Alnus

Alnus (Alder) wood is generally of low to medium weight for a hardwood, with relatively soft wood
 * Alder species have good dimensional stability, workability, and finishing properties
 * Alder species look very similar and feature heartwood that’s light tan to reddish brown, darkening with age
 * There is no visible distinction between heartwood and sapwood
 * Large aggregate rays appear as occasional small streaks on the face grain that can be mistaken for defects in the wood
 * The defining characteristic of Alnus species is its large, very sporadically occurring aggregate rays
 * On the face grain of the wood, the rays may be mistaken for occasional defects in the wood
 * Except for oak species (Quercus genus), alder stands as one of the few temperate species in the northern hemisphere that has aggregate rays.