Edensaw Woods is the best source for
high-quality domestic cherry wood in the Seattle-Port Townsend, Washington area. We provide a diverse selection of cherry
domestic wood for all types of woodworking projects, large and small, to local home builders, woodworkers, boat builders, and remodelers. We are committed to consistently exceeding customer expectations and providing excellent service to our community.
Cherry domestic wood (Prunus serotina) is a premium hardwood that grows primarily in the eastern United States. This wood is prized for its distinctive grain patterns, which range from straight to wavy. Cherry wood's natural reddish hue deepens over time, eventually turning into a lustrous, deep brown when exposed to light - a process known as patina. It is a medium-density hardwood, which makes it relatively easy to work with while still providing the strength and durability required for a variety of applications.
Key Characteristics and Uses of Cherry Wood
- Janka Hardness: Cherry has a Janka hardness rating of approximately 950 lbf. This moderate hardness provides excellent durability for furniture and cabinetry.
- Aesthetic: Valued for its rich, warm color and attractive grain, cherry is an excellent choice for furniture, high-end cabinetry, boat interiors, and musical instruments.
- Workability: Woodworkers value the material's ease of machining, cutting, and sanding. It is exceptionally good at holding intricate details, making it an excellent choice for intricate carvings, moldings, and decorative pieces.
- Finishing: Cherry wood takes finishes, stains, and polishes beautifully. When properly finished, it is renowned for its ability to achieve a smooth, glass-like surface, enhancing its visual appeal.
Veneer, Figuring, and Aesthetics - Cherry often exhibits unique characteristics that contribute to its premium value:
- Gum Pockets: These are small, dark streaks or pin knots in the wood, formed by hardened sap. They are not defects, but a natural, acceptable characteristic of Cherry and often enhance the wood's rustic appeal.
- Curly Figure: Occasionally, Cherry displays a stunning curly or wavy figure perpendicular to the main grain direction. This figuring, often called flame or ribbon curl, is highly sought after for decorative veneer and high-end instrument making.
- Sapwood: The outer layer of the tree, called sapwood, is typically a pale yellow-white. It often appears on the edges of boards and must be strategically utilized or trimmed, as it does not take finish the same way the heartwood does.
Finishing and Patina Control - Cherry's distinctive aging process requires specific handling during and after finishing:
- Staining Caution: Cherry is notoriously sensitive to stain absorption, which can lead to blotchiness. To ensure an even color, woodworkers often apply a wood conditioner or a thin coat of shellac before staining, or they use a gel stain which is less prone to blotching.
- Natural Darkening (Patina): The deepening of cherry's color is a photochemical process accelerated by UV light. To achieve a deep, uniform color faster, some craftsmen will expose the finished piece to natural sunlight for several days before using it indoors.
- Varnishing: For boat interiors or high-wear areas, a marine-grade varnish with UV inhibitors is recommended to protect the wood while still allowing the patina to develop slowly.
Cherry's density places it in the moderately stable category:
- Stability: Cherry is generally regarded as having good dimensional stability, meaning it resists warping and cupping when properly dried. It performs well in standard interior humidity levels, which is crucial for cabinet doors and drawers.
- Drilling/Nailing: Due to its moderate hardness, pre-drilling is recommended for nails and screws near the edges of boards to prevent splitting.
As your dedicated local domestic & exotic supplier,
Edensaw Woods (
Edensaw.com) offers an unparalleled selection of top-quality lumber, local marine & cabinet grade plywood supplier, local wood veneer supplier, local hardwood flooring supplier, and local specialty decking supplier options, all essential for professional cabinetmaking, robust marine and boatbuilding, and residential or commercial construction projects throughout the Pacific Northwest region. Operating from our convenient locations in Port Townsend-Tacoma, Washington, USA, we proudly serve professionals and DIY enthusiasts across the Seattle-Port Townsend-Tacoma area with premium local rough sawn and surfaced lumber. Our extensive inventory of
domestic wood and lumber includes popular hardwoods like
alder,
ash,
basswood,
beech, and
birch. The specialty lumber selection also features beautiful, durable woods such as
cherry,
hickory, and
walnut, alongside reliable softwoods like
fir and aromatic
tennessee cedar. We maintain stock of various maple options, including
maple (eastern) and
maple (western), plus comprehensive oak selections, such as
red oak,
red oak riftsawn-quartersawn, classic
white oak, and premium
white oak riftsawn-quartersawn, among many other essential choices. Discover our full array of
products and specialized
services by reaching out via
contact us, and don't forget to
tell us about your completed project!
