Black Cherry
Prunus serotina • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight-grained, although occasionally wavy. It features a fine, uniform, and smooth texture. The sample shows a flat-sawn appearance with subtle cathedral peaks and minimal gum streaks.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light pinkish brown when freshly cut, darkening to a medium reddish-brown with age and light. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. This sample shows the lighter initial tones typical of young or unexposed heartwood.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood decay; susceptible to insect attack. Excellent dimensional stability once seasoned.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, musical instruments (pianos), woodturning, and small specialty wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (largely Eastern United States and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $9.00 per board foot (USD) depending on width and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be freshly milled or recently planed kiln-dried lumber, likely under 1 year post-processing given the lack of significant oxidative darkening and UV-induced 'ripening'.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available as FSC certified and generally considered a sustainable choice.
Workability
Excellent; easy to machine and work by hand. It planes and sands very smoothly. It can be prone to burning if router bits are dull or feed speeds are too slow due to high sugar content.
Notable Features
Often contains small black gum streaks (pockets of pitch) which are a natural characteristic. It has a faint, pleasant scent when being worked.
Finish Recommendations
Takes all finishes well. Oil-based finishes are popular to enhance the natural warm color and chatoyance. Gel stains are recommended if staining, as it can sometimes be blotchy.
Identification Confidence
High. The combination of the fine-to-medium pore structure, the distinct pinkish-tan hue, the kehadiran (presence) of minor pitch marks, and its characteristically smooth surface texture is highly diagnostic for Prunus serotina.