Black Cherry Black Cherry grows in East Texas and I occasionally have access to it. It is a beautiful wood and turns very nicely. You can see examples of various bowls and vessels turned from my Black Cherry and other "exotic" Texas woods on my companion website, www.prairiesend.com. As elsewhere, the dimensions given below are Length x Width x Depth of the blank. Theoretically these numbers indicate the dimensions of the largest bowl, box/goblet or spindle that might be turned from that piece if no flaws are encountered. The approximate weight (in pounds) as well as obvious physical features (checks, etc) are also indicated. Note also that most of these are rough cut. I do not have the time or equipment to routinely surface the cut sides - although sometimes I think that the grain is interesting enough that I will take it to the jointer before I take the photo. NEW LISTINGS - 03/5/09 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 131 4-3/4" x 4/3/4" x 10" 7-1/2 lbs. This is an absolutely beautiful and large end-grain block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and strong linear grain pattern are colorful and dramatic. There are two small tight knots on one end of the back. Small, thin cracks are present within each of those knots (lower photo), but since both knots and cracks are located close to the edges, they will turn off as the block is rounded. Several other small cracks or checks are present on the edges which will also turn off immediately as the block is roughed-out. I see no other flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 131 $35.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 132 4" x 4" x 11-7/8" 6 lbs. This is another beautiful end-grain block of Texas Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and strong linear grain pattern are colorful and dramatic. That dramatic grain pattern on the back side (left end, lower photo) includes partial closure around two tight knots. One knot (centrally located between the edges) contains two small "knot-pith" related cracks that, depending on the form planned, will require consideration during turning. If I were turning this block and they remained in the final design, they would be reinforced and (if necessary) filled with a dark-colored epoxy or CA glue. I see no other flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 132 $30.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 133 4" x 5" x 9" 6 lbs. This is another beautiful block of Texas Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and strong linear grain pattern are colorful and dramatic. This block is rectangular - not cut as a square turning block, but could be squared-up for turning if desired. I left it rectangular in case someone was interested in it for other woodworking needs (re-saw for box-construction, knife handles, etc.). The pith of the log is present on one edge of this block (upper-right corner of the end face on the top photo and the lower-right end face of the bottom photo). This pith appears to be tight but there is a faint, thin and tight check on one end (top photo) that looks like it may extend ~1/2" into the block. Several small knots are also associated with that dramatic grain around the pith, but all of the visible knot-piths are tight and crack-free. I see no other flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 133 $30.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 134 2" x 2" x 9-3/4" 1-1/4 lbs. This is a smaller end-grain turning block from the same Black Cherry log as the larger pieces above. The red-brown cherry heartwood and the strong linear grain pattern are colorful and dramatic. There a single tight knot on one edge of the back and several small, thin (edge-parallel) cracks on the opposite edge of the back (lower photo). These will turn off as the block is rounded. There are also two odd-looking small (<1/16" wide and 1/4" to 3/8" long) open gaps that lie at right angles to one strong, dark grain band on one end (lower-left corner, exposed end on the top photo). I don't know the nature of these but they were present as the tree grew because the adjacent, younger wood grain flows smoothly around them. Was I turning this block, and those gaps were present and exposed during turning, I would probably fill them with colored epoxy for effect. I see no other oddities or structural flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 134 $10.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 135 2" x 2" x 9-3/4" 1-1/4 lbs. This is another small end-grain turning block from the same Black Cherry log as the larger pieces above. The red-brown cherry heartwood and the strong linear grain pattern are colorful and dramatic. There a single knot that appears to pass completely thru this block. That knot is small and tight on the face (top surface on the upper photo) but much larger and including three small radiating pith cracks on the back side (vertical face on the lower photo). These small cracks are open and will require reinforcing and possibly filling (CA glue would be my choice) when turning. I see no other flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 135 $10.00 END OF NEW LISTINGS click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 113 9" x 12" x 4" depth 10 lbs. This is a very nice, large half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry. The color of that cherry red heartwood is very nice. The outer portion of the sapwood was a bit ragged when this piece was cut, so the blank was trimmed and "squared up" - so it is not a "whole" half-log. The pith was cut completely out of this piece and I see no cracks or other significant flaws. The bark was loose so I removed it completely to reduce the mess and the shipping weight. Sold Black Cherry Lot 113 $30.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 114 9-1/2" x 11-1/2" x 4" depth 8-1/2 lbs. This is another nice, large half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry. The color and strong, linear grain pattern at the cut face is very nice. The pith was cut completely out of this piece. Minor impact damage is present on one corner of the cut face (lower left corner, top photo). This appear to be shallow and will turn off when it is trimmed round. I see no cracks or other significant flaws. The bark was loose so I removed it completely to reduce the mess and the shipping weight. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 114 $26.