Governors are rocking along

F ovERNoRs Bob Straub of 19 Or.non and Dan Evans of Washington ca.-n settle back and rock in colonial-style comfort now, thanks to the Northwest Hardwood Association (NHA) and a point it wanted to get across.

What the NHA wanted to show each head of state is that Western alder, the Pacific Northwest's most abundant hardwood, has risen in the last l0years to become a viable, job-producing resource that demands the attention of state forest land officials.

alder sales are significantly up compared to a few short years ago. A majority of the increased demand has come from the furniture and cabinet industries, traditionally the main outlets for the versatile hardwood.

Story at a Glance

B0CKING 0UT in style, Washington State governor Dan Evans, who will be leaving office in January 1977, relaxes back in allalder colonial style rocking chair presented to him by the Northwest Hardwood Assn. NHA president Sandy Bremner, Tacoma (r) seems t0 mirror Gov. Evans' delight in the gift. Presentation was made in 0lympia, Wa.

Proof of alder's growing popularity was delivered to the state capitals in the form of colonial-style rocking chairs, made completely from Oregon and Washington alder and demonstrating the wood's value in the furniture market.

The chairs were manufactured in Chula Vista, Ca. by Authentic Furniture Co. and then shipped to Mexico where the state seals were hand-carved into the headrests.

Once considered nothing more than a nuisance tree that stood between the logger and his prized Douglas fir, alder now figures very heavily into the furni ture and cabinet markets. The two chief reasons for its popularity are, first, the ease with which it can be worked and, second, its wide affinity for stains and finishes.

Often referred to as the "Magician of Hardwoods," alder is now finding wide use as a stained substitute to replace traditional hardwoods which are becoming less available and more expensive.

All Northwest Hardwood Association mills and wholesalers report that

Oregon and Washington governors receive rocking chairs made of locally grown alder . . gifts are p.r. move to gain recognition of alder's growing commercial influence.

A typical alder user is A. F. Lorts Co. of Phoenix, Az. The firm, which makes early American dining room furniture and roll top desks, has used alder exclusively for I I years.

Michael Lorts, v.p., is long on praise for alder's workability and stainability. He adds that because of the NHA's upgraded quality control program, he has been receiving a more uniform product from the several mills he deals with.

Visador Co. of Jasper, Tx. uses alder for pre-fab inserts that go into hollow and solid core exterior doors. Bob Hall, president, reports that alder not only shapes well but also blends better, due to its uniform color, with door wood ofother hardwood species.

The Northwest Hardwood Association is located in Portland, Or. in the Terminal Sales Bldg., 1220 S.W. Morrison,97205.