Black Cherry
Prunus serotina • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, and closed grain with a uniform texture. Features a rift-sawn to quartersawn appearance in this specific cut, exhibiting subtle figure and minimal pore visibility.
Color Description
Heartwood varies from rich red to reddish-brown; sapwood is creamy white to light yellow. This sample shows a warm tan-gold which will darken significantly to a deep reddish-brown upon exposure to UV light. Medium luster.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to very durable regarding heartwood decay resistance; sapwood is susceptible to insect attack. Excellent dimensional stability.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, interior trim, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or surfaced. The light color suggests it hasn't been exposed to light for long (low oxidation), and the sharp edges indicate recent machining.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both machine and hand tools. It planes, glues, and nails well. Main challenge is a tendency to burn if saw blades are dull or feed rates are too slow due to high gum content.
Notable Features
Mild, aromatic scent when being worked; contains small pitch pockets (gum spots) which are a natural characteristic of the species.
Finish Recommendations
Takes all finishes well. Recommended: Clear oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) to enhance the natural darkening process, or shellac/lacquer for a high-end furniture look. Use a wood conditioner if staining to avoid blotchiness.
Identification Confidence
High. The fine, closed-grain texture combined with the specific light-tan hue and visible end-grain structure is characteristic of Prunus serotina.