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 115 9-1/2" x 10-1/2" x 4-1/2" depth 10 lbs. This is another nice, large half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry. The color and strong, linear grain pattern at the cut face is very nice. The pith was cut completely out of this piece. There is a fairly large decay pocket near one corner of the back side (lower left corner, top photo). This appear to be shallow and, being on the corner, will turn off when it is trimmed round. I see no cracks or other significant flaws. The bark was loose so I removed it completely to reduce the mess and the shipping weight. Sold Black Cherry Lot 115 $30.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 116 10-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 3-1/2" depth 9 lbs. This is a very nice, large half-log bowl blank cut from a side-limb crotch of Black Cherry. While not a crotch "flame" or "feather" pattern, the grain associated with the side limb is very attractive. The colors are the strong reddish brown of Cherry heartwood. The pith of both the trunk and limb were cut completely out of this piece and no clear pith-related cracks are apparent. But there are several small and fairly tight cracks (drying?) in the cut face (top photo) - one associated with the side limb and the other two within the lower portion of the main trunk. All of these are so small that they are difficult to see on the photos. These look as if they will be removed as the blank is rounded (those on the lower trunk) or when the bowl is hollowed (that one associated with the limb). Otherwise, I would reinforce with CA glue and "turn away". I see no other cracks or significant flaws. The bark was loose so I removed it completely to reduce the mess and the shipping weight. Black Cherry Lot 116 $30.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 117 9" x 12-1/2" x 4" depth 11 lbs. This is another nice, large half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry. The color and strong, linear grain pattern at the cut face is very nice. The blank was cut from close to the pith and the pith is present approximately 1/4" below the cut face. That black line in the center of the cut face is a thin radial pith-related crack. Where exposed at the ends, it is VERY shallow (1/4"?) and will easily turn off as the blank is turned for a bowl form. Otherwise, this blank is nearly perfect with no significant flaws. The bark was loose so I removed it completely to reduce the mess and the shipping weight. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 117 $30.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 118 4" x 4" x 7-1/2" 3 lbs. This is a nice 4" square end-grain block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and linear grain is very attractive. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. It was cut from close to the pith of the log and one pith-related radial crack is present on the backside. This small crack appears to be quite shallow and I do not consider it to be significant. I see no other flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 118 $11.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 120 4" x 4" x 8" 3-1/2 lbs. This is another nice 4" square end-grain block of Black Cherry. It is primarily red-brown cherry heartwood, with a small section of light brown sapwood on one edge. That linear grain pattern is very attractive. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. This block was cut from close to the pith of the log and a single thin and shallow pith-related radial crack is present on the front (lower left on the top photo). This small crack is not structurally significant, but it did provide a pathway to water and resulted in a flame-like zone of spalting around the crack. There is also one old intact knot on one edge (left side, top photo). This knot and the area of the spalt-enhanced crack look as if they will be completely removed as the blank is rough to round. I see no significant flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 120 $11.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 121 5" x 10" x 2-1/4" 3-1/4 lbs. This is a nice slab of Black Cherry. It is about 60% red-brown cherry heartwood and 40% light-brown sapwood. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. This block was cut well away from the pith of the log but one thin ring(?) crack is present on the backside (that thin white stripe on the lower photo). This small crack appears to be quite shallow and I do not consider it to be significant. I see no other flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 121 $12.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 122 4" x 10" x 2-1/2" 3 lbs. This is another nice slab of Black Cherry. It is about 80% red-brown cherry heartwood and 20% light-brown sapwood. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. This block was cut well away from the pith of the log and there are no clear, pith-related cracks. However, there are two very thin and tight cracks, one on the right side of the face and one very tiny on one corner (barely visible in the lower photo). These small cracks do not appear to be structurally significant, but the one on the corner did provide a pathway to water and resulted in a, eye-catching zone of reddish spalting around the crack. Another similar area of red spalting is present on the same side but not associated with a visible crack. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 122 $12.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 123 4" x 10" x 2-1/2" 3 lbs. This is another nice slab of Black Cherry. It is almost entirely red-brown cherry heartwood, with only one small corner of the light-brown sapwood. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. This block was cut well away from the pith of the log but there are two, small and tight pith-related cracks on one side and one on the face (barely visible in the lower photo). Where exposed at the end, the edge cracks are very shallow and are not structurally significant. However, they did provide a pathway to water and resulted in a, eye-catching zone of reddish spalting in that area. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 123 $12.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 124 3" x 3" x 7-1/2" 1-1/2 lbs. This is a nice 3" square end-grain block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and linear grain is very attractive. