As you know, wooden tools have always been of interest to humans, especially since this material has many applications in the art world. That is why wood is known as one of the most important elements in human life. It is enough to pay attention to all the furniture in your house, you will definitely see a trace of wood among the furniture.
Of course, to produce wooden tools, different types of wood should be used based on their color, thickness and strength. For example, do you know the usages of cherry wood and what tools can be produced, using it? Read this article carefully to know more about the characteristics of cherry wood as well as its functions.
Introducing Cherry Tree
The cherry tree is known as one of the fruit trees that is definitely cultivated in different parts of the world, such as Iran. The color of cherry trees varies, but the most popular type of cherry in the wood industry is the black cherry tree, which is mainly grown in parts of the United States as well as on the east coast. It is interesting to know that cherry wood is known as one of the best and most valuable types of wood in the industry, which is very popular due to its high strength and also its special color.
The older the cherry tree is, the darker its color will be and the more attractive it becomes. In fact, to use cherry wood in the wood industry, especially in furniture production, they wait for the color of the tree body to be darker, because in this case it has a very special beauty and will be a good option for home decoration.
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Cherry tree botanically
From a botanical perspective, the cherry tree belongs to the genus Prunus, which is a rich genus with various species in the Rosaceae family. Two species, in particular, are used for producing cherry wood and traded in Europe. They share similar appearances and characteristics: the European cherry tree (P. avium), also known as wild cherry or bird cherry, and the American cherry tree (P. serotina), which is commercially referred to as black cherry.
Cherry wood, recognized for its classic furniture, excellent technical properties, fine structure, and a reddish-brown color reminiscent of mahogany, is currently one of the most valuable woods for high-quality furniture and interior design. The high demand for cherry trees cannot be met by European trees with relatively small trunk dimensions, which is why the current commercial supply is mainly comprised of American cherry trees with more suitable sizes.
The Most Important Characteristics of Cherry Wood
Before any type of wood enters the industry, especially the furniture and home decoration industry, its characteristics must first be examined because wood is a natural material and will be strongly affected by environmental factors including heat, cold, rain and also insects. Therefore, experts in this field analyze the properties of different types of wood and then determine in which industry, for example, cherry wood should be used. The most important properties of cherry wood are:
- One of the most important and in fact the main characteristics of cherry wood is its very high durability and strength so that it will have a very high resistance to rot.
- Cherry wood has a very high paintability, which means that you can even easily change the color of the wood to your desired color in the industry. But, most carpenters and experts in the wood industry prefer not to change the color of the wood and they use only polished oil to maintain its natural beauty.
- Definitely, the hardness of cherry wood is very important for everyone. In terms of hardness, cherry wood is located in the middle place between walnut, oak and maple trees as well as pine and cypress trees. This means that the hardness of cherry wood is more than pine and cypress and less than walnut, oak and maple.
- As mentioned, cherry wood changes color over time, and this feature makes it have a special place in industries such as furniture or the production of decorative items and home decoration. Therefore, based on the desired color type, harvest time can be different. What causes the cherry tree to change color is the impact of ultraviolet rays on the body of the plant as well as the climatic conditions of the area.
- Another feature of cherry wood is the flexibility and high formability of this tree. In other words, cherry wood can be very well polished and that is why it is used for marquetry, perforation, wood carving and even for making accessories such as home decoration and furniture.
- The paintability of cherry wood is very low, which means that if you pour colored liquid on the wood, it will not remain on the wood. For this reason, cherry wood is used for veneer and even for parquet.
- Perhaps one of the most important features and advantages of cherry wood is the ability to repair this type of wood. As we know, every type of wooden device may have a problem, including breakage or scratching, and may need to be repaired. Fortunately, cherry wood can be repaired and with the help of a reliable specialist, you can easily repair it.
- If you have ever observed the cherry tree wood closely, you will notice the homogeneous and straight texture of this wood. When using cherry wood in the industry, be sure to pay attention to the direction of the lines on the pieces of wood, because, as mentioned, these lines must be in one direction. Therefore, pieces in the same direction must be placed next to each other. Experts in the industry should pay attention that the uniformity of the design on the pieces of wood is maintained when they are placed next to each other, and as a result, the final product looks beautiful.
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Woodworking machine
The uniform and fine-grained structure of cherry wood makes it easy to process with all tools. Smooth surfaces and clean edges can be produced effortlessly. Good results can be achieved with all standard surface treatment factors. Cutting, steaming, and bending the wood are easy tasks. It is also suitable for woodworking.
Drying:
Cherry wood typically dries well. Small sections may lead to warping, while larger sections can result in core splitting.
Natural Durability (DIN-EN 350-2):
The natural durability of cherry wood corresponds to classes 3 = moderately durable (P. serotina) and 4 = not very durable (P. avium) according to DIN EN 350 (not mentioned here).
Usage Areas:
Cherry wood is primarily used in high-quality interior design due to its authentic and decorative characteristics. It is employed as veneer or solid wood in furniture, parquet, ceiling and wall coverings, and it is also transformed into turned wood items and jewelry.
Alternative Blades:
Indian birch (Betula alnoides) and red alder are suitable alternatives for cherry wood.
