Alder is one of the high quality, base woods that, Polmac (UK) Ltd uses to manufactures many of it's wood, presentation boxes and packaging, including decorated boxes, that are custom-made to order, to our customers exact requirements!
Alder Trees
Alder trees are widespread throughout Europe and particularly in Poland, in the mountainous south of the country, where the wood is derived and can grow to 30m or more!
They are normally found on the banks of rivers and streams and in damp / cool conditions, such as marshes and wet woodland.
The wood itself has a warm, reddish brown colour, with good grain character and is relatively soft compared to most hardwoods.
Polmac, Alder Wood, Decorated Boxes
Alder wood is easily worked by hand, or machine and is not very susceptible to shrinkage or cracking after drying/curing, which is a great advantage, when making wooden boxes!
Alder wood provides an excellent base for wood staining, as an alternative to more expensive, high-grade woods!
There are a wide range of natural, wood stain finishes, including oak, mahogany and maple. Indeed, many people are amazed at the astonishing effects that natural, wood stain finishes can provide!
Natural, Wood Stain Finishes
There are also many colour stain finishes, such as red, blue, green and yellow, that provide a fresh, vibrant quality, that many people prefer.
Wood, Colour Stain Finishes
Alder wood is also an excellent wood for carving, because it can be easily worked, using hand tools, as well as wood turning machines. This means that intricate decorations and motifs can be carved into the wood, providing visually stunning effects!
In addition to presentation boxes and decorated boxes, Alder wood has many other uses, such as furniture, cabinet making, smoking salmon and clogs. It's said that if you place a few Alder leaves on the clogs, they will keep your feet cool and prevent swelling, on a long journey!
The Alder tree is thought to have other mysterious qualities. The dye from Alder tree blossom for example, produces a green dye and is said to have provided the 'Lincoln Green' colour for Robin Hood's clothing, when he was fighting the wicked Prince John, in Sherwood Forest!
When cut, Alder wood has a reddish colour, not dissimilar to the colour of blood and is thought to give the impression of 'bleeding'. For this reason, many Irish people think it's bad luck to pass an Alder tree, when they're out on their travels!
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