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. It was cut from close to the pith of the log but no pith-related radial cracks are present. However, there is one small, undulating drying crack on the back side (barely visible on the lower portion, bottom photo). This small crack appears to be quite shallow and I do not consider it to be significant. There is one small, shallow bughole on the top end of the back (that is where you turn the tenon!). I see no other flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 124 $8.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 125 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 10-1/2" 2 lbs. This is a nice square end-grain block of Black Cherry. It is mostly red-brown cherry heartwood with some sapwood on one side. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. It was cut thru the pith of the log and the pith is present along one edge (right edge, middle photo). One small pith-related radial crack is present on one side (lower photo). This small crack appears to be quite shallow and should be removed as the edges are turned when the blank is rounded. I see no other flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 125 $8.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 126 1-3/4" x 1-3/4" x 6-1/2" 1 lbs. This is a small square end-grain block of Black Cherry. It is mostly red-brown cherry heartwood. Those light-colored areas on the ends are due to the wax sealer that I put on the ends before dampening the wood for the photography. There is one small (drying) crack on one side (left side, upper photo). This small crack appears to be quite shallow. I see no other flaws. Black Cherry Lot 126 $5.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 127 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 15-1/2" 2-3/4 lbs. This is a nice end-grain block of Black Cherry. It is entirely red-brown cherry heartwood. The color and grain pattern are very attractive. There is one small knot on one side that contains a small, thin and tight crack. This crack appears to be quite shallow and should be removed as the edges are turned when the blank is rounded. I see no other flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 127 $12.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 128 3" x 3" x 14-1/2" 3-3/4 lbs. This is a nice 3" square end-grain block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and linear to undulating grain pattern is very attractive. That lighter colored strip on one edge is a small area of sapwood. It was cut from close to the pith of the log and one thin pith-related radial crack is present on one corner of the back side (closest edge, right end, lower photo). This small crack is quite shallow and I do not consider it to be significant - it will turn off immediately as the the block is rounded. I see no other flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 128 $15.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 129 3" x 3" x 13" 3-1/4 lbs. This is another nice 3" square end-grain block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and linear to undulating grain pattern is very attractive. There is one thin drying check on one end (right end, lower photo). I suspect that this check is quite shallow and I do not consider it to be significant. It may reduce the useable length by 1/2". I see no other flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 129 $12.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 130 3" x 3" x 14-1/2" 4 lbs. This is another nice 3" square end-grain block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood and linear to undulating grain pattern is very attractive. There are several open, curving cracks on two edges of the face (right end, upper photo). These will turn off as the blank is rounded. There is also a series of thin, tight drying checks on the edge and outer portion of the back (not visible on the lower photo). I suspect that these checks are quite shallow and I do not consider them to be significant. If present at depth, they can be reinforced (and, if necessary filled) with CA glue during turning. I see no other flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 130 $14.00 click to enlarge Lot 777 Black Cherry 10"x9"x3 to 4" 8 lbs. This is a very nice half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry. It is almost entirely cherry red heartwood with a beautiful, colorful swirling grain around two knots. It also has a very nice grain (fiddleback?) in an area of compression wood at one end of the blank. This piece appears to be sound with no significant structural weakness. The larger of the two knots has a small hole - a possible bug hole? This is a very nice bowl blank. Sold Lot 777 $24.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 100 6" x 6" x 3" 3 lbs. This is a very nice block of Black Cherry cut from the area of a major crotch. It is all red-brown cherry heartwood with a beautiful flowing grain pattern that includes a crotch "flame" figure that is apparent on the front and back. I expect that flame will be an eye-catching feature in a small bowl. I see no cracks or other significant flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 100 $12.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 101 5" x 5" x 3" 2 lbs. This is another nice block of Black Cherry. It was cut from the side of a large limb and includes both heartwood and sapwood, as well as the outer side of the limb on one edge. You will have to consider that edge "void" when planning any turned form in this piece. The red-brown cherry heartwood exhibits a beautiful flowing grain pattern; the light brown heartwood is more of a linear grain pattern. I see no cracks or other significant flaws. Black Cherry Lot 101 $10.00 click to enlarge This Black Cherry bowl was recently turned from the same tree as the other pieces offered here. Additional examples of turnings in my Black Cherry are presented on Prairie's End Woodshop. click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 102 5" x 5" x 3" 2-1/2 lbs. This is another nice block of Black Cherry. It was cut from the side of a large limb and includes both heartwood and sapwood. The red-brown cherry heartwood exhibits a beautiful flowing grain pattern; the light brown heartwood is more of a linear grain pattern. Note - the color of the top photo is very close to the true color of the wood, that of the lower photo is off for some reason. There is a knot on one corner, but I see no cracks or other significant flaws. SOLD Black Cherry Lot 102 $10.