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Curly Cherry
The combination of Cherry’s natural beauty and the added visual interest of the curly figure makes Curly Cherry a desirable choice for high-quality and decorative woodworking projects
Length: Not specified
Thickness: Hit and miss to 15/16 inches
- Common Name(s): Curly Cherry, Black Cherry, American Cherry
- Scientific Name: Prunus serotina
- Distribution: Eastern North America
- Tree Size: 50-100 ft (15-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 35 lbs/ft³ (560 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 950 lbf (4,230 N)
- Crushing Strength: 7,110 lbf/in² (49 MPa)
Heartwood: Light pinkish-brown when freshly cut, darkening to a medium reddish-brown with time and light exposure.
Sapwood: Pale yellowish color, clearly demarcated from heartwood. The curly figure adds a unique wavy pattern to the wood.
Grain: Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy.
Texture: Fine and even, with a moderate natural luster.
Rated as very durable and resistant to decay, though not typically used in exterior applications.
Curly Cherry is known as one of the best all-around woods for workability. It is stable, straight-grained, and machines well. The curly figure can sometimes cause tearout during planing. It turns, glues, and finishes well, though it can sometimes result in blotchy stains; using a sanding sealer or a gel-based stain is recommended. High wastage factor due to common sapwood.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Veneer
- Musical instruments
- Turned objects
- Specialty wood items
Curly Cherry develops a rich reddish-brown patina as it ages, which is frequently imitated with wood stains on other hardwoods. The curly figure adds a striking visual appeal, making it a popular choice for fine woodworking projects.
Note: Not to be confused with Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium), which is native to Europe and Asia and is the primary source of edible cherries. While the fruit of Black Cherry is technically edible, the tree is primarily valued for its lumber.