Black Cherry
For a pleasant-smelling, easy-burning hardwood -- black cherry seasons in about a year, splits readily and gives moderate heat with a sweet aroma.
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Why this fits you
- You want a hardwood that smells good and burns cleanly.
- You like to split by hand and season in a year or less.
- You are happy to use a moderate-heat wood for stoves and fireplaces.
Black cherry is a mid-density hardwood with about 20 million BTU per cord. It splits readily, seasons in roughly 6 to 12 months and burns with a sweet, pleasant aroma that many people prefer for open fireplaces. It is less commonly sold than oak or maple, but it is easy to use when you can get it.
Heat value and burn behaviour
Cherry burns steadily with few sparks and leaves a modest amount of ash. Heat output is moderate, below oak and hickory but similar to ash and above softwoods. It is good for shoulder-season heating and for fires where the smell matters.
Seasoning and splitting
Cherry dries in about 6 to 12 months and splits cleanly. It is a good wood for hand splitting. Check with a moisture meter and burn when it reads around 20 percent or below.
Cooking and smoking
Cherry is a favourite smoking wood, producing a mild, fruity smoke. Keep a small stack of well-seasoned, untreated cherry separate for cooking, and never use green wood or wood from treated lumber for food.
Supply and cost
Black cherry is less common as cordwood. It often comes from landowners clearing trees or from tree services. Because it is valuable as lumber, it is sometimes expensive where sold as firewood, so ask about the source and price per cord. Wilted cherry leaves are toxic to livestock, so keep fresh limbs away from pasture.
When to choose something else
For the longest burns in deep cold, choose oak, hickory or black locust. Choose cherry when you want a pleasant-smelling, easy-to-process hardwood and have a local supply.
How it compares
| Species | BTU/cord (millions) | Season time |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 24-29 | 1-2 years |
| Hickory | 27-30 | 1-2 years |
| Ash | 20-24 | 6-12 months |
| Sugar Maple | 21-24 | 6-12 months |
| White Pine (softwood) | 15-17 | 3-6 months |
| Black Locust | 26-29 | 1-2 years |
| Red Maple | 18-20 | 6-12 months |
| Black Cherry | 20-21 | 6-12 months |
Buying checklist
- Ask the seller whether the wood is cherry or a mixed load
- Keep wilted cherry limbs away from horses and livestock
- Store a small separate stack of seasoned cherry if you plan to smoke food
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
Is cherry good firewood?
Yes. It burns cleanly and smells pleasant, with moderate heat and quick seasoning.
Can I use cherry for smoking meat?
Yes, when it is seasoned and untreated. It gives a mild, fruity smoke.
Is cherry wood poisonous to burn?
No, but fresh wilted leaves and twigs are toxic to livestock, so keep them away from animals.
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