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 103 5" x 4-1/2" x 3" 2 lbs. This is another nice block of Black Cherry. It was also cut from the side of a large limb and includes both heartwood and sapwood. The red-brown cherry heartwood exhibits a beautiful flowing grain pattern; the light brown heartwood is more of a linear grain pattern. I see no cracks or other significant flaws (that is an errant bandsaw cut on the edge in the lower photo). Sold Black Cherry Lot 103 $10.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 104 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" x 3" 2 lbs. This is another nice block of Black Cherry. It was cut from the side of a large limb and includes both heartwood and sapwood, as well as the outer side of the limb on one corner (bottom photo). That edge "void" is located in the portion that will likely be removed when the piece is roughed out. The red-brown cherry heartwood exhibits a beautiful flowing grain pattern; the light brown heartwood is more of a linear grain pattern. I see no cracks or other significant flaws but there is a barky gap on one edge. Sold Black Cherry Lot 104 $10.00 click to enlarge Sample - rough-turned Cherry bowl This is a small rough-turned bowl (now drying in my shop) turned from the same Black Cherry tree as Lots 775 thru 778 above. I have included it to give a glimpse of what the wood looks like when turned. Unfortunately, it's true beauty will not be apparent until the bowl is seasoned, turned to it's final form, and sanded and finished. But I promise - it will be a beauty! You can view additional (finished) Black Cherry bowls on my other website, www.prairiesend.com. click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 105 3" x 3" x 8" 2-1/2 lbs. This is a nice block of Black Cherry cut from the center of a major crotch. It includes both heartwood, sapwood and several areas of "included" bark associated with the crotch (top photo). The red-brown cherry heartwood exhibits a beautiful and complex grain pattern and includes a superb "flame figure" on the backside (lower photo). I see no cracks or other significant flaws although that "included" bark should be secured with CA glue during turning. Sold Black Cherry Lot 105 $20.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 106 6" x 6" x 12" 14 lbs. This is a beautiful large block of Black Cherry, also cut from the center of a major crotch. It is primarily heartwood although there is one open area that once contained "included" bark (top photo - the bark was lost during sawing). The grain is beautiful and complex, and includes a large, superb "flame figure" on the face (top photo). I see no major cracks or other significant flaws. Those dark and rough surfaces on the cut faces are due to my poor chainsaw techniques. That open "included" bark area may require filling (colorful epoxy or inlace?) during turning. Sold Black Cherry Lot 106 $50.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 107 7" x 5" x 2-1/2" 2 lbs. This is another nice block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood exhibits a gently flowing grain pattern. I see no cracks or other significant flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 107 $10.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 108 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 7" 1 lbs. This is a nice block of Black Cherry. The red-brown cherry heartwood exhibits an attractive grain pattern. I see no cracks or other significant flaws. Sold Black Cherry Lot 108 $10.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 110 7" diameter x 4" depth 4 lbs. This is a small half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry. It is also almost entirely cherry red heartwood with only a thin margin of sapwood. Two areas of burl are present on one side, and exhibit a complex burl-associated grain (left side, top photo). The colors are very nice. There are several cracks associated with the burly areas and I am not sure how sound this piece is. I would turn it but I would be careful to reinforce the burly areas with CA glue before and during the turning, and I would be prepared to fill any open areas. This half-log was cut parallel to and thru the pith - very little pith remains in this half. Black Cherry Lot 110 Sold face="Arial">$16.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 111 7" diameter x 4" depth 4 lbs. This is another small half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry. It is also almost entirely cherry red heartwood with only a thin margin of sapwood. An area of burl is present on one corner; this area exhibits a complex burl-associated grain (lower right side, top photo). The colors are very nice. This half-log was cut parallel to and thru the pith - very little pith remains in this half. There are several cracks associated with the burly areas and I am not sure how sound this piece is. I would turn it but I would be careful to reinforce the burly areas with CA glue before and during the turning, and I would be prepared to fill any open areas. Several thin, tight radial checks are also present on one end (lower photo). These may well turn-off when the piece is roughed-out. Sold Black Cherry Lot 111 $14.00 click to enlarge click to enlarge Black Cherry Lot 112 7" diameter x 4" depth 4 lbs. This is another small half-log bowl blank in Black Cherry, the half-brother of Lot 110. It is also almost entirely cherry red heartwood with only a thin margin of sapwood. Two areas of burl are present on one side, and exhibit a complex burl-associated grain (left side, top photo). The colors are very nice. There are several cracks associated with the burly areas and I am not sure how sound this piece is. I would turn it but I would be careful to reinforce the burly areas with CA glue before and during the turning, and I would be prepared to fill any open areas. This half-log was cut parallel to and thru the pith - very little pith remains in this half. Sold Black Cherry Lot 112 $16.00 Listing last updated 10 February 2010 Nothing here that suits your needs? Then send me an email at: l.stahl@maroon.com or a telephone call at: 281-392-5336 There is a good chance that I have more, either cut into blocks or in the rough log, so I may be able to meet your specific requirements. © 2008, Texas Woodcrafts