Western hardwoods: a growing force

By Dave Sweitzer Secretary/Manager Western Hardwood Association

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HE desirability of western hardI woods for a variety of wood product applications has perpetuated a supply problem that continues to challenge the western hardwood industry.

For years western alder has been the crown prince of western hardwoods, but with demand for alder exceeding the current restricted log supply, other western hardwoods are making their way into the royal family.

Those woods, primarily Pacific Coast maple, Oregon white oak, California black oak, tanoak, madrone and chinkapin, all feature unique characteristics suitable for machining and pallet and paper products manufacturing.

Dick Lambert of Lane-StantonVance Lumber Company, City of Industry, Ca., estimates 90 to 960/o of his current western hardwood business is in alder.

"Alder is definitely the big vol- ume item that we know today," says Lambert. "We move l0 to l2 loads per month for furniture frames, table manufacturing and millwork items. "

Story at a Glance

Demand for alder often exceeds supply but other western hardwoods are beginning to fill the gap ...working qualities turn "junk" trees into preferred species.

great. As far as we're concerned, it's an ideal wood."

Miller's company substitutes alder for cherry, maple and birch in early American and traditional style furniture.

Alder's workability characteristics are due to it being one of the "softer" hardwoods. Its consistent, light straight grain makes it easily finished to look like many other, more-diffi cult-to-mill hardwoods.

Calvin Miller, who operates Thunderbird Furniture in Scottsdale, Az., explains why he's "in love with alder."

"lt's very workable, it's easy to mill and it's easy to turn. Plus, its gluing and color characteristics are

Strict grading standards and the availability of alder veneer have added to the wood's desirability for manufacturing a large variety of products, ranging from exposed wood furniture to upholstered furniture frames, from cabinets to toilet seats, and even chopsticks.

It's estimated that Northwest forests currently hold 22 billion board feet of merchantable alder.

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