Sweet Cherry
Prunus avium
Sweet Cherry is a prized European hardwood known for its elegant reddish-brown color that deepens with age and exposure to light. It is a favorite for fine furniture and cabinetry, offering a fine texture and excellent workability that rivals American Black Cherry.
Botanical Profile
Prunus avium is a deciduous tree native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It reaches 15-32 meters in height and produces the edible cherries sold commercially. The tree is grown for both fruit and timber.
Physical Properties
Heartwood is light reddish-brown when freshly cut, darkening to a rich reddish-brown with age. Sapwood is pale cream. 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
Good gluing properties with most adhesives
Finishing
Excellent - takes stain and polish beautifully, darkens with oil
Steam Bending
Good steam bending characteristics
Historical Context
Cherry has been used in European furniture making for centuries. It was particularly popular in 18th-century English and French furniture. The wood darkens beautifully with age, developing a rich patina.
Technical Specs
Sustainable - widely cultivated for fruit and timber