Red Alder
Alnus rubra · Hardwood · North America
Properties
| Janka hardness | 590 lbf (2,624 N) |
|---|---|
| Average dried weight (est.) | 26 lb/ft³ (410 kg/m³) |
| Specific gravity | 0.41 |
| Modulus of rupture | 9,800 psi (67.6 MPa) |
| Modulus of elasticity | 1.38 million psi (9.52 GPa) |
| Crushing strength | 5,820 psi (40.1 MPa) |
| Shrinkage — radial | 4.4% |
| Shrinkage — tangential | 7.3% |
| Shrinkage — volumetric | 12.6% |
| Shrinkage T/R ratio | 1.7 |
Values at 12% moisture content, clear-wood averages. Source: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook FPL-GTR-282 (2021), Table 5–3b p. 5–9; shrinkage Table 4–3 p. 4–8.
Red alder is the principal commercial hardwood of Oregon and Washington (specific gravity 0.41, Janka hardness 590 lbf), a moderately light wood that is intermediate in most strength properties. It is used chiefly for furniture, sash and door panel stock, and millwork.
Appearance & grain
Freshly cut red alder is almost white, and the wood deepens to a pale pinkish brown. There is no visible boundary between the heartwood and the sapwood.
Workability
The Handbook rates red alder's shrinkage as relatively low, but its shock resistance is also low. The wood is moderately light and sits in the middle range for most mechanical properties.
Common uses
- Furniture
- Sash and door panel stock
- Millwork
Conservation: IUCN Red List: Least Concern (checked 2026-10-24).
