Black Cherry
Prunus serotina • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, and closed grain. Usually easy to work. Some wavy or curly figure may be present, but looks largely straight in these log rounds.
Color Description
Heartwood starts a light pinkish brown and darkens to a deep golden reddish-brown with age and exposure to light. Sapwood is a pale yellowish white. High luster.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood rot resistance; sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneers, turned objects, and musical instruments. Highly prized for its flavor in smoking meats.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $8.00 per board foot depending on grade and regional availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut (green) within 1-3 months, indicated by the vibrancy of the inner bark and Lack of significant checking or graying on the end grain.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widespread and not listed by CITES. Widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes well, though it can be prone to burning if saws or router bits are dull.
Notable Features
Faint, pleasant almond-like scent when freshly cut. Notable for its rapid photo-reactive darkening. Contains minimal toxic resins but dust can be a mild irritant.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes or shellac are recommended to highlight the natural color change; takes stains well, but often left natural to allow for aging patina.
Identification Confidence
High. The combination of the flaky, 'burnt cornflake' bark texture, the distinct reddish-orange heartwood/cream sapwood transition, and the characteristic inner bark color are diagnostic for Prunus serotina.