Origin
Eastern North America, Midwest
Janka Hardness
950 lbf
Average Weight
2.92 lbs/bf
Color
Heartwood is light pinkish brown when freshly cut, deepening to medium reddish brown with age and light exposure; wide sapwood is pale yellowish; boards commonly include some sapwood along outer edges.
Working Characteristics
- Excellent all-around workability
- stable, straight-grained, and machines well
- staining may produce blotchy results — a sanding sealer or gel-based stain is recommended
- sapwood is common and may increase material wastage.
Species Specifications
| Botanical Name | Prunus serotina |
|---|---|
| Other Names | American Cherry, Black Cherry |
| Origin | Eastern North America, Midwest |
| Average Weight | 2.92 lbs/bf |
| Janka Hardness | 950 lbf |
| Pore Structure | semi-ring-porous to diffuse-porous |
| Grain / Texture | Typically straight grain, with curly figure available on select pieces; fine, even texture with moderate natural luster. |
| Rot Resistance | Heartwood rated very durable and decay resistant; not commonly used in exterior applications. |
Hardness Compared to Other Woods
See where American Cherry, Black Cherry falls on the Janka hardness scale compared to other familiar hardwoods.
Softer
Harder
Basswood
410
Cherry
950
Walnut
1010
Red Oak
1290
Hard Maple
1450
Hickory
1820
Purpleheart
2520
The Janka hardness rating measures resistance to denting and wear. Higher numbers generally indicate a harder, denser wood.
Technical Properties
| Shrinkage | Radial: 3.7%, Tangential: 7.1%, Volumetric: 11.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.9 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Rupture | 12,300 lbf/in2 |
| Elastic Modulus | 1,490,000 lbf/in2 |
| Crushing Strength | 7,110 lbf/in2 |
Why Woodworkers Choose Capital Hardwood
Carefully Selected
We prepare boards with real woodworking projects in mind.
Surfaced Four Sides
S4S lumber saves shop time and is ready for your next project.
Ships Nationwide
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Real Woodworkers
We know these materials because we work with them every day.