Common Names: live edge cherry, black cherry, American cherry
Short Description: A cherry tree grows from 50 to 100 ft tall with a trunk diameter of 3 to 5 ft. The wood has a fine and even texture. Its grain is mostly straight, except for those special ones with curly grains.
Country of Origin: parts of Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio
Color: light pinkish brown heartwood that darkens to medium reddish brown over time; pale yellow sapwood
Janka Scale Hardness: 950 lbf (4230 N)
Average Weight: 35.0 lbs/ft3 (560 kg/m3)
Common Uses: fine furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, veneer, flooring, turning
What Is Cherry Wood?
American black cherry (Prunus serotina) is the primary source of cherry wood. The tree is also fruit-bearing, which means people can enjoy jelly and jams from it. However, the black cherry fruit is different from the sweet cherries found in supermarkets and should not be confused with it.
Live edge cherry wood slabs are prized for its fantastic color that changes over time after light and oxygen exposure. The color varies greatly from one cherry wood to another. Thus, the appearance of a live edge cherry slab will differ from another slab coming from the same tree. These color differences make each cherry wood slab more special since no two slabs will look alike after the change in hues.
Cherry wood begins to change its color during the first six months of exposure to light. It starts with a golden or pinkish tone when freshly cut. It will change to a rich reddish-brown hue over the years. To achieve the darker color faster, you can expose it to natural light as much as possible.
Two Main Types of Cherry
Cherry trees have several species, but two of their main types are
Black Cherry
The cherry wood you most likely see in lumber yards is sourced from black cherry trees. The tree grows abundantly in the eastern United States. This hardwood has a Janka value higher than mahogany, cedar, and pine but lesser than walnut, maple, oak, and ash.
Sweet Cherry
The wood from sweet cherry is very rare since the tree is cultivated mainly for its fruits. Sweet cherry is also a smaller tree than black cherry. Hence, it does not produce as much timber as black cherry. However, it is harder, with an 1150 lbf rating on the Janka scale compared to black cherry’s 950 lbf .
Where Is Live Edge Cherry Sourced?
American black cherry grows abundantly in Pennsylvania and New York. It also extends west In the United States, cherry trees grow in Texas, eastern Nebraska, and Oklahoma. They also proliferate east to central Florida, south to Iowa, and into eastern Minnesota.
How to Distinguish Real Live Edge Cherry Slab?
It might be difficult to distinguish a live edge cherry slab from other live edge wood slabs because of its color variations. However, the most common trait of every cherry slab is its gold to pinkish heartwood, which gets darker with age. The sapwood is creamy white. It has a smooth texture and straight grain. It may also have small gum pockets and brown pith flecks, just like in maple.
What to Look for When Buying Live Edge Cherry Slab?
Apart from its appearance, you must ask the salesperson how the live edge cherry slab was dried. It should be dried for one year for every inch of thickness. You should also check if it’s flattened and if it’s finished. If using it for a counter or table, ask what finish was used to seal the wood and if it is food-grade. Otherwise, you cannot use it as a kitchen counter.
Maintenance and Care Tips of Cherry Wood
Maintenance of cherry wood is typically the same as other live edge slabs. Use a microfiber towel when cleaning. It should be dusted as frequently as possible with a damp microfiber towel followed by a dry one. Make sure to buff the cherry wood along its grain.
It is also essential to use natural cleaning products, such as vinegar diluted in water. One can use olive oil for a shinier piece of live edge cherry wood slab.
FAQs
Is cherry a good option for outdoor furniture?
Though cherry is known as an all-around wood for workability, durability, and decay resistance, it is not meant for outdoor furniture. Even if you can achieve a darker and richer color after the wood’s exposure to natural light, other outdoor elements, such as rainwater, can damage it.
Is cherry wood expensive?
The price range of cherry wood varies depending on its grade. A premium-grade live edge cherry slab can be more expensive than maple and oak. However, cherry is most likely cheaper than mahogany and teak.
Is cherry toxic?
While the wood itself is harmless, breathing in the sawdust may result in respiratory symptomssuch as wheezing.
How workable is cherry?
Cherry has a high workability rate, making it a popular wood for many uses. It works well with machines, glues, and nails. It also dries quickly. But, issues may arise during staining. That is why it is recommended to use a gel-based stain.
Where to Buy Live Edge Cherry
There is an overabundance of supply of cherry wood in the market. However, there is a problem with getting a faux cherry live edge slab because of the increasing demand for this popular wood. That is why you need to deal with a reliable lumber company with a clean reputation, such as Alderfer Lumber Company Inc.
Our company has been in the business since 1993. We are proud to say that we have the expertise in identifying different kinds of wood to ensure that we provide our clients with the accurate wood they need. We don’t sell fake wood; we only reserve the best natural wood slabs for you!
You can contact us here to check for a live edge cherry slab or any other wood slabs in our inventory; you can contact us here.
