American cherry

American cherry

Origin: North America

Nomenclature:

• Polish: czeremcha amerykańska, czereśnia amerykańska, czeremcha późna
• English: American cherry
• French: merisier d'Amerigue
• German: Amerikanischer Kirchbaum
• names used in other countries: USA and Canada – cherry, black cherry, mountain cherry, cabinett cherry, wild cherry, American black cherry

Availability
26mm – KD – SE edged – FAS PRIME grade
26 mm – KD – SE edged – FAS grade
32 mm – KD – SE edged – FAS PRIME grade
52 mm – KD – SE edged – FAS PRIME grade
52 mm – KD – SE edged – FAS grade

Occurrence:

The homeland of the American cherry (Prunus serotina) is North America. The main region of occurrence extends from western Nova Scotia (Canada) to central Minnesota (USA), to south-eastern Texas and central Florida. It is also found in Mexico and even Guatemala. The American cherry, also known as the late cherry, was brought to Europe in 1629 and to Poland in 1813. This species was deliberately introduced by foresters in European forests as an admixture of the undergrowth. It is now quite common in our forests. The wood of the American cherry tree, which grows in Poland, has so far found no use in the timber industry. The cherry tree is considered an overly expansive species (which does not allow our native trees to grow freely) and is therefore being cut down prematurely. 

Tree habit:

The American cherry tree in North America can reach heights of up to 30 m. In the optimum climate for its growth (in the Appalachians), the average height of the shaped trees is 24 m and the butt diameter is about 60 cm. The trees are suitable for felling as early as 35 to 40 years of age, but reach their full size at around 100 years of age. Unfortunately, the trees reach a smaller size in our climate and heartwood is less colourful.

Structure type:

Diffuse-vascular to halfring-vascular

Sapwood:

Quite narrow (2-4 cm wide) and ranges in colour from white to reddish-brown (most often it is creamy pink).

Heartwood:

Just after cutting, it is quite bright, with a reddish-greenish shade. When exposed to sunlight and oxygen in the air, it darkens to a maroon-red or even deep red colour.

Fragrance:

Dry or decayed wood has no distinctive smell.

Pattern:

The wood may show brown-black mottling – places where tiny gum-resin blisters have been cut. The wood is generally straight-fibred with outlined annual increments. On radial section, a fine shine is visible. No stratified construction in the wood.

Typical defects:

Gum-resin leaks.

Physical properties of American Cherry:

According to a six-grade scale, it is a moderately light wood (grade IV). The average density of the wood in the air-dry state (wood with a moisture content of approx. 12 %) is approx. 580 kg/m³; according to the Monin classification, black cherry belongs to the medium shrinkage wood category – volume shrinkage is approx. 12.5 % on average. The anisotropy of shrinkage is 1.9.

Mechanical properties of American Cherry:

The straight-fibre wood of American cherry has favourable strength properties, with a relatively high tensile strength along the fibres, averaging 125 MPa, and a proportional compressive strength along the fibres, averaging 59 MPa. The average over the cross-section is 57 MPa and the average modulus of elasticity along the fibres determined in static bending is approximately 13.5 GPa.

Hardness:

Heartwood is classified as resistant to the destructive effects of fungi. Sapwood is susceptible to attack by the common furniture beetle. Chemical preservatives do not penetrate very well and protect heartwood poorly.  

Drying:

It is relatively easy. It dries fairly quickly, but cracks can form if the process is too rapid. Convection drying at 50-70°C is recommended, followed by seasoning.

Working:

Relatively easy to work by hand and machine.

Sanding:

Polishing and sanding is easy and produces smooth, good-quality surfaces.

Joining:

Strong joints are achieved with metal fasteners (does not break when nails are driven) and adheres well. In contact with metal, the damp wood discolours to a light-blue colour. The following adhesives can be used: polyurethane-epoxy, one-component and two-component polyurethane, hybrid.

Finishing:

Easy to varnish and stain. The result is a high-quality surface, visually similar to mahogany wood.

Intended use:

Recommended applications for parquet – In Europe, it is increasingly being used for complex interior decoration, for floors and stairs, facilitated by its attractive colour, additionally deepened by a varnish finish. On the domestic market, American cherry wood is mainly available in the form of lumber, as well as flooring slats, mosaic laths and bonded laminated elements (panels). In the latter, the timber in question forms the upper wear layer visible in the laid floor. Other uses - North American cherry wood is one of the prized species and has found use in furniture, carpentry and artistic products. It is used to make furniture, panelling, doors, wooden finishes for exclusive yachts, musical instruments and turned and carved parts. At the beginning of the 20th century, cherry wood was also used to finish railway carriages. It is commercially available in the form of logs, lumber and veneers. The popularity of cherry wood in the furniture industry continues to grow due to its ease of working and aesthetic advantages. In the USA, good quality cherry wood is more expensive than oak wood.

Similar species:

Similar species to the wood in question include common cherry, sour cherry and Japanese cherry. This similarity is not limited to appearance, but also applies to physical, mechanical and technological properties.

Notes:

The wood contains gum-resins. Larger leaks can be a significant disadvantage.

Trivia:

Black cherry fruits appear in August and September. They are small, spherical, black and red, shiny drupes. They have a tart, bitter taste and for this reason, although edible, are rarely eaten by humans. Instead, they are a treat for birds. More commonly used are bark extracts with astringent, warming, diaphoretic and digestive properties. They have been recommended for nervous indigestion, gastritis and fatigue during convalescence. Perhaps a colourful floor made from this wood would be equally invigorating.

• Mechanical properties: American cherry lends itself well to working, does not usually crack when nails are hammered in, and bonds well. After sanding, staining and final treatment (polishing), an exceptionally smooth, high-quality surface can be achieved.
• Modulus of elasticity: 10.3 GPa
• Volumetric shrinkage: 9.2%
• Specific gravity: 560 kg/m³ (12%)
• Durability: species resistant to destructive fungal attack
• Dry wood pests: resistant – risk limited to sapwood penetration
• Protections: class 3-4 – poorly or non-accepting