Color/Appearance: Nepalese alder tends to be a light tan to reddish brown; color darkens and reddens with age. There is no visible distinction between heartwood and sapwood. Large aggregate rays appear as occasional small streaks on the face grain that can be mistaken for defects in the wood. Grain/Texture: Grain is generally straight, with a moderately fine, uniform texture. Rot Resistance: Nepalese alder is rated non-durable to perishable regarding decay resistance, and freshly cut logs should be quickly converted into lumber and dried to prevent staining or decay in the wood. Workability: Nepalese alder is very easy to work with both hand and machine tools; it sands especially easy. The wood is rather soft, however, and care must be taken to avoid denting it in some applications. Turns, glues, and finishes well. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, alder in the Alnus genushas been reported to cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicityand Wood Dust Safetyfor more information. Pricing/Availability: No data available. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern. Common Uses: Firewood, interior utility wood, plywood, boxes, crates, and turned items. Comments: This species is known as utis in Nepal, Nepalese alder is a fast growing tree that’s native to Southeast Asia, but has been cultivated on plantations in a variety of tropical locations. |