American Cherry (Black Cherry)
Prunus serotina • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, and closed grain with a silky texture; exhibits small pith flecks and slight cathedral figure in flatsawn sections.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light pinkish-brown to deep reddish-brown, while the sapwood is creamy white. It has a high natural luster and is famous for darkening significantly and rapidly with exposure to UV light to a rich reddish-brown patina.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; heartwood is very resistant to decay, though it is susceptible to insect attack (specifically furniture beetles).
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, interior trim, veneer, musical instruments (mostly woodworking and pipes), wood turning, and small specialty wooden objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (USA and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on region and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or recently sanded; the sapwood remains very white and the heartwood has not yet developed the deep, dark oxidation typical of years of exposure.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and considered one of the most sustainable domestic hardwoods in North America.
Workability
Excellent; it is widely known as one of the best hardwoods for machining, planing, and sanding. It glues and finishes well, although it can produce blotchy results if stained without a pre-conditioner.
Notable Features
Possesses a faint, pleasant scent when being worked; contains small gum pockets (black streaks) which are a natural characteristic of the species; high shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Clear oils (linseed or tung) or shellac to highlight the natural color change; solvent-based polyurethanes work well, but avoid heavy staining to prevent blotchiness.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinct transition between the creamy sapwood and the reddish-tan heartwood, combined with the fine texture and specific grain curl/flecking, is characteristic of Prunus serotina.