Cherry, American (aka Black)

Botanical Name: Prunus Serotina American Cherry, also known as Black Cherry

It is also referred to as: North American Cherry, Black Cherry, Wild Cherry, Whiskey Cherry, Rum Cherry, and Black Chokecherry.

This a popular hardwood floor choice for many customers. While it is not as favored as other species such as oak or maple, Cherry is a stunning hardwood. This type of flooring adds a warm touch to any décor.

Fast Facts

Color: this depends if heartwood or sapwood is used. Heartwood has a dark reddish brown appearance and sapwood has a much lighter color with a pinkish undertone. There are also manufacturers who will bleed the darker color onto the sapwood in order to create a uniform look. Keep in mind that the color will darken with age.

Grain: will vary depending on how the wood is sawn. There is a unique grain present on the wood for true quarter sawn wood. Black cherry presents with a uniform grain texture.

Variations within Species and Grades: Black Cherry is a species with significant color variations in boards.

Hardness/Janka: American Cherry is about 26% softer than a Northern Red Oak wood and has a rating of 950 on the Janka Hardness Scale.

Dimensional Stability: American Cherry has a dimensional stability of 7.1. This means an average of 17% higher than Red Oak.

Sawing/Machining: No known problems.

Sanding: Installers should use a specific sanding sequence to ensure the floor turns out perfectly.

Nailing: No known problems.

Finishing: No known problems.

Availability: Readily available. Credit: NWFA

A Brief History of Black Cherry

The type of tree is common in North America.

American Colonists used the fruit and tree bark in order to create furniture, medicines, and even cocktails. Early print makers used cherry to create their engraving blocks.

Durability

Keep in mind that cherry is not as durable as other woods frequently used for flooring.

The good news is that this type of wood is less likely to warp and move around than those woods. The Janka Scale ranks cherry at a 950, this making it much softer than many other hardwoods. Keep in mind that the Janka scale only serves as an indication of how well a floor will hold up to normal wear and tear.

The way your hardwood looks like really depends on how well the floor is cared for.

Workability

The American Cherry is easy to work with and it is used in a wide variety of applications.

There are no known issues with being able to nail the flooring together or finish it after it is installed in a home. It can be sanded without issue if a certain sequence is followed.

Where to use

The dark color will compliment the decor in any residential setting.

We do not recommend the use in a commercial setting due to the softness of the wood.

The American Cherry is commonly used for furniture pieces. It is also used to make kitchen cabinets, paneling, doors, and boat interiors.

Care and Maintenance

Keep in mind that no matter the relative hardness of a hardwood, proper care and maintenance are important.

The first step is preventative maintenance. Entryways should have mats covering the floor to avoid scuff or heel marks. It is important to place runners or rugs in extremely high traffic areas (for example hallways). We recommend you placing pads underneath furniture legs to prevent gouges in the hardwood. Regularly trim the nails of your pet in order to prevent scrapes.

Since cherry is not known for warping and moving, it is more resistant to water damage than other species of wood.

You should also regularly sweep or vacuum the floor. Always remember to promptly wipe spills to prevent stains and discoloration.

Environmental Issues

It is important to know Black Cherry is not abundant in North America, as many trees are grown and harvested each year.

It also takes a while for the Cherry tree to harvest to the optimal age for flooring and milling. In many places this type of wood is reused. When it is reclaimed, it can be hand scraped and refinished to create a unique look and beautiful floor.