Cherry

Species Detail

The Basics

Cherry is a supreme hardwood species from the U.S. hardwood forests and is unique to North America, with warm color tones and superb finishing qualities.

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 color 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.

Scientific Name

Prunus serotina

Also Known As

Cherry, Black Cherry

Avg. Board Length

Avg. Dried Weight

2.9 lbs/bdft

6’ – 14’

4” – 10”

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4

Avg. Board Width

Common Thicknesses

Species

Overview

Where It Comes From

Growth

Distribution

Cherry trees grow principally in the northeast of the United States 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.

FIA data shows U.S. cherry growing stock is 423.6 million m3, 2.9% of total U.S. hardwood growing stock. American cherry is growing 10.3 million m3 per year while the harvest is 4.9 million m3 per year. The net volume (after harvest) is increasing by 5.4 million m3 each year. U.S. cherry growth exceeds harvest in all the main producing states.

Cherry 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).

0-4K

4-8K

8-12K

12-16K

16-20K

20-24K

Volume of live trees on forest land, 1000 m³

Uses

Common

Applications

This sustainably managed wood from natural forests of North America, with excellent environmental credentials, is revered worldwide for its warmth of color 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.

Hardwood cherry accents in a large concert hall.

Staircase accents made from hardwood cherry.

Finishes

Finding the

Right Finish

Species Variations

Vibrance in

Variation

Cherry is highly valued for its rich, warm hues and smooth grain, featuring notable variations between its heartwood and sapwood that cater to different aesthetic preferences and applications. The heartwood of cherry is known for its deep, reddish-brown color that darkens gracefully with age and exposure to light, offering a luxurious, classic look. In contrast, the sapwood is considerably lighter, ranging from pale yellow to creamy white, providing a stark visual contrast that can be used to create striking designs. These natural color variations in cherry make it a versatile choice for fine furniture, cabinetry, and woodworking projects where the beauty of the wood can be showcased to complement both traditional and contemporary styles.