Softwoods
A forest is a carbon bank, every tree a deposit.
Discover how underutilized swampland can be converted into high-value black cherry tree plantations, yielding potential returns of up to **one million dollars per acre**. Learn strategic planting techniques that optimize growth, enhance wood quality, and maximize financial gain.
Black cherry wood is one of the most sought-after hardwoods in the woodworking industry. Known for its **rich reddish-brown hue**, fine grain, and superior workability, it is highly prized for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and decorative wood projects.
Successful black cherry plantations require careful management to produce high-quality, knot-free logs suitable for premium markets. Here’s how to cultivate the best trees:
Pruning is essential for producing **high-value, clear cherry wood**:
Black cherry plantations can generate **exceptional ROI** when managed correctly:
With a growing shortage of **high-quality cherry wood**, now is the ideal time to invest in **sustainable black cherry tree farming**:
The biggest **expense in establishing a plantation** is typically land acquisition. Fortunately, black cherry thrives in wetlands and swampy areas, where land is more affordable compared to prime agricultural properties.
While **black cherry trees naturally grow in swampy conditions**, planting traditional 12-to-24-inch seedlings **does not work in wetlands**. Young saplings can become waterlogged and die if submerged for extended periods. The solution? **Planting 10-foot-tall cherry saplings** that can survive seasonal flooding by keeping their foliage above water.
Since natural berms may not be sufficient to support an entire plantation, additional **man-made swamp berms** must be created to optimize tree survival and growth. These **elevated soil mounds** ensure proper drainage and root health.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how we create raised earth berms using a combination of clay mud pack, straw, rock, coarse sand, crushed rock, pebbles, and dead and green tree branches.
We choose the location: Select an area in the swamp with sufficient sunlight and minimal waterlogging. Black cherry trees thrive in full sun to partial shade, so ensure the chosen area receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
We design the berm: Plan the shape and size of the berm, taking into account the mature size of the black cherry trees. The berm should be large enough to accommodate the tree's root system and provide proper spacing between individual trees. You should work to create a berm that is 4 to 5 feet high and up to 30 feet wide.
We prepare the base: Remove any existing vegetation from the chosen area and dig a shallow trench (about 1-2 feet deep) in the shape of the berm. This will help stabilize the berm and improve drainage.
Layer the materials: Begin constructing the berm by layering the materials in the following order:
Topsoil: We add 1-2 feet of quality topsoil on top of the layered materials. This will provide the necessary nutrients for the black cherry trees to grow.
Plant the trees: We auger holes in the topsoil large enough to accommodate the root stem of the tall black cherry saplings. Space the trees approximately 8 feet apart to ensure proper growth and root stabilization of the berm. Insert the trees in the holes, and firmly fill in the remaining space with the topsoil. Gently tamp the soil around the base of the trees to eliminate air pockets and secure them in place.
Mulch: We then add a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, shredded bark, leaf residue or straw around the base of the trees. This will help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.
Water and maintain: We water the newly planted trees deeply and regularly, especially during the first year to ensure that the young black cherry trees take. Keep an eye on the trees for any signs of stress or disease, and prune as needed to maintain good air circulation and promote healthy growth.
By following these steps, we create raised earth berms in a swamp to grow healthy clumps of black cherry trees.
A grouping of black cherry trees are planted, spaced between 6 and 8 feet apart. The taller the tree with a more developed root, the better chance of survival the first dormant (winter) season. You will need more acreage to grow black cherry trees on swamp land due to the intermittent spacing between berms. To earn a million dollars per acre growing black cherry trees, you would need about 3 acres of swamp land to match the revenue generated by a flat land acre.
Black cherry wood (Prunus serotina) is one of the most sought-after **hardwoods in North America**, valued for its rich color, smooth grain, and exceptional durability. It is second only to black walnut in terms of value for **fine furniture and flooring**, making it a top choice for high-end woodworking projects.
Black cherry wood is a versatile material used in various applications, from fine furniture to musical instruments. Some of its most popular uses include:
Cherry wood’s warm tones and natural aging process make it **a favorite for heirloom furniture pieces**. It is widely used for:
Cherry hardwood flooring is **highly prized for its durability, smooth finish, and warm aesthetic**. It provides a classic look in **homes, offices, and historic renovations**.
