All species look alike microscopically.
The word alnus is the classical Latin name of alder. Red alder is the most common hardwood in the Pacific Northwest and the largest of the American alders. The wood is diffuse porous, moderately light, and soft. Amerikaanse rode els, aliso Americano, aune d'Oregon, ontano dell'Oregon , Oregon-al, Oregon alder, Oregon erle, Pacific Coast alder, western alder. Pacific coast region from southeastern Alaska to western British Columbia and south through western Washington and western Oregon to southern California.