Wild Cherry

Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)

Common Name(s): Wild Cherry, European Cherry

Scientific Name: Prunus avium

Distribution: Europe and Asia

Tree Size: 32-65 ft (10-20 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 39 lbs/ft³ (620 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .48

Hardness: 1,150 lb_f (5,120 N)

Rupture Strength: 14,980 lb_f/in² (103,340 kPa)

Elastic Strength: 1,529,000 lb_f/in² (10,550 MPa)

Crushing Strength: 7,250 lb_f/in² (50.0 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 5.1%, Tangential: 8.4%, Volumetric: 13.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a light pinkish brown when freshly cut, darkening to a deeper golden brown with time and upon exposure to light. Sapwood is a pale yellowish color, typically 1-2″ wide.

Grain/Pore: Has a fine to medium texture with close grain. The grain is usually straight or slightly wavy.

Endgrain: Semi-ring-porous; small pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; gum/deposits occasionally present; growth rings distinct due to a concentration of earlywood pores; rays visible without lens; parenchyma absent.

Durability: Heartwood is rated as being moderately durable to non-durable regarding decay resistance. Wild Cherry is also susceptible to insect attack.

Workability: Wild Cherry is easy to work with both machine and hand tools. The only difficulties typically arise if the wood is being stained, as it can sometimes give blotchy results due to its fine, close grain. A sanding sealer or gel stain is recommended. Glues, turns, and finishes well.

Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety: Although there have been no adverse health effects reported for Wild Cherry, the closely related Black Cherry has been reported to cause respiratory effects. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: Typically only available in Europe, Wild Cherry is usually only sold in smaller sizes or as veneer. Prices should be moderate within the tree’s natural distribution.

Comments: Wild Cherry is the Old World counterpart to Black Cherry found in the New World. Wild Cherry is said to exhibit a bit more of a color contrast than Black Cherry, and it also tends to be slightly denser and stronger. However, the tree itself tends to be smaller than Prunus serotina, and does not yield the larger sizes of lumber that are available for the American species.

Some common uses for Wild Cherry include: veneer, furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, musical instruments, and carvings.