Black Cherry
Prunus serotina · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 950 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy grain with a fine, uniform texture. The cut appears to be flat-sawn with subtle cathedral patterning and occasional small pin knots.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from a rich medium brown to a deep reddish-brown, while the narrower sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. Cherry is famously known for darkening significantly over time to a deep, lustrous amber-red patina upon exposure to sunlight.
Hardness (Janka)
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot (depending on grade and width)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively fresh-milled to moderately seasoned board, estimated between 1 to 3 years old based on the light initial oxidation and mild surface wear.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices and not on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely abundant and sustainably harvested in North America.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, architectural millwork, paneling, musical instruments, turned objects, and carving.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well, though it can occasionally burn during routing or sawing if feed rates are too slow.
Finish Recommendations
Takes oil, lacquer, shellac, and polyurethane exceptionally well. A light coat of shellac or an amber oil finish enhances the rich reddish undertones and highlights the natural aging process.
Notable Features
Features distinctive gum pockets, pitch flecks, and fine brown pith flecks. It has a pleasant, mild scent when freshly cut and boasts a high degree of natural chatoyance.
