Wild Cherry Lumber and Slabs

Wild cherry - commonly referred to as American black cherry (Prunus serotina)—is a highly prized hardwood in woodworking and furniture making. Here is a breakdown of its description and key qualities:

Description

• Color: Freshly cut heartwood is a light pinkish brown, which darkens to a rich reddish-brown with age and exposure to light.  Sapwood is pale yellow to white.

• Grain: Fine, straight grain, the wood can also have curly or wavy patterns.  The "drapery curl" pattern is also known as flaming cherry. It has a smooth, closed texture.

• Figure: May include small gum pockets, pitch streaks, and mineral deposits that add visual interest. Gum pockets are typically black streaks

• Origin: Native to eastern North America; especially abundant in the Appalachian region.

Key Qualities

Aesthetic

• Aging: Develops a deep, warm color over time, which is highly sought after.

• Finishing: Stains and finishes beautifully, often requiring minimal treatment to bring out its natural luster.  Most cherry furniture is allowed to age naturally.

Workability

• Machining: Easy to machine, plane, and turn.

• Sanding and Gluing: Excellent; holds glue well and takes fine detail.

Durability

• Stability: Dimensionally stable; minimal shrinkage or movement.

• Decay Resistance: Moderately resistant to decay; suitable for indoor use

Common Uses

• High-end furniture

• Cabinetry

• Interior trim and paneling

• Musical instruments

• Veneers

• Smoking Meats

Cherry is one of our favorite local woods.  The logs are relatively abundant in this area, from forest grown to volunteers that have reclaimed abandoned pastures and fields.  Cherry is easy to saw or slab and typically has some figure to the wood grain.  The lumber is relatively easy to kiln dry.

Cherry wood can be used to build formal, modern or rustic furniture.  The closed grain also lends itself well for serving or cutting boards. 

This month we will be highlighting wild cherry lumber and slabs!  May will have some new products and discounts on all of our cherry!