Black cherry wood, also known as Prunus serotina, is a beautiful and versatile North American hardwood that is cherished for its reddish-brown color and smooth texture. While it may not be as well known as oak or maple, black cherry has many excellent qualities that make it suitable for a wide range of applications.
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What is Black Cherry Wood?
Black cherry is a deciduous hardwood tree native to eastern North America. It grows throughout much of the eastern United States and Canada, ranging from Nova Scotia down to Florida and as far west as Texas. The trees can grow quite large, sometimes reaching heights of 100 feet or more.
Black cherry is part of the Rosaceae family, which includes other fruit trees like apricots, peaches, plums, and cherries. The “black” designation refers to the maturity of the heartwood, which develops a dark reddish-brown color as it ages. When first cut, the wood has a lighter pinkish hue.
Appearance and Properties
When finished, black cherry wood has a rich, reddish-brown color that deepens over time. It has a straight grain with a fine, even texture. The wood develops a natural luster and high polish. Black cherry is considered a hardwood, with moderate density, hardness, and stiffness. It has good stability when properly dried.
The reddish tones and smooth grain of black cherry make it aesthetically pleasing. However, the wood also has many practical merits that make it suitable for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, musical instruments, and other uses.
Uses of Black Cherry Wood
Thanks to its attractive appearance and versatile working properties, black cherry is used for a wide variety of applications. Here are some of the most common uses of black cherry wood:
Furniture
The rich hues and smooth texture of black cherry make it an exceptionally attractive wood for furniture. It is commonly used for cabinets, tables, beds, chairs, and other furniture pieces. The wood stains and finishes beautifully, allowing the natural reddish tones to shine through. Black cherry adds an elegant touch to Mission style and Shaker style furniture.
Flooring
Black cherry makes a classic and durable wood flooring option. Its hardness wears well under foot traffic while still being relatively easy to refinish. The smooth grain and warm hues give black cherry floors a distinctive look.
Architectural Woodwork
For trim, paneling, doors, and other architectural details, black cherry is an excellent choice. Its stability and smooth texture allow for detailed millwork. The heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and insects, making it suitable for both interior and exterior uses.
Cabinetry
The rich coloration, hardness, and ability to take on a fine polish make black cherry a frequently used wood for cabinets and built-ins. It is especially popular for kitchen cabinets, enhancing the aesthetics of the space.
Musical Instruments
Black cherry is used in making high-end acoustic guitars, producing a full, bright sound. It is also used for woodwind instruments like clarinets and oboes. The wood’s tonal qualities and beauty make it a choice material for fine musical instruments.
Turning and Carving
With practice, black cherry can be turned on a wood lathe into objects like bowls, pens, table legs, and spindles. The fine grain holds excellent detail for carving decorative objects. It is a popular wood for woodworking hobbyists.
Veneer
Thin slices of black cherry can be produced for decorative veneering on furniture, panels, and other surfaces. This allows the attractive appearance of the wood to be applied as a finishing touch.
Advantages of Black Cherry Wood
What makes black cherry such a versatile and valued wood? Here are some key benefits that make it a standout choice for many applications:
Appearance
The rich reddish-brown heartwood is the star quality of black cherry. The coloration and smooth, straight grain create an attractive look, whether stained, painted, or left natural.
Workability
Black cherry has moderate density and hardness. It also has a fine, even texture. These attributes make it relatively easy to saw, sand, shape, and otherwise work using both hand and power tools.
Durability
The heartwood has natural decay resistance, rated as very durable. It is also resistant to insect attacks. With proper maintenance, black cherry wood items can last for generations.
Stability
Once dried, black cherry wood remains dimensionally stable. This minimizes warping and checking, making the wood retain its shape.
Availability
Black cherry is one of the few native North American hardwoods that is still readily available at reasonable prices. Sustainable forestry practices enable continued commercial harvesting.
Finishing
The wood accepts stains and finishes beautifully. The smooth grain provides an ideal canvas to enhance the natural color and luster through finishing.
Disadvantages of Black Cherry Wood
While black cherry has many merits as a woodworking material, it does have a few disadvantages to consider:
Density
Black cherry is considered moderately dense. Harder woods like maple may be better suited for applications requiring maximum hardness and durability.
Availability of Large Stock
Although black cherry wood is widely available, logs and boards over 10 inches in width are becoming less common. Access to wide stock may be limited for projects like large tabletops.
Staining Variability
The color of black cherry can vary considerably across different trees and cuts of lumber. Test staining on scraps first to ensure uniform coloring.
Difficult Drying
Black cherry can be somewhat tricky to properly kiln dry. Improper drying can lead to defects like checking and warping. Using correctly dried stock is advised.
Limited Bending
While black cherry is suitable for some curved components, it does not bend easily without risk of breaking. Other woods like maple have better bending capacity.
Expense
In comparison to other domestic hardwoods, black cherry tends to be on the pricier side. The high demand contributes to costs.
How to Care for Black Cherry Wood Furniture and Flooring
To keep your black cherry pieces looking their best for years to come, follow these care tips:
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Excess light exposure can cause fading and color changes over time. Position cherry wood furniture and flooring away from direct sunlight streaming through windows.
Control Humidity
Keep relative humidity levels between 45-55%. Use dehumidifiers or humidifiers as needed to prevent the wood from becoming too dry or damp.
Clean and Polish
Dust frequently using a clean, dry cloth. Only use gentle cleaners formulated for wood furniture or floors when needed. Polish with beeswax or furniture oil to nourish the finish.
Refinish When Required
Periodically check your floors and furniture for signs of wear on the finish. Refinish scratched or worn areas to maintainprotection.
Repair Damage Promptly
Fix any nicks, gouges or scratches right away. Match the existing stain color when touching up to camouflage repairs.
Avoid Excess Moisture
Immediately wipe up spills and splashes of water. Do not place houseplants directly on cherry furniture, as overflow water can damage the finish.
| Black Cherry Wood Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Other Common Names | Wild cherry, rum cherry |
| Botanical Name | Prunus serotina |
| Average Dried Weight | 36 lbs/ft3 (575 kg/m3) |
| Color/Appearance | Rich reddish-brown heartwood with pale sapwood |
| Grain | Straight, fine, evenly textured |
| Rot Resistance | Very durable, resistant to decay |
| Workability | Good machinability, turns and finishes well |
| Common Uses | Furniture, cabinets, flooring, instruments |
Conclusion
Black cherry may lack the level of fame enjoyed by woods like oak and maple, but it possesses outstanding merits in its own right. The rich reddish-brown heartwood has both beauty and durability. Black cherry has long been valued in woodworking and continues to be readily available. Its many positive attributes make it suitable for furniture, flooring, instruments, cabinetry, architectural millwork, and a variety of other applications. While it does have some limitations in certain mechanical properties, black cherry remains an excellent woodworking material across numerous uses. If you appreciate visual appeal along with practical performance, black cherry is a wood well worth considering.