Curious if your woodlot has cherry trees? Native to Michigan, black cherry trees are the largest of the local cherry species, and the only ones valuable for commercial use. Known by names like wild black cherry, rum cherry, and mountain black cherry, these trees are prized for their high-quality wood, often used in luxury furniture.
How to Identify Black Cherry Trees in Your Woodlot
What does a black cherry tree look like? Black cherry trees are recognizable by their pointed oval leaves and dark, scaly bark, which peels up at the edges, giving a “burnt potato chip” appearance. In spring, they produce white flowers that eventually become small, bitter cherries.
Black Cherry (Prunus Serotina)
- Leaf: They have pointed oval leaves with fine serrations that turn from green to red and yellow in the fall.
- Flower/Seed: They produce white flowers that grow in long clusters and then pea-sized, bitter cherry fruits.
- Bark: They have dark, scaly bark that flips up on the edges when the tree matures.
- Size: They can grow to be around 50-100 feet tall, depending on the variety.
- Lifespan: They typically live around 100-250 years.
- How Fast They Grow: They are moderate to fast growers, growing around 1-2 feet per year and reaching full maturity within 30-50 years.
Is Cherry a Hardwood?
Yes, cherry is classified as a medium-density soft hardwood, valued for its smooth texture, fine grain, and warm reddish-brown color. Its resistance to shock and decay makes it a top choice for high-end furniture, cabinetry, paneling, and musical instruments.
Learn about the difference between hardwoods and softwoods.
What are Black Cherry Trees Worth?
When it comes to determining the worth of your cherry trees, it can vary on several factors including:
Species and Volume
Black cherry is popular in the timber market for its impressive size and quality. If you have a good number of mature black cherry trees, you’re likely to see a higher overall value. Harvesting several trees at once not only lowers costs but also makes the sale more appealing, helping you get the most from your woodlot.
Accessibility
If your property is close to a sawmill or main roads, that may mean higher prices for your black cherry timber due to reduced transportation and equipment costs.
Tree Size and Quality
Bigger, well-shaped black cherry trees can earn top dollar, especially if they have consistent color, fewer knots, and a smooth, straight grain. Premium logs like these are highly sought after for quality furniture and cabinetry, giving you the best return on your timber.
Market Demand
Cherry wood’s rich, reddish-brown color and fine finish make it popular in luxury furniture, cabinetry, and even musical instruments. When demand in these industries is high, your cherry trees are worth more, so timing your sale to market trends can pay off. A timber buyer can help you choose the best time to maximize value.
Learn more about timber appraisal.
Harvesting Black Cherry Trees with Buskirk Lumber
Ready to harvest your woodlot of mature cherry trees? Let Buskirk Lumber’s expert timber procurement team guide you through the process. By selling directly to our sawmill, you get the best return for your timber, and with our own trucking fleet, you won’t have to worry about outsourcing transportation.
Regular harvesting is key to keeping your woodlot healthy. We use sustainable selective harvesting, carefully removing only the most mature trees that meet industry standards. This method helps open up space for younger, stronger trees to flourish, improving the overall health and oxygen production of your forest.
As Michigan’s trusted buyers of standing cherry timber, we also offer referral incentives for harvesting multiple woodlots in the same area. Get in touch with us to see how we can help you maximize your profits by coordinating jobs efficiently!
