Wood has poor heating power.
As a dyestuff, bark for red, pinky fawn from the catkins, yellow from the young shoots. It is soft and easily carved having been used commonly for carving, turning and wooden shoes. 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.