Cherry wood lumber comes from the black cherry, a species utilized for its lumber. It should not be confused with sweet cherry, which, although its timber is also used, is more widely cultivated for its fruits.
Common Trade Names: Black Cherry, Wild Black Cherry, Rum Cherry, Mountain Black Cherry
Scientific Name: Prunus serotina
Color Range: Freshly-cut cherry timber has light pinkish-brown heartwood. Aged cherry lumber may develop a medium to rich reddish-brown patina. Sapwood is wide with a pale yellow color.
Availability: Fairly rare
Janka Scale Hardness: 950 lbf (4,230 N)
Average Weight per BF: 35.0 lbs/Cu. Ft.
Common Uses: furniture, cabinetry, turning blanks, interior millwork, veneer, shiplap paneling, wood paneling, wood slat wall
What Is Cherry?
Cherry wood lumber is a strong and dimensionally stable hardwood, widely used in fine furniture and cabinetry-making. Cherry has a natural color that gets more dramatic and beautiful over time. More than its appearance and durability, carpenters and woodworkers favor it for its workability.
The uniform and straight grain of cherry wood make it more pliable to work with hand tools or machines. It also has a fine and even texture with a natural luster. Although some figured pieces have a curly grain pattern, it does not much affect their workability. Cherry can be easily shaped, molded, carved, glued, and finished well. Unlike other hardwoods, though, cherry is better left unstained and left to its original and stunning color.
Where Is Cherry Sourced From?
Prunus serotina is the largest species of cherry growing throughout the eastern parts of the United States. Many of the cherry tree varieties are acclimated to various climates but often thrive abundantly in cool, moist, and temperate regions.
The largest cherry trees can be found in the Appalachian Mountains, Pennsylvania, and New York. These deciduous trees can grow to a towering height of 60 to 100 ft and a diameter of about 4 ft.
What to Look for When Buying Cherry?
Cherry is one of the most in-demand woods for furniture making in many parts of America. It has medium density but is shock-resistant, so it is also a good choice for flooring. It is sold as cherry wood lumber or board.
When buying cherry for fine woodwork, choose top-quality lumber for it. Pick lumbers without dark spots and streaks called gum pockets or those with bigger knots.
You should also be wary of cherry wood lumber color for uniformity. When buying a board, check both faces to ensure they look similar. The lighter-color sapwood may display bands that affect the uniformity of its appearance.
Pros and Cons of Cherry Wood
Cherry is one of the most straightforward woods to handle. One of its downsides is that the wood does not stain well. However, if you have chosen uniform boards or if color variation doesn’t matter at all, staining is not necessary. Cherry looks better if left unstained, and you just let the time do wonders on it.
Pros
- Appearance
- Workability
- Durability and stability
Cons
- Hard to match colors
- Does not stain well
- Expensive
FAQs
What kind of finish is best for cherry?
Use clear and natural finishes like shellac and lacquer to protect it without altering its natural stain.
Why is cherry wood expensive?
Naturally-aged cherry takes about a hundred years to achieve its color. It also takes an effort to store the lumber to preserve that color.
Are all cherry woods the same?
Most of the wood labeled cherry may not come from the natural black cherry tree. It may come from other varieties, like the fruit-bearing sweet cherry. Specialty lumber stores can tell you the difference and authenticity of the tree the timber was sourced.
Where to Buy Cherry
Black cherry is a reasonably rare wood but may be available in specialty lumber stores. Alderfer Lumber Company Inc is one of the veritable companies to look for it.
We offer cherry lumber in different lumber grades for your needs. Cherry is one of the most sought-after wood, so its supply could deplete faster. But if you send us an inquiry today, we will sort through our inventory for the available dimensions.
If you have further questions about cherry and other lumber, feel free to call us Monday to Friday. We will be more than happy to serve you!
