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The color of cherry

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The color of cherry

#1

The color of cherry

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

Cherry that grows at low elevation here in TN and nearby is darker and less grain definition than northern cherry. Grown at high elevation the cherry from TN, VA and NC looks the same as northern cherry. Our low elevation cherry ages a dark maroon color.

I harvested a local tree that blew down. The wood was so light that many did not recognize it as cherry. It was exceptional to work with hand tools.



Shown in the picture from top to bottom- local low elevation TN cherry, the light colored cherry from SW VA, northern cherry form central NYS. Fresh surfaces are shown. All will darken with light exposure.

Re: The color of cherry

#2

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio

Re: The color of cherry

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio

Cherry from here in NE Ohio looks pretty much like the sample at the bottom of your picture.

Re: The color of cherry

#3

Re: The color of cherry

Don Orr

That's interesting. I've heard of local variations due to soils, minerals, etc.

Are you sure they are all the same species? Top 1 is very pretty.

Re: The color of cherry

#4

Re: The color of cherry

TomD

The bottom would be the most similar to what I am used to. The top is like the tone it darkens to. Does your 3 examples all come out the same color, or does the top one get even darker. I'd love to have some like your dark sample.

Re: The color of cherry

#5

Re: The color of cherry

Ray Mtn. Home Ar.

Here is one I had to cut down. It's in northern Arkansas. Just cut it a few days ago. It is a pretty lite color.

Re: The color of cherry

#6

comparison southern cherry aged

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

All three of the wood samples will darken with light exposure.

The pictures show a southern cherry piece I made several years ago. The lighter was a photo taken just after it was finished and the darker taken today.



Re: The color of cherry

#7

Re: The color of cherry

Mike Circo

the top sample doesn't look like cherry to me. It has more the appearance of mahogany. Maybe just a trick of the photos.

Another thing with cherry is that it is oddly subject to sun bleaching. We are all aware if it's ability to tan and darken with age, but if left in a full sun position for a few years, you can actually bleach out some of the color.

I have a desk with the window side bleached several shades lighter than the opposite side.

Re: The color of cherry

#8

variations

John K Jordan

I have (black) cherry from around here that looks like light maple and other cherry almost as dark as mahogany. And that is with freshly sectioned dry wood and not after darkening with age. Some very light in weight and some almost as heavy as dogwood. I use the microscope (and the smell) to be sure.

Wanna see some variation? Pics plus commentary:

http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/cherry,%20american%20black.htm

JKJ

Re: The color of cherry

#9

no trick

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

If you have not seen cherry for low elevation southern Appalachians you likely would have never seen the dark cherry that is common here. Indeed it is a dark maroon color accurately represented in the picture.

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