Black Cherry
Prunus serotina • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight with a fine, uniform, and satiny texture; small pin knots/gum pockets and slight cathedral patterns are visible in this specific sample.
Color Description
Heartwood varies from rich red to reddish-brown (deepening with age); sapwood is creamy white to yellow. This sample shows the characteristic warm orange-red heartwood with high luster and visible chatoyance after finishing.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; heartwood is very resistant to decay and rot, though susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, musical instruments, turned objects, and high-end kitchen utensils (like the spatula/spreader shown).
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Recently worked (0-5 years); the vibrant orange-red suggests a fresh finish on aged heartwood, but the lack of deep oxidation or wear indicates a new piece.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. FSC certification is common.
Workability
Excellent with both hand and machine tools, though it can burn if router bits or saw blades are dull; it glues, stains, and finishes very well.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint almond scent when worked; contains high levels of natural resins that can cause burning; photo-reactive wood that darkens significantly with exposure to UV light.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung oil or linseed oil) are best to pop the grain; film finishes like shellac or lacquer are traditional; food-grade mineral oil for kitchen-use items.
Identification Confidence
High; the reddish hue, presence of small dark gum streaks (pith flecks), fine grain texture, and specific luster are classic hallmarks of North American Black Cherry.