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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Prunus avium Trade Name European cherry Family Name Rosaceae Common Names Cerisier, Cherry, English cherry, European cherry, Fruit cherry, Gean, Kers, Kirsche, Mazzard, Merisier, Meurisier, Wild cherry Regions of Distribution Africa, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean Sea Region, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Russia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom Common Uses Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Decorative veneer, Door, Furniture , Furniture, Joinery, Moldings, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Paneling , Paneling, Plywood, Shuttles, Textile equipment, Toys, Turnery, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview One of over a hundred species belonging to the Prunus genus, P. avium is native to Britain and is also widely distributed in the forests of Europe from Norway eastwards, and extends into western Asia. In the United Kingdom, native to regions as far north as the Scottish border, but is only commonly found as a wild tree among the Beech forests of the southeastern chalk deposits. Cherry is also reported to have been successfully cultivated by many landowners on their private lands, because of its beautiful blossoms. Heartwood Color Yellow Orange Pale red to pink Pale brown Reddish brown Greenish to greyish Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Reddish dark brown Red Darkens upon exposure European cherry exhibits more color contrast than American black cherry (P. serotina ). Sapwood Color Yellow Paler than heartwood White to yellow Well defined Pinkish Grain Straight Figure Growth rings (figure) Even Closed Other (figure) Distinct (figure) Wavy Rays (figure) Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Other figure Wavy Rays figure Generally straight, but not always Distinct figure Butt end of logs may have irregular grain Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Medium Fine and uniform Luster Low Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Moderately durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood is vulnerable to attack by furniture beetles Sapwood is resistant to powder-post beetle attack Non durable Moderately resistant to decay Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Some toxic effects Kiln Schedules UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Drying Defects Severe twisting/warping Moderate twist/warp Slight twist/warp Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderate Easy Requires considerable care to avoid degrade Dries rapidly Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Product Sources European cherry is available in small sizes only, but limited quantities in the form of veneers can be purchased on the European market. Price is comparable to that of medium cost hardwoods. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Medium effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cross-Cutting and narrow bandsawing are satisfactory Gluing Easy to glue Good gluing properties Movement in Service Medium Small Seasoning requires special care for material tends to warp Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good nailing properties Planing Reduction of cutting angle recommended Planes to a satisfactory finish Areas of irregular grain tend to tear surfaces Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is highly resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Screwing Fair to Good Results Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Excellent turning properties Easy to turn Easier with seasoned wood Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for slicing Easy to cut Sliced into highly decorative veneers for furniture, doors, and wall paneling. Steam Bending Very good Good Painting Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Good results Satisfactory results Excellent results Staining Finish is generally good Finish is generally satisfactory Some surface degreasing may be required Good staining characteristics Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = large Max. crushing strength = medium Toughness (total work) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = soft Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Weight = moderate Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Toughness (total work) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9167 14984 psi Density 40 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1270 lbs Impact Strength 40 42 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3933 7061 psi Shearing Strength 2174 psi Stiffness 1277 1529 1000 psi Toughness 287 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 14 17 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.58 Weight 38 31 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 644 1053 kg/cm2 Density 641 kg/m3 Hardness 576 kg Impact Strength 101 106 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 276 496 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 152 kg/cm2 Stiffness 89 107 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 330 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.98 1.19 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.58 Weight 608 496 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 British Woodworking Federation. 1995. Which Wood . Published by the British Woodworking Federation, Broadway House, Tothill Street, London. Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. HMSO. 1985. Broadleaves. Forestry Commission Booklet No. 20. Text by H.E. Edlin. Revised by A.F. Mitchell. Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Laidlaw, W.B.R. 1960. Guide to British Hardwoods. Published by Leonard Hill [Books] Limited, 9 Eden Street, N.W.1, London. Lavers, G.M. 1969. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50 (Second Edition, Metric Units). Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California. Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color - A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London. Patterson, D. 1988. Commercial Timbers of the World. Fifth Edition. Gower Technical Press, Aldershot, UK. ix + 339 pp. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Titmuss, F.H. 1965. Commercial Timbers of the World. Third Edition (Enlarged of A ConRussiae Encyclopedia of World Timbers). The Technical Press Ltd., London. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Wood, A.D.,1963,Plywoods of the World: Their Development, Manufacture and,Application,Johnston & Bacon Ltd. Edinburgh & London