Know your Wood: The Difference Between Cherry and Alder
July 21, 2015
High quality stains have allowed craftsman and interior designers to disguise wood as other species. A simple stain treatment can make the wood appear darker and more characteristic of a different species while making it difficult to determine differences in types of wood. Two species frequently mistaken for one another are cherry and alder.
Traditional Kitchen by Denver Kitchen & Bath Designers Kelly Cross via Houzz
Once you understand the inherent differences of the two species it is easy to differentiate between the two. Cherry A distinguishing feature of black cherry wood is the presence of pitch pockets, short black streaks that resemble resin deposits. Cherry also has small brown circles called pin knots within the wood grain. It features a radiant effect called chatoyance that describes the way light appears to shoot across the grain. Alder Prominent in the Pacific Northwest, red alder features a highly consistent grain that provides little to no pattern variety. It features a quiet and subtle color that unstained appears as a neutral or a simple backdrop for bolder design. Red alder may have pin knots, but won’t feature any gum spots. To learn more about distinguishing between different species of wood contact us at Art for Everyday.