European cherry
Frequently asked questions
Can European cherry be laser cut?
Yes: European cherry can be laser cut. Adequate extraction/ventilation is required.
Can European cherry be CNC machined?
Yes: European cherry can be CNC machined.
Is European cherry food safe?
Yes, European cherry is food safe even in its raw state.
Physical properties
| Density | 550.0–650.0 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Janka hardness | 3100.0 N |
| Moisture absorption | Medium |
Laser processing
Typical organic fumes from hardwood. No particularly toxic compounds compared to other hardwoods. Standard extraction recommended to protect optics.
CO₂: Excellent laser material. Medium density (550–650 kg/m³) makes it cuttable up to 6–8 mm with 40–60 W at moderate speeds. Engraving produces a very elegant brown-pinkish contrast on the naturally light background. The characteristic flame figure produces particularly striking effects in photo or vector-fill engravings. Slightly reduce power in knotty areas.
Diode: Cutting feasible up to 3–4 mm with 10 W+ diodes. Good engraving quality. The flame grain may require test runs to find optimal parameters.
Fiber: Not applicable.
CNC / milling processing
Excellent machinability. Grain generally straight or slightly wavy. The flame figure can create sudden contra-grain zones: keep tools sharp and reduce lateral step to 35% of diameter in pronounced flame areas. Recommended chipload 0.10–0.15 mm/tooth. One of the easiest European hardwoods to mill.
Post-processing
Sanding: Easy sanding. Grits 120 → 180 → 240. Pay attention in flame-grain areas: fibre direction changes abruptly. The sanded surface gains a very pleasant natural sheen at 240.
Primer: No primer needed for oil or clear coat finishes. For opaque paints, apply a sealer to prevent resin bleeding from young wood. Freshly cut cherry is resin-rich.
Gluing: Excellent adhesion with D3/D4 PVA. Clean resinous residues from young wood surfaces before gluing. Compatible with epoxy adhesives without specific issues.
Seasoning: Relatively easy seasoning. Target moisture 8–10 %. No particular internal tensions. Avoid drying too fast for sections >50 mm thick.
Over time: European cherry is famous for its chromatic ageing: the light pinkish/hazel tone of young wood progressively darkens into a rich chocolate-red brown over years. The process is accelerated by light. Considered an aesthetic advantage in cabinet-making.
Common defects
- Rapid yellowing and darkening under direct sunlight — requires UV-filter finish
- Resin stains on surfaces in freshly dried young wood
- Marked tonal variation between the dark heartwood and the light sapwood zone
- Frequent small knots (Prunus avium is not a straight-grained forest tree)
Safety
Recommended PPE: mask_p3, eye_protection
Carcinogenic dust (hardwood, IARC). No specific toxic compounds. P3 mask and standard extraction.
Availability and formats
Commercial formats: sawn boards, veneers for furniture, sliced veneers for lutherie
Sources
- Wood Database — Prunus avium
- Centro Studi Legno — Latifoglie pregiate europee
- FNR — Eigenschaften von Vogelkirsche (DE)
Information on compatibility, processing parameters and safety is purely indicative. MakerSpecs accepts no liability for damage to persons or property arising from the use of this data. Always check the safety rules and the manufacturer's official manuals before carrying out any processing.