Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Black Cherry is one of the most prized North American cabinet woods, renowned for its rich reddish-brown color that deepens with age and exposure to light. It machines and finishes beautifully, making it a favorite for fine furniture and cabinetry since colonial times.
Botanical Profile
Prunus serotina is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, typically reaching 20-30 meters in height. It produces edible fruit and belongs to the rose family. The tree grows in mixed hardwood forests and is one of the most valuable commercial hardwoods in the United States.
Physical Properties
Heartwood is light reddish-brown when freshly cut, darkening to rich red-brown with age. Sapwood is pale cream to pinkish. Density averages 580 kg/m³ with a Janka hardness of 950 lbf. Fine, even texture with straight grain. Moderately stable.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Low to moderate - generally easy on tools
Gluing Advice
Excellent gluing properties
Finishing
Excellent - takes stain and finish beautifully, darkens with UV
Steam Bending
Good steam bending characteristics
Historical Context
Black Cherry has been used for furniture since the 18th century. Colonial craftsmen valued it for case pieces and veneer. It remains a premier cabinet wood, often chosen for its warm color and excellent working properties.
Technical Specs
Sustainable - abundant in North American forests