100 years ago, when I was in high school, my brother and I used to clear Alder off land for houses. We then cut the logs 8' long and drove them to an Arlington, Washington specialty mill where they were kiln dried and cut into stock size. Then they were hauled to the "Tacoma Chair Company" where they were made into fine furniture framing. The knickname, at that time, for our "Alder" was "Western Red Maple."

Once kiln dreid and pre-sized, the wood was a very stable furniture wood ... burned great also. bob(deckman)nelson ... who still burns alder today.