SUBTLE FRUITWOOD FROM THE GARDEN
While black cherry (P. serotina) has won universal appeal as a contemporary mahogany substitute, sweet cherry remains a bit-player in the lumber world, and is more likely to be grown in the garden than a forest. Though it offers interesting grain patterns and
color, it is not used much and availability is limited, perhaps because the trees rarely grow very large and boards are prone to warping and distortion. It does, however, share the smoothness and consistency of other frultwoods and is ideal as a decorative
feature or panel, or for turning.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Type Temperate hardwood
Other names Cerasus avium, fruit cherry, kirsche, merisier, kers, bird cherry, gean, mazzard, European cherry
Related species European bird cherry (P. padus)
Sources Europe and parts of Asia and North Africa
Color Light brown or tan, with some pinkish hue
Texture Even and fine
Grain Largely close-grained and straight, though with some thin latewood lines
Hardness Medium
Weight Medium (38 lb./cu. ft.) (610 kg/cu. m)
AVAILABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
This cherry grows extensively across Europe, and there is no threat to its future. The tree does not live very long, and lumber is likely to come from dying trees. It is not widely available.
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