Branco Cherry

Scientific Name:
Prunus serotina

Origin:
South America

Appearance:
Prized for its rich color and fine graining, branco cherry is commonly seen in American cabinetry and furniture. The fine, satiny texture of the wood is uniform and frequently wavy, with distinctive gum veins and pockets. The lustrous heartwood ranges from light to dark reddish brown, contrasting sharply with the sapwood, which may be light brown to pale with a light pinkish tone; however, between boards there may be significant color variations.

Properties:
Branco Cherry is a strong but moderately hard wood with excellent shock resistance; commonly found in borders and accents.

Janka Hardness: 950
As a flooring option branco cherry is just under forty-four percent harder than Douglas fir, five percent softer than teak, around seventy-three percent as hard as red oak, close to two thirds as hard as hard maple, about fifty-eight percent as hard as wenge, approximately fifty-two percent as hard as hickory or pecan, and nearly forty-three percent as hard as santos mahogany's ranking of 2200.

Principal Uses:
Second only to black walnut in value as a fine hardwood species, branco cherry is commonly found in fine furniture, veneers, and wood flooring borders and accents. It is also used for printing and engraving blocks, professional and scientific instruments, and decorative items.