Cherry

  The genus Prunus contains between 200-400 species distributed in most parts of the world, especially the northern temperate regions (North America, Asia and Europe/Mediterranean). This genus includes cherries, plums, peaches, almonds and apricots. All species look alike microscopically, however, woods in this genus with a reddish cast (light or dark red) with a light ray fleck are assumed to be cherry. The word prunus is the classical Latin name for the cherry tree. Cherry trees are native to the eastern half of the United States and also grow in high elevations in Mexico. Cherry trees reach heights of 100 ft with diameters of over 4 ft. Cherry sapwood is light yellow with deep red brown heartwood after exposure to air. It works well with most tools under most applications. It is rated as very resistant to heartwood decay. It is used for fine furniture, printing and engraving blocks, patterns, professional and scientific instruments, piano actions, handles, wooden ware, toys, and specialty items.

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/TechSheets/HardwoodNA/pdf_files/prunsereng.pdf.

Characteristics found in the Cherry (Prunus spp.):

• Semi-diffuse porous
• Earlywood vessels in clusters at very beginning of growth ring
• Spirals on vessels Coarse
• Deposits in vessels
• I/V pits medium (8-12)
• Rays 1-6 seriate & heterocellular
• Crystals in rays axial parenchyma

WOOD SLIDES
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Cross-section of Cherry (Prunus sp.) showing clusters of earlywood vessels at the very beginning of two growth rings.

CHARCOAL SLIDES