AMERICAN CHERRY American cherry is a supreme hardwood species from the U.S. hardwood forests and is unique to North America, with warm colour tones and superb finishing qualities. LATIN NAME Prunus serotina OTHER COMMON NAMES Black cherry

FOREST DISTRIBUTION

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American forest cherry trees grow principally in the northeast of the USA in mixed hardwood forests. The species is different from the many floral cherries planted throughout the world. It is a single species; the trees growing tall and often in dense stands in several U.S. states, notably Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia and West Virginia. Cherry has a relatively short rotation, taking less time to mature than other hardwoods. Much of the current resource is the result of cherry’s ability to regenerate naturally after forest fires.

MATERIAL AVAILABILITY

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Cherry from the USA is readily available as veneer and sawn lumber in a range of grades and sizes, although limited as thicker material; 10/4” (63mm) & 12/4” (75mm). The species can be subject to cycles of popularity or fashion, so that apparent shortages of dry lumber available to deliver may not reflect the substantial resource available for harvest. Cherry may be sold selected for colour, defining the amount of sap-free material or sold sap-free one face. For example, cherry boards may be sold 90/50 meaning 90% heartwood and not less than 50% heartwood on the reverse side – or sold in other specifications. Consultation with suppliers is recommended.

WOOD DESCRIPTION

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The heartwood of cherry can vary from rich red to reddish brown and darkens on exposure to light with time. The sapwood is creamy white. Although the difference between heart and sap colour is marked, this can be reduced by steaming. The wood of cherry has a fine uniform, straight and unpronounced grain with a fine smooth texture. The small brown pith flecks, pin knots and gum pockets or streaks are natural characteristics of cherry, but their occurrence varies according to region.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Cherry has medium density, with good wood bending properties, medium strength and shock resistance, but low stiffness, and can be steam bent with care. Being hard and stable when dry the wood is very easy to stain and finish to an excellent surface. It is highly prized for furniture and interior joinery. As a relatively soft species, American cherry is only suitable for flooring in areas with low traffic, such as bedrooms, or in cultures where shoes are not worn in homes – as in Asia.

0.50 Specific Gravity(12% M.C.)	5,613kg/m3 Average Weight(12% M.C.)	9.20% Average Volume Shrinkage(Green to 6% M.C.)
84.81MPa Modulus of Rupture	10,274MPa Modulus of Elasticity	49.02MPa Compressive strength (parallel to grain)
4,226N Hardness

Oiled / Un-Oiled Appearance

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PERFORMANCE

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● Cherry lumber is easy to machine, plane and turn. It glues well with good performance in screwing and nailing. It has excellent carving and moulding properties. Cherry can easily be sanded, stained and polished to a very fine and smooth finish.

● The heartwood is resistant to decay and is moderately resistant to preservative treatment.

● Users should take into account that both the heartwood of cherry can darken in tone quite quickly on exposure to light.

MAIN USES

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This sustainably managed wood from natural forests of North America, with excellent environmental credentials, is revered worldwide for its warmth of colour and fine finish. It is highly suitable for furniture, cabinet making and high class joinery. It is widely used for doors, panelling, architectural interior joinery, mouldings and kitchen cabinets, and some flooring. It is also used in certain specialist applications such as musical instruments and boat interiors.

EAXMPLE OF USE