Cherry wood is highly valued for its aesthetic qualities and workability in various applications. It is a popular choice for furniture, cabinetry, and flooring due to its appealing color and grain patterns. Understanding the origin and characteristics of cherry wood can help consumers appreciate this timber.
The True Source of Cherry Wood
Cherry wood primarily originates from specific types of cherry trees grown for their timber, not typically the fruit-bearing varieties found in orchards. The most common commercial source in North America is the American Black Cherry tree. This deciduous hardwood is native to the eastern and midwestern United States. While American Black Cherry trees do produce small, tart fruits, their primary cultivation is for lumber.
Other cherry species also yield timber, such as the European Cherry. This species is found across Europe. Although its wood is used in furniture and musical instruments, it is less common for large timber compared to its American counterpart. Both American Black Cherry and European Cherry are deciduous trees, and their wood is classified as hardwood.
Distinctive Qualities of Cherry Wood
Cherry wood is prized for its unique characteristics in woodworking. Its initial color is a light pinkish-brown when freshly cut. Over time, this color gradually deepens and transforms into a rich reddish-brown, developing a lustrous patina. This natural darkening process is a hallmark of genuine cherry wood.
The wood features a fine, straight grain with a smooth, satiny texture. While straight, it can sometimes exhibit waves or curls, adding visual interest. Cherry wood is moderately hard, making it durable yet highly workable. It is easily machined, sands well, and takes finishes smoothly, contributing to its popularity in furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and other decorative items.
Distinguishing Cherry Wood from Look-Alikes
Identifying authentic cherry wood can be challenging due to other woods being stained to mimic its appearance or misleadingly named. Woods like birch and alder are often stained to resemble cherry, but they lack cherry’s unique aging process and inherent grain. An example of a misnamed wood is “Brazilian Cherry,” which is actually Jatoba, a harder, denser wood unrelated to the Prunus genus.
Genuine cherry wood can be identified by several key features. Its natural color change over time, from light pink to a rich reddish-brown, is a reliable indicator. The grain of true cherry is fine and closed, without the prominent pores seen in woods like oak. Cherry wood often contains small, distinctive markings such as pitch pockets (short, dark streaks) and tiny brown circles called pin knots. These natural imperfections contribute to its character and are absent in stained imitations.