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European Alder Worktops

Alnus glutinosa (English: Black Alder, European Alder or Common Alder) is an alder native to most of Europe, including all of the British Isles and Fennoscandia and locally in southwest Asia.

Alnus glutinosa is a tree that thrives in moist soils, and grows under favourable circumstances to a height of 20–30 m, exceptionally up to 37 m. though often less. It is characterized by its 5–10 cm short-stalked rounded leaves 6–12 cm long The wood is soft, white when first cut and turning to pale red; the knots are beautifully mottled. Under wet conditions the wood is very durable, and it is therefore used for piles. The supports of the Rialto at Venice and many buildings in Amsterdam are of Alder wood. It is also the traditional wood burnt to produce smoked fish and other smoked foods, though in some areas other woods are more often used now. Furniture is sometimes made from the wood, as were clogs, and it supplies excellent charcoal for gunpowder and The bark is used for tanning and dyeing.