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Black Cherry
Prunus
is a genus of
120 to 400 species that contain fruitwoods like cherry, plum and almond.
The species are native to North America, Asia, Europe and the
Mediterranean region. All species look alike microscopically. The word prunus
is the classical Latin name for the cherry tree.
Prunus serotina-American cherry,
black wild cherry, cabinet cherry, chisos wild cherry, Edwards Plateau
cherry, escarpment cherry, gila chokecherry, mountain black cherry, rum
cherry, southwest choke cherry, southwestern chokecherry, wild black
cherry, wild cherry, whisky cherry
Distribution
Cherry is found in the eastern half of
the United States, from the plains to the Atlantic Ocean and from the
Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. It also occurs in high elevations in
Mexico.
The Tree
The tree reaches a height of 100 ft (30
m), with a diameter of 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m). It is shrubby under poor
growth conditions and at the northern limit of its range. It does best on
the rich, moist soil of the Appalachians.
The Wood
General
The sapwood is light yellow, while the
heartwood is brownish with a greenish tinge, darkening upon exposure to a
deep reddish brown with a golden luster. The wood has a mild, aromatic
scent, but no characteristic taste. It is of medium density, firm, and
strong, with a fine, uniform texture. The grain is generally straight.
Mechanical Properties (2-inch standard)
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Compression |
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Specific
gravity
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MOE
x106 lbf/in2
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MOR
lbf/in2
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Parallel
lbf/in2
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Perpendicular
lbf/in2
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WMLa
in-lbf/in3
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Hardness
lbf
|
Shear
lbf/in2
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| Green |
0.47 |
1.31 |
8,000 |
3,540 |
360 |
12.8 |
660 |
1,130 |
| Dry |
0.50 |
1.49 |
12,300 |
7,110 |
690 |
11,400 |
950 |
1,700 |
| aWML
= Work to maximum load.
Reference (59, 98).
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Drying and Shrinkage
| Type
of shrinkage |
Percentage
of shrinkage
(green to final moisture content) |
| 0%
MC |
6%
MC |
20%
MC |
| Tangential |
7.1 |
5.7 |
2.4 |
| Radial |
3.7 |
3.0 |
1.2 |
| Volumetric |
11.5 |
9.2 |
3.8 |
References:
0% MC (98),
6% and 20% MC (90). |
Kiln Drying Schedulesa
|
Stock |
| Condition |
4/4,
5/4, 6/4 |
8/4 |
10/4 |
12/4 |
16/4 |
| Black
Cherry |
| Standard |
T8-B4 |
T5-B3 |
T5-B2 |
T3-B2 |
T3-A1 |
| Bitter
Cherry (P. emarginata) |
| Standard |
T5-B2 |
T3-A1 |
- |
- |
- |
| aReferences
(6, 86). |
Working Properties:
Cherry is easy to work, finishes
smoothly, and is dimensionally stable. It is easily machined. It can be
sawn cleanly, turned well, and planed excellently with standard cutting
angles. Screw-holding ability is good, as is gluing, except where gum
streaks are present.
Durability:
Rated as very resistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation:
No information available at this time.
Uses:
Fine furniture, printing and engraving blocks, patterns, professional and
scientific instruments, piano actions, handles, wooden ware, toys, and
specialty items.
Toxicity:
No information available at this time.
Source: US Forest Service
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