Alder is a genus of trees and shrubs of the Birch family, uniting about 50 species. Nine of them grow in Russia.
A
the real distribution of the tree in our country are the regions of the Urals and Western Siberia, as well as the North Caucasus.
The most important for the national economy is the Alder black (Alder sticky, or European). The trees reach a height of about thirty meters, the trunk diameter can reach 60 cm. The tree bark is dark brown with cracks. Freshly cut tree is white. Under the influence of air, the color of the alder changes to a darker (dark yellow or yellow-red). The wood texture has a fairly uniform structure. The core and sapwood of wood do not differ in color. In order for an interesting alder pattern to appear, it must be treated with transparent varnish or stain. After that, the color of alder acquires a more noble, and is able to imitate expensive wood species.
According to the international standard DIN 4076, black alder wood has a short designation "ER". In terms of safety margin, alder is in no way inferior to conifers, but surpasses linden and aspen.
Alder wood is highly resistant to water, which is why it is widely used in underground and underwater construction. For example, piles were created from alder that hold the foundations of most structures in old Amsterdam. Alder wood is widespread in the national economy.
Alder - wood in demand. It is in demand in the manufacture of furniture, as it is able to imitate the structure of mahogany. Today, alder fashion is returning, so many manufacturers have begun to make furniture boards from it.
Alder wood is also used in other areas. Charcoal is made from it, bark is used for coloring leather and fur products. Cones are widespread in folk medicine. Alder wood is ideal for carving. It is perfectly processed both manually and on lathes, so the alder has become widespread in the manufacture of a variety of household utensils: from handles for mops to frames for paintings and photographs.
Alder is also used for the manufacture of peeled or planed veneers . Color "alder" - one of the most popular for home furniture. Polishing, varnishing such furniture will not cause much trouble, it is easy to care for.
It should be remembered that in the case of contact between wet wood and iron, the color of the alder changes: dark spots appear on it. Iron at the same time rusts. Also contact with cement is harmful for alder: wood deteriorates and loses its properties. Otherwise, alder wood is quite unpretentious in care and resistant to external influences.
Due to its widespread use, various species of alder are rapidly felled, so it is listed in the Red Books of Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Omsk Region and the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature - endangered species are included in it.