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.
Other Common Names: 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.
General Wood Characteristics: 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.
Weighta
Weight
Moisture Specific lb/ft3 kg/m3
content gravity
Green 0.47 45 721
12% 0.50 35 561
Ovendry 0.53 NA NA
aReferences: specific gravity, green and
12%, (98);
specific gravity, ovendry (59); weight,
(59).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property Green Dry
MOE 1.31 106 9.032 GPa 1.49 106 10.274
lbf/in2 lbf/in2 GPa
MOR 8.00 103 55.160 MPa 12.3 103 84.809
lbf/in2 lbf/in2 MPa
C| | 3.54 103 24.408 MPa 7.11 103 49.023
lbf/in2 lbf/in2 MPa
C 0.36 103 2.482 MPa 0.69 103 4.758 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
WML 12.8 88.256 kJ/m3 11.4 78.603
in-lbf/in3 in-lbf/in3 kJ/m3
Hardness 660 lbf 2935.68 N 950 lbf 4225.60 N
Shear| | 1.13 103 7.791 MPa 1.70 103 11.721
lbf/in2 lbf/in2 MPa
aReference (98).
Drying and shrinkagea
Percentage of shrinkage
(green to final moisture
content)
Type of 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC
shrinkage
Tangential 7.1 5.7 2.4
Radial 3.7 3.0 1.2
Volumetric 11.5 9.2 3.8
aReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20%
MC, (90).
Kiln drying schedulea
4/4, 5/4, 8/4 10/4 12/4 16/4
Condition 6/4 stock stock stock stock
stock
Black cherry T8-B4 T5-B3 T5-B2 T3-B2 T3-A1
Bitter T5-B2 T3-A1 NA NA NA
cherry
(P.
emarginata)
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.
Additional Reading: 29, 34, 59, 68, 74. 55, 66, 68, 74, 79. 28, 29, 42, 43, 44, 48, 50, 55, 56, 68, 72, 73, 74, 79, 92, 97, 102. 74, 75, 77, 99, 106. 101.