Cherry returns to popularity

aF\HERRY earned its reputation Yas a decorative wood in the early years of this country when cabinet makers used it for elegant adaptations of Colonial and 18th Century English furniture designs.

It was a popular choice for fine spool beds, butterfly gate-leg tables, colonial breakfronts and Federal chairs, many of which are collector's items today. The New York Cabinetmckers Price Book of 1834 listed cherry at the same price as mahogany.

Today, it is again in demand for fine furniture, cabinet making, interior trim and paneling.

Cherry grows wild all over the eastern half of the United States with the majority of the trees found in Pennsylvania, upper New York and West Virginia with a scattering in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and beyond. Only one species grows large enough to be of commercial use, Prunus serotina or black cherry.

Cherry also grows in Europe although the trees are smaller and the wood lighter in color.

Cherry has a compact grain structure with clearly defined annular rings and occasional pitch pockets. Distinct rays show up when the lumber or veneer is quartered. These plus the ability to polish smoothly give it a textural interest which designers like. Most cherry is reddish brown, but some logs have a distinct grayish cast while a few are a light straw color. Freshly cut heartwood is usually light amber although it darkens with age

Story at a Glance

Wildblack cherry grows throughout Eastern states altractive grain, uniform tex. ture linish well unsur. passed for furnilure, Yeneer panel ing, woodwork, cabinets.

and exposure to sunlight. Sometimes alternate light and dark streaks develop as the wood ages. Cherry sapwood varies from white to yellow brown in color.

Although cherry looks and feels harder than walnut, it tests out slightly softer on the surface and harder on the end grain with a strength almost equal to walnut. It machines well and is available as both lumber and veneer at above average prices.

Cherry is unique in that it is one of the few dark woods which are perishable in contact with the ground or other moist situations. This condition has limited its use to areas where it is protected from the elements.

More cherry is being used as the demand for dark woods with highly polished finishes for use in the traditional styled furniture accelerates. With this return to popularity, many furniture factories are specializing in fine solid cherry furniture.

The fruit of the wild cherry has little resemblance to the fruit of its domesticated relative. Small as a pea, the fruit grows in clusters and is very bitter although it can be used in jelly and wine.