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Cherry Wood Through The Eyes of a Wood Turner

A Bowl Turner Polishes a Cherry Wood Bowl

Cherry is a premium American hardwood prized for its natural luster, attractive grain, and rich, warm glow. New Hampshire Bowl and Board works in cherry harvested from recycled furniture scrap and urban forests of New England. This wood has a consistently high quality of grain, color, and width. We also accept orders to make our bowls and boards in other domestic hardwoods, including Maple and Black Walnut. Until the worldwide rainforest situation improves, we have elected not to work with imported woods.

Like all fruit trees, cherry belongs to the rose family and was used as early as 400 B.C. by the Greeks and Romans for furniture making. Cherry helped define American traditional design because Colonial cabinetmakers recognized its superior woodworking qualities. Today, cherry helps define Shaker, Mission and country styling. The wood from the cherry tree can be described in a single word: beautiful. Its rich red-brown color deepens with age. Small dark gum flecks add to its interest. Distinctive, unique figures and grains are brought out through quarter sawing. It has an exceptionally lustrous appearance that glows. The finish is satiny to the touch.

Due to a natural photosynthesis process caused by natural sunlight and oxidation the cherry wood will darken as it ages. After a period of time it will reach a warm reddish chestnut patina. This maximum colorization will vary from tree to tree. Cherry ranges from pale yellow to light reddish brown and often have darker areas of burl, which add character and contrast to the wood. These areas of burl or mineral deposit streaks are not defects; they are natural characteristics of cherry wood. Cherry is a hardwood but it is not as hard as oak or maple; it will scratch or dent if subjected to misuse. But due to cherry's unique colorization process the scratch or dent will color up to match the surrounding wood and will blend in quite nicely. Upon receiving a piece of new natural cherry furniture it is advised to rotate lamps or centerpieces as the area that is covered by the lamp will not darken as quickly as the exposed wood will. If this occurs remove the lamp and place the item near a sunny window the lighter area will quickly disappear.