Alder wood

Andean alder is a fast-growing tree that’s sometimes grown on plantations. The wood is quite soft, but is still acceptably strong for light construction and utility purposes.

This species was formerly thought to be only a subspecies of Mexican alder (Alnus jorullensis)—the two trees yield very comparable lumber. Andean alder one of the only Alnus species that’s found in the Southern Hemisphere (most notably, as the common name suggests, in the Andes Mountains).