Name European Cherry (Prunus avium)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as cherry, wild cherry, gean, mazzard, merisier, and kers.
Sources Distributed throughout Europe and southeast Asia.
Appearance Generally straight grained with a fairly uniform texture and a rich luster. Light to dark reddish brown heartwood and narrow, nearly white sapwood. Often exhibits greater color contrast than American black cherry.
Physical Props Moderately hard and heavy, strong, stiff, and moderately stable in service. Heartwood has moderate decay resistance. Steam-bends very well.
Working Props Machines well with both hand and machine tools. Turns quite satisfactorily. Holds screws and nails well, glues and stains easily, and polishes to an excellent finish that naturally darkens with age.
Uses Highly prized for cabinets, furniture, carving, and turnery. Also used for paneling, decorative veneer, architectural woodwork, caskets, woodenware, novelties, musical instruments, gun stocks, handles, and toys.

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Name American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as chestnut, chinkapin, and sweet chestnut.
Sources Grows in eastern half of United States.
Appearance Straight grained and coarse-textured with low to medium luster. Narrow, light-colored sapwood and reddish brown heartwood that darkens with age.
Physical Props Light and soft (dents easily) with modest strength and shock resistance. Excellent decay resistance. Poor steam bending rating.
Working Props Machines very well but splits easily - pre-drilling recommended for screws and nails. Turns reasonably well. Glues and finishes satisfactorily.
Uses In scarce supply today, but formerly used for furniture caskets, musical instruments, boxes, woodenware, interior trim, shingles, piling, fenceposts, railroad ties.

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Name European Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as sweet chestnut and Spanish chestnut.
Sources Grows in southwest Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.
Appearance Straight or sometimes spiral grained with coarse texture, yellowish brown heartwood and narrow, pale-colored sapwood.
Physical Props Medium weight with low bending and crushing strength, very low stiffness and shock resistance, moderate decay resistance and poor stability in use.
Working Props Works fairly easily with hand or machine tools and has good screw and nail holding properties. Glues well and stains and polishes to an excellent finish. Natural acidity tends to cause blue-black stains when in contact with iron.
Uses Used for casks, coffins, poles, turned walking sticks, stakes, umbrella handles, furniture, kitchen utensils, bowls, and veneer.

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