It is THE wood to use for Dark Age period bowls. Dry it is not very strong or durable , but under water is a different matter hence its use in boat building and pumps. A specific use is in glass moulds as the soft carbon layer of Alder transfers little grain pattern to the hot glass. Burns slowly and steadily, a good flame with little heat, give a pleasant smell, nice white ash. The fruit is used mainly after fermentation or as jellies etc due to the bitter taste.
Pips uses for making impressions in prehistoric pottery.
Crab apples in prehistoric storage pits, may have been dried for winter food. Pot sherds on neolithic site of Windmill hill. Excellent fuel, burning well, even when green, smooth and quiet to burn, with a clear flame, giving great heat. An old country saying goes 'Ash that's green is fire for a Queen' In East Anglia Ash wood shavings were used for smoking kippers. It is useful for general carpentry and is probably the third most important timber after oak and beech.