Black Cherry
Prunus serotina • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, and closed grain with a smooth texture; shows light cathedral patterning and occasional small pith flecks or gum pockets (dark streaks).
Color Description
Heartwood is a light pinkish brown when freshly cut, darkening to a medium reddish-brown with age and light exposure; sapwood is pale yellowish-white. It has a high natural luster.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Heartwood is rated as very durable and resistant to decay, though it is not particularly resistant to insect attack.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneers, turned objects, musical instruments (piano keys), and small specialty wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (from Eastern Canada to Florida and west to the Dakotas and Texas).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely processed within the last 5-10 years based on the relatively light oxidation and clean, surfaced edges.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered a sustainable domestic hardwood with FSC options.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; planes and sands easily. It glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can be prone to burning if router bits are dull or speeds are too high.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, pleasant scent when being worked; known for its dramatic darkening (patina) over time; the fruit is used for flavoring but the leaves/twigs contain cyanogenic glycosides and are toxic to livestock.
Finish Recommendations
Responds beautifully to oils (boiled linseed or tung oil) which highlight its natural luster; also takes shellac, lacquer, and wipe-on polyurethanes very well.
Identification Confidence
High; the warm reddish-pink hue, closed grain texture, and characteristic dark gum streaks are definitive markers of Prunus serotina.