Originally Posted by
Dogwood
Alder of the Alnus genus is different from what is commonly referred to as Elder or elderberry trees typically of the Sambucus genus. To avoid easy confusion, a maple, Acer negundo, is often referred to commonly as Boxelder. This is why botanist and horticulturalist use botanical names rather than common names... to avoid confusion easily caused by common names. Both alder(Alnus genus) and basswood(Tilia genus) I know are used by carvers, sound instrument makers, etc.