It goes unnoticed by many gardeners until the black cherry literally gets to the point of failure. We are talking about the wood of this plant. Although it tends to fade into the background, it has great significance.
What is bird cherry wood used for?
The wood of the bird cherry is characterized by a yellowish-white sapwood color and a dark brown heartwood. It is soft, light, elastic and easy to split. It is used for wood turning, inlay work, walking sticks, furniture, tool handles and musical instruments. Attention: This wood, like all parts of the bird cherry plant, is poisonous.
The most important characteristics of bird cherry wood
Under the dark gray bark is the wood of the bird cherry. At first glance, you notice that the color of the sapwood contrasts strikingly with the heartwood. While the sapwood is light yellow to almost whitish in color and slightly reddish, the core is yellow-brown to dark brown and greenish striped. Compared to other woods, the sapwood of the bird cherry is wide.
The wood radiates warmth with its colors. In addition, it gives off a shine and has a scattered-pored structure. Connoisseurs also describe it as soft, light, elastic and easy to split. The following points can provide more information to wood professionals:
- Graphic density: 0.51 to 0.56 g/ccm
- Compressive strength: 51 to 56 N/mm2
- Shear strength 12-12.5 N/mm2
The wood, which shrinks little and is easy to bend, has other properties. It is poisonous, as are the leaves, flowers, bark and seeds of the bird cherry. This is indicated, for example, by its unpleasant bitter almond-like smell. This can be easily perceived when it is fresh and can sometimes be disruptive to this wood.
A wide range of uses
The wood of the bird cherry is extremely valuable for the woodworking industry. It is less suitable for burning. Thanks to its properties, it is easy to process. However, it is less durable compared to cherry wood. It is used, among other things, for wood turning and inlay work. For example, walking sticks, furniture, tool handles and musical instruments can be made.
Tips & Tricks
Even if the bird cherry is infested with the spider moth. The wood retains its shape and quality as it is unattractive for web moths to eat.