Cherry wood is wood that is picked from cherry trees. Cherry wood is highly valued by consumers and woodworkers. Cherry wood is the most popular wood variety among the various types of furniture made by many fine furniture manufacturers. With its tight, regular texture, ease of processing, and beautiful colors, it’s easy to see why.
What Is Cherry Wood?
The American black cherry tree (Prunus serotina) and the wild cherry tree (Prunus avium) are the two types of cherry trees that produce most of the cherry wood. The most popular woodworking tree species is black cherry.
By the time European colonists arrived, American black cherry trees had already appeared in North America. Cherry wood is known as “New England mahogany” because it turns from light brownish-pink to deep reddish-brown in the sun. It is almost indistinguishable from real mahogany.
Black cherry trees can be found all over the United States, from the northern Midwest to Texas, from the east coast of Nova Scotia all the way to northern Florida. West Virginia and Pennsylvania have the highest concentration of black cherry trees.
Quick Details of Cherry Wood
- Color: Golden-brown-pink to deep reddish-brown when exposed to sunlight
- Appearance; The texture is uniform and smooth, with a medium natural luster and a fine pore structure
- Grain: Straight grain sometimes has a corrugated character
- Rot resistance: Medium, heartwood is very resistant to rot
- Processability: Easy to process due to the straight-grained texture, easy to burn with a chainsaw, smooth surface, but more difficult to dye
- Smell: Pleasant smell
- Allergies/Toxicity: Some allergic reactions such as wheezing and dizziness can occur when exposed to sawdust
- Price: More expensive than some regular hardwoods
- Availability: Timber and veneer are in abundant supply
Characteristics of Cherry Wood
The properties of cherry wood make it a popular choice for furniture and cabinetry.
Strength
Cherry wood is a closed-cell hardwood with moderate strength and durability. It is classified as a softer hardwood. It is not as hard as other hardwoods such as hickory and oak, but it is harder than coniferous softwoods such as pine.
Color
Cherry wood color is one of the most unique qualities of wood. Its color ranges from light brownish-pink to reddish-brown. Lighter-colored wood (sapwood) is closer to the bark. Darker woods are closer to the center of the tree (heartwood).
Over time, cherry wood can develop patina due to exposure to light. The wood darkens in all areas exposed to light. This will continue even after the timber is finished. Therefore, it is ideal to expose woodwork and furniture to light in a consistent manner. After a few years of light, the rate of blackening slows down.
Texture
Cherry wood has a fine grain structure and a fine pore structure. The tight and uniform grain has an appealing appearance, and woodworkers prefer it because it makes the wood easy to cut and process. Consistent textured patterns elevate and complete the look of furniture and decorations. Cherry wood has a moderate sheen and a smooth appearance when processed. Cherry wood does not need to be dyed because the color of the wood without dyeing is attractive.
Sustainability of Cherry Wood
Black cherry, the most harvested variety of wood products, is a fast-growing hardwood. There is some illegal logging of this much-loved timber. To ensure you’re getting your timber from sustainable forests, look for certification from the Forest Stewardship Council or the Forest Certification Endorsement Scheme. If you live in the United States, you can buy locally produced products, as cherry wood is available in many regions. This reduces the overall carbon footprint of the product.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cherry Wood
Merit:
- Sturdy: Cherry wood is sturdy and durable. It is not easily scratched or dented.
- Sustainability: Cherry trees grow quickly. Seeking reliable certifications will help you find sustainable sources.
- Beautiful: Cherry wood is prized for its delicate colors and delicate textures.
- Easy to shape: Cherry wood is softer than some other hardwoods. This facilitates the use of both hand and power tools for shaping.
Shortcoming:
- Cost: Cherry wood costs more as compared to other hardwoods like maple. The price per board foot is between $3 and $8.
- Spotted stains: Cherry wood has an uneven ability to absorb stains, making it difficult for novices to stain.
- Discoloration: The color of the cherry wood changes over time. While this can be advantageous for some people, its irregularities can cause problems.
Uses of Cherry Wood
Cherry is a versatile wood variety. It is aesthetically pleasing and soft, and can be used in applications such as instruments, woodwork, marine interiors, furniture, flooring, and doors.
Cherry Wood Harp
Cherry wood is a type of sound wood. This means that it is dense enough to be a good musical tone projector. Cherry has a balanced and neutral tone. It projects low, medium, and high frequency sounds. This harp from Thormahlen Harps is made of cherry wood. It is known as the “cherry swan”.
Cherry Wood Cabinetry
Cherry wood kitchen cabinets are one of the most popular applications of cherry wood. FabCab uses cherry wood to make these flat cherry cabinets in this kitchen. Using this combination of design and wood, they created a modern, stylish, yet rustic kitchen for this cottage kitchen.
Cherry Wood Floors
Wood flooring is another popular application of cherry wood. Using cherry wood stains and different woods can get a floor of a similar color, but it will not have the same shine. Cherry wood floors have a medium shine that sparkles after polishing and finishing. The cherry wood floors in the wide plank style look gorgeous.
Cherry Wood Dresser
Modern wood craftsmen prefer to use cherry wood because of its easy-to-use texture. Due to its beautiful natural colors, cherry wood furniture is usually not stained. Vermont Wood Studios impresses with the sleek and modern design of this cherry wood dresser. It is characterized by a dark hue made of black walnut.