Nepalese Alder

Nepalese Alder (A. rubra pictured)

Common Name(s): Nepalese Alder, Utis

Scientific Name: Alnus nepalensis

Distribution: Southeast Asia

Tree Size: 60-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 25 lbs/ft³ (395 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .32

Hardness: 380 lb_f (1,690 N)

Rupture Strength: 7,400 lb_f/in² (51,030 kPa)

Elastic Strength: 1,200,000 lb_f/in² (8,280 MPa)

Crushing Strength: 4,900 lb_f/in² (33.8 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 2.4%, Tangential: 6.0%, Volumetric: 9.3%, T/R Ratio: 2.5

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. The overall grain pattern and appearance is similar to Birch (Betula genus)—though redder than Birch—and both genera are derived from the same family, Betulaceae.

Grain/Pore: Nepalese Alder has closed pores, and a fine, even, and straight grain.

Durability: 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. Nepalese Alder has excellent gluing, staining, and finishing properties; it also turns well and behaves similar to Black Cherry.

Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Alder in the Alnus genus has been reported to cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: No data available.

Comments: Nepalese Alder is a very fast growing tree that is native to Southeast Asia, but has been cultivated for plantation growth in a variety of tropical locations, such as Hawaii. The wood tends to be lighter and weaker than the domestic Red Alder found in the United States.

Some common uses for Nepalese Alder include: interior utility wood, plywood, boxes, crates, turned items, and firewood.

Related Species:

European Alder (Alnus glutinosa)

Red Alder (Alnus rubra)

Scans/Pictures: There are currently no pictures of this exact wood species, but a similar species within the Alnus genus is being substituted (A. rubra). If you’d like to contribute a wood sample of this specific species to be scanned, (even small pieces of veneer can be sent), please use the contact form.