How hard is alder wood?
Alder is classified by botanists as a hardwood because the tree loses its leaves in winter. However, it is not a physically hard wood such as maple or hickory. Most people would rate is as moderately soft, on the order of common pine or fir. It is softer than oak, cherry, or walnut. It will dent more easily that these woods, but the knotty and rustic character of alder hides most minor damage. We do not recommend using alder flooring in high traffic or commercial applications.
