Adrian Legg begins a dictionary of timber. Phone lines are now open for anyone who can suggest a tree beginning with Z.

A IS FOR ALDER

— family Betulaceae, hardwood.

Red alder grows in Oregon, Washington, and on the Pacific side of Colombia. It is a smaller tree than both European and Japanese alder, growing to a maximum of about 15 metres high and a diameter of just under ⅓ metre, though all three densities are roughly the same at about 530 kilos per square metre (a standard measurement in the timber trade). The Japanese call it hannoki, there the tree grows up to a ½ metre thick, and the colour of the wood is a redder brown than the American or European. If you strip an American alder Strat, you could find it quite yellow, but this isn't a totally reliable guide to source.

Beware the Japanese words hinoki or honoki, a blip on a telex line could change an entire brand specification to cypress or magnolia, respectively. Japanese alder may have more knots in it, with some darker lines lengthways.

Black or Common alder is common in the damp old UK, happiest in loam near wooded hills or alongside streams.

The wood of all three dries easily without undue splitting or warping problems, and is easy to work and finish. Although it is regarded as perishable (less than 5 years life in contact with the ground) it is OK under water and has been used for sluice gates. It seems you may keep your Strat in the bath. It's not a very exclusive wood I'm afraid, other uses include broom handles and clogs.

A is also for ash — family Oleaceae, hardwood. My brother-in-law is called Ash; he too is European, pale with a pink tint, and can vary in density. During the ensuing family row, I may tell you that quality can vary considerably, depending on how good the ground was.

Good quality American white ash and European ash are straight-grained, tough and flexible, and famous for axe and hammer handles, bent furniture and Hurley sticks. European density varies from 520-odd kilos per square metre to over 800 kilos per square metre, averaging around 700. Japanese ash is lighter, generally less tough, and the heartwood (at the centre of the trunk) is darker than European. The grain can be wavy, with higher-figured stuff used for veneers.

European ash is a beautiful tree, growing up to 40 metres, with a diameter from ½-1½ metres. America has three principal and some minor species. Black (or Brown) ash, Green (or Red) ash — confusing eh? — neither of which are as strong as White (or Canadian) ash. None of these grows as tall or dense as European ash. White ash heartwood is light to reddish brown, Black ash heartwood is a darker greyish brown, and European ash can have dark heart streaks, known as olive ash. Green ash looks like White ash. Got it? A Manson brother found some much peed on European in a pub back yard, which now fronts some of their basses very beautifully indeed. Apparently it was dumped there because it wouldn't burn.

The European wood is tougher than oak and less likely to split, but nonetheless can be worked quite well. Less tough American grades are still eminently suitable for guitar bodies, but I think you get a better, brighter tone from alder.

For interest, look out for sen, used as a substitute in some guitars recently. It looks similar to Japanese ash, but is lighter and less strong.