A native to low - elevation, coastal, north western North America, This tall (to 40 m, with diameter up to 1 m), tree has been described as one of the most productive trees in North America (10 - 11 cu m/ha/yr, on a 20 - 30 year rotation). It is a very vigorous plant, able to cope with grasses and this combined with its nitrogen fixing ability makes it an ideal nurse crop. The wood, classed a softwood, is moderately soft, moderately light and moderately dense, with a fine, even texture. It is easy to work, does not tend to warp much during seasoning, glues easily and is popular for furniture and panelling despite the fact that it scars easily and wears poorly. It also pulps well and the pulp is used in the western USA, in a blend with conifer pulp to provide smoothness and softness to tissue, bond, envelope and book papers. The tree coppices well and makes a good charcoal.
Medicinal uses are similar to those of the common alder.