Black Cherry
Prunus serotina • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, and closed grain with a relatively smooth texture. Features a classic cathedral pattern characteristic of flat-sawn boards, with occasional small dark pitch pockets or gum streaks visible as thin black lines.
Color Description
Heartwood varies from a light pinkish brown to a deeper reddish brown. Sapwood is a pale yellowish white. The color will darken significantly with age and exposure to light, developing a rich reddish-brown patina. It has a moderate natural luster.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to very durable regarding decay resistance; heartwood is rated as resistant to rot. Moderate resistance to insect attack.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, interior trim, veneer, musical instruments (mostly wooden flutes and recorders), and specialty turned items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Canada and the United States)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $8.00 per board foot depending on region and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recently seasoned (less than 1-2 years), indicated by the light, non-oxidized pinkish-tan hue and visible machine milling marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered a highly sustainable domestic hardwood in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and sands very well. The main challenge is cherry's tendency to burn if tool edges are dull or if there is excessive friction during routing or sawing.
Notable Features
Features a faint, pleasant scent when being worked. Known for its exceptional finishing properties and predictable darkening. It contains small gum streaks which are a natural characteristic of the species.
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to oil-based finishes (like tung or linseed oil) which highlight its natural grain. Gel stains are recommended if staining is desired to prevent blotchiness. Polyurethane, lacquer, and shellac all adhere well.
Identification Confidence
High. The combination of the warm pinkish-brown color, fine closed grain, distinct cathedral pattern, and characteristic black gum streaks is diagnostic of Prunus serotina.