| Although green alder carves very well, it does have some drawbacks:
Bland - generally a pale, blond wood (though it darkens nicely). However, green Alder spalts very well.
Checking - like most green woods, it will check (or even open up into larger cracks) if allowed to dry too fast. The most important thing is to
keep the end grain sealed. Keeping your piece stored in a plasic bag can be a good way to prevent checking. But if overdone, this can lead to another
big problem...
Mold - if moisture is allowed to stay on the surface for extended periods (weeks, depending on the temperature), black areas will form. This is
not spalting, which is frequently desirable. This black mold is splatchy, very unattractive, and can quickly migrate below the surface.
*** A good way to avoid both checking and mold is to freeze the wood. Make sure to remove any standing moisture from the surface and tightly wrap the
wood in plastic, otherwise it will quickly dry and check.
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