Cherry Wood Question?

[ed morini]

If it is cherry, and there is a good sized but section you should see a layer of white (cream) wood next to the bark, followedby light pink to red center section. When cut there is a definite fragrant smell. If your going to dry it as bole (log) then remove the bark, you will get end checking as the stockdries out. If you want it for plugs, bandsaw to the thickness you need and let it dry with air circulation arounf it. Outside there will not be much drying this time of year as the water held inside will be frozen. If you dry it inside coat the ends with old latex paint to prevent checking. If your basement is fairly dry it will tke sveral months to reach a point of equlibrium with the surrounding air.
If you intend to burn it then I would let it season outside till next year. Green firewood (fresh cut) has to much moisture to be an effective heat source. In addition the miosture that is given off during burning will contain resins that will lead to creosote production, not good for chimneys.

Ed

[Sudsy]

Give it a sniff, fresh cut cherry wood has a very recognizable smell.

[BigFish]

It does have a cream colored wood around the exterior and darker rose colored in the center!

[justplugit]

Look around the stump and see if there are any pits, Larry.

[NIB]

I can not tell a lie.

[Nebe]

FYI i use cherry at work for all my woodn shaping tools. Cherry does not like to burn. Or lat least the wet cherry that i use that has been soaked in water can take a serious heat whoopin and not burn. you might have to dry it out for a long time to get it to burn

[gone fishin]

If you are drying it as a log, be sure to either remove the bark or at least run the chainsaw the length of the piece just through the bark.

I turned some cherry that I got from a cabinet shop and it works awsome.