and an identification key. If a precise identification matters, use a regional field guide or key rather than relying on one feature alone.
Why red alder is common after disturbance
Red alder is a fast-growing pioneer that takes advantage of openings and exposed mineral soil. Its shade intolerance means it does best while it has access to light; as neighboring trees overtop it, alder can lose its position in the canopy. The USDA Forest Service account estimates that it matures at about 60 to 70 years and typically reaches a maximum age of about 100 years. Oregon State University’s wood center describes mature trees as typically 70 to 120 feet tall, with 130 feet as a stated maximum. These are source-reported figures, not predictions for an individual tree or site.
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- Wood Name: Red alder, western red alder
- Botanical Name: Alnus rubra
- Length: Available in 12 to 48 inches
- Width: 6 inches
- Thickness: 3/4 inches
Its roots form nodules associated with Frankia, a soil bacterium that fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Nitrogen can enter the soil through root and nodule activity, foliage leaching, and decomposing litter. This ecological role is one reason alder can influence the soils and plant communities around a stand.
The Forest Service’s 1990 account reports historical study results of maximum annual nitrogen fixation of 320 kg/ha (290 lb/acre) in pure stands and 130 kg/ha (120 lb/acre) in mixed stands. The figures came from different measurement approaches, and reported rates vary with site and stand age. They are not fixed rates for every red alder stand.
Rank #4
- Wood Name: Red alder, western red alder
- Wood Name: Red alder, western red alder
- Length: Available in 12 to 48 inches
- Width: 6 inches
- Thickness: 3/4 inches
What is red alder wood used for?
Red alder wood is moderately dense and even-textured. Documented uses include furniture, cabinets, trim, paneling, veneers, plywood, pulp, and fuelwood. For construction and interior finish work, its most relevant applications are wood products such as cabinet components, trim, paneling, and veneer or plywood. The cited sources establish these categories of use; they do not establish current local availability, grades, dimensions, or prices for red alder lumber.
When specifying or buying boards, confirm that the supplier’s product is actually red alder and check the grade, dimensions, moisture condition, and intended application against your project requirements. A species-level description alone does not tell you whether a particular board is suitable for a structural or finish use.
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Best Value
- Perfectly Kiln Dried
- Two sides sanded to 3/4" thickness
- Beautiful Grain
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