Coloration

When freshly cut, Alder is white but rapidly darkens to a light brown with a reddish/yellowish cast over it due to the exposure of oxygen. Likewise, it darkens over time due to UV light and oxygen exposure. With this in mind, it's best to purchase pieces such as tables and benches altogether rather than to purchase separately because they will have a different shade to them when built from separate batches.

Since Alder is generally dark, it stains quite well with dark stains. On the contrary, it is a bit difficult to stain lighter. Amongst the Alder, Red Oak, Maple, and White Oak, Alder is the darkest of the four.

Grain

In general, the grain of Alder is straight with a uniformed, even texture, making it prized in the woodworking world. In addition, Alder is known for having large aggregate rays and plenty of knots, hence the nickname "Knotty Alder." With the abundant amount of knots, its perfect for the rustic aesthetic appeal or even the farmhouse/ranch look people are looking for in furniture. In addition, it also has a resistance to moisture, which can be perfect for the outdoors. 

 Knotty Alder