We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.
Scientific Name: Prunus serotina
Other common names: Black cherry, cabinet cherry
Growing regions: The Eastern half of the United States, plus Arizona and New Mexico; and Mexico and Canada
Tree Characteristics: Moderate size, reaching 70 feet in height, with a trunk about 20 inches in diameter
Wood Characteristics: Heartwood varies from rich red to reddish-brown with narrow brown flecks and some small gum pockets. Hard, straight grain with smooth texture. Moderately strong and durable, can be steam-bent
Workability: American cherry works well with hand and machine tools. It has a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. The wood is good for turning. It glues, nails and screws well
Common uses: Furniture, turnery, pattern making, joinery, musical instruments, tobacco pipes, cabinet making and decorative veneer
Availability: Easily obtainable in a wide variety of thicknesses
Wood movement: There is medium movement in service
Finishing characteristics: Cherry has a tendency to blotch when stained, but can be polished to an excellent finish. The heartwood darkens with age, even after the finish is applied
Special features: The timber has good wood bending properties
End grain
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