Considerations:
By treating it with alkaline agents, you can achieve a reddish color compared to the color related to aging. Iron, copper, and brass, in combination with water, can change the color to a bluish-gray hue.
| Parameter | Value Range |
|---|---|
| Fresh Weight | 800-900 kg/m³ |
| Dry Bulk Density (12-15% moisture content in the air) | 0.52-0.60-0.70 g/cm³ |
| Compressive Strength (u12-15) | 44-55 Newton per square millimeter |
| Flexural Strength (u12-15) | 83-110 Newton per square millimeter |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Flexural, u12-15) | 9500-11000 Newton per square millimeter |
| Hardness (JANKA), converted | 6.7-7.6 kilonewtons |
| Hardness (BRINELL) to the fiber (u12-15) | 28-31 Newton per square millimeter |
| Radial Shrinkage | 0.16-0.18% |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 0.26-0.33% |
| pH Value | ≈ 4.5 |
| Natural Durability (DIN-EN 350-2) | 3 (P. serotina), 4 (P. avium) |
Certainly, here’s a more detailed translation about cherry wood:
Natural cherry wood is one of the most expensive and highly sought-after hardwoods in the world. Cherry wood exhibits a distinctive grain pattern and is known for its reddish-brown color.
The aging process, which transforms the wood from a light pinkish hue to a deep reddish-brown with a glossy patina, is what makes cherry wood highly favored for furniture.
The virtues of cherry wood have been highly esteemed for centuries. Even though it may seem somewhat forgotten today, cherry wood and its qualities held great value in historical periods like the reign of Louis XIV, the Biedermeier era, and the Art Nouveau movement. Its remarkable durability, which becomes evident only with proper care, has preserved many beautiful antique furniture pieces to this day.
Solid wood furniture of cherry wood, when properly restored, can be brought back to life and, with its timeless appeal, can stand out in today’s setting.
Applications of Cherry Wood
As mentioned before, in order to use different types of wood in different industries, its properties must first be examined. Due to the features mentioned for cherry wood, this wood is mainly used for making furniture, kitchen cabinets, wooden floors, wooden artworks, musical instruments, veneers and even for making wooden spoons.
Another reason that has increased the efficiency of cherry wood is the change in color of the wood-based on age and also environmental conditions, which with age will turn dark reddish-brown. Of course, based on the final purpose in the industry and the desired color, it is possible to change the harvest time of wood.
Despite the wide range of usages mentioned for cherry wood, it is important to know that each type of wood, due to its special characteristics, will have a special place in one field more than others. For example, as the color variety of cherry wood is high and on the other hand, it has a very high resistance and flexibility, cherry wood is known as one of the best materials for making furniture.
What color is cherry wood?
Cherry wood changes color over time, which might surprise you. However, it gets even more intriguing because not only does the color vary between different cherry wood trees, but different parts of the same tree can also exhibit different colors.
While many woods tend to darken with time, the aging process is more pronounced in cherry wood. It starts with a light pinkish hue and ends up being a deep reddish-brown.
This process is most affected by strong light in the first six months and continues gradually for several years. The more light the wood receives, the faster this process happens.
What is the best way to combine cherry wood furniture?
The best way to incorporate furniture made of cherry wood is to consider its unique coloring, one of its most beautiful qualities, which requires a bit of sensitivity when arranging it. Cherry wood should be the star of the room it’s used in and should not be combined with other colorful woods. It tends to look best when combined with lighter colors. White, in particular, can really make it shine. You can easily envision how a cherry wood cabinet pairs with a white wooden chair and a beige rug.
FAQ
Why does cherry wood change color over time?
The change in color is due to the wood’s chemical structure being altered by its reaction with oxygen and sunlight. This, in turn, affects light absorption and, consequently, the wood’s color.
What are the grains of cherry wood like?
Cherry wood has smooth, consistent, yet lively grains that resemble those of maple. Like many other woods, it’s these unique grain patterns that give cherry wood its distinct characteristics.
What are the black spots in cherry wood?
Genuine cherry wood creates mineral deposits. The black spots are the locations where the tree stored its sap. These irregularities are entirely natural and add character to the wood.
What is the best way to take care of cherry wood?
Cherry wood is sensitive to moisture and should only be cleaned with a dry or slightly damp cloth. To protect your cherry wood from dirt and water in the long run, you can use wood oil or wax.
What is the price of cherry wood?
When it comes to the price of cherry wood, there is a distinction between European cherry and American cherry.
European cherry wood is priced at around 900-1200 euros per cubic meter.
American cherry, exclusively imported from the United States, is much more expensive and is priced at approximately 1500 to 1800 euros per cubic meter.
Heartwood or sapwood?
Finding different contrasting grains in a single piece of wood is not unusual. The lighter grains come from the outer part of the tree (sapwood), while the darker grains are more from the middle of the tree (heartwood).
However, the dark wood from the heartwood is more popular and sees more use in the case of cherry wood.
How hard is cherry wood?
The hardness of wood is measured using the Janka scale, which indicates the force required to press a small steel ball into the wood and, as a result, cause permanent deformation.
The Janka value for American cherry wood is 995, which is slightly less than walnut, oak, and hickory, but higher than mahogany, pine, and cedar. For comparison, hickory, one of the hardest woods, has a Janka value of 1450.
Is cherry wood sustainable?
Cherry wood is the fourth most harvested wood in the United States. Given its common natural occurrences, using cherry wood for your projects is considered safe.
Using locally sourced cherry wood not only supports sustainable forestry but also ensures a low CO2 footprint.
Furthermore, due to its unique and exotic appearance, cherry wood is also a substitute for imported rainforest wood, helping to protect what is likely the world’s greatest biodiversity.
The quality of the chosen wood for furniture, interior decoration and exterior application, not only determines its durability, but is also very important from an aesthetic point of view.
Finland Wood Company with a team of experienced specialists in the field of recognizing different types of wood, are ready to offer you a variety of wood products. For consultation from our experts, you can call the company numbers or use the online chat service of the website.
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