Cherry wood is a top choice for high-end kitchen and bathroom cabinetry due to its beauty and workability. It is also used for:
Black cherry is an excellent tonewood, used in crafting musical instruments such as:
Cherry wood veneers are widely used in high-end interiors, automotive panels, and yacht detailing, offering an elegant, luxurious appearance.
Cherry’s fine grain and lightweight strength make it a preferred choice for custom **rifle and shotgun stocks**.
The **price of black cherry wood** depends on **grade, thickness, board size, and market conditions**. As a premium hardwood, it often commands higher prices compared to other common woods.
Note: Prices fluctuate based on availability, demand, and geographic location.
The following comments were collected from a national wood products discussion forum using black cherry wood in the United States.
Wild black cherry, in my opinion, is a wonderful wood and my personal favorite, except for the expense. If finished right, it will develop a rich patina with time and exposure to light. Generally, the light sapwood is removed and only the heartwood is used. However, some manufacturers use it all and bleach all the natural color out of it then add a stain to recolor. Generally, Pennsylvania Wild Black Cherry commands a premium price. When I was visiting Colonial Williamsburg, they were working with VA cherry wood and said it was nowhere near the quality of the PA Black Cherry.
Wild black cherry is extremely popular with cabinetmakers. It is easy to work, fine textured, strong and durable. Highly rated in all working properties including wood bending and turning and becomes darker and richer with age. The wood finishes smoothly and is dimensionally stable. It is easily machined. It can be sawn cleanly, turned well, and planned excellently with standard cutting angles. Screw-holding ability is good, as is gluing, except where gum streaks are present. The gum content can make it susceptible to scorching from blade friction. The scorching is best avoided with sharp tools and fast feed rates, were possible. Durability is rated as very resistant to heartwood decay. a Wild black cherry treehas an exceptionally fine figure and almost satiny light reddish-brown color. Its figure and stable, close grain have been valued by furniture and cabinetmakers for centuries. It is light and strong. The rich red heartwood of this tree makes it one of the most valuable trees in the forest. Large, veneer-grade trees can be worth many thousand dollars each. Hardwood lumber mills are constantly seeking quality sources of large diameter black cherry. Thus, it is becoming increasingly rare to find stands of reasonably sized trees. Three or four wild black cherry trees are typically found growing in clumps scattered about the forest but if they were gathered into a pre-planned black cherry tree plantation it could be worth a million dollars an acre.
What happened to those 158 towering, mature wild black cherry trees - which may have been worth up to $4 million the Cook County Forest Preserve District cut down in south suburban Swallow Cliff Woods? That is the most intriguing question I've been getting from Chicago Sun-Times readers since last Thursday's column on a new federal lawsuit challenging the district's controversial "restoration" project in the preserves.
Wild black is not abundant outside its commercial range. It accounts for only 0.3 percent (about 3 billion cubic feet) of the net volume of hardwood growing stock on commercial forest land in the eastern United States and only 0.2 percent (about 5 billion board feet) of the net volume of hardwood saw timber. Approximately one-half of the current growing stock is 11 inches in diameter or smaller. Chances of increased timber volume under present practices do not appear good, although the commercial range extends from southern New York to West Virginia, better quality cherry wood is generally found in quantity only in Pennsylvania. The continued high demand for the better grades for use in furniture, veneer, and plywood along with the small volume available seem to insure an increasingly short supply. It is not grown in plantations in any volume but if it was Black Cherry Tress would easily be worth a million dollars an acre. Current lumber prices for Black Cherry rank the species comparable in value to hard maple, higher than ash, but lower than yellow birch. Cherry is most valuable in veneer log form, and prices up to $700 per thousand board feet are being paid for the best logs.
Black cherry tree cherries and berries are small, round fruit that grow on the black cherry tree (Prunus serotina). The fruit has a dark purple-black color, a tart flavor, and a thin skin. Black cherry trees are commonly found growing in singularly or in clumps in forests, along riverbanks, and low-lying wetlands.
Harvesting black cherry tree cherries and berries typically takes place in late summer to early fall, depending on the climate and growing conditions. The berries are ready to harvest when they ripen a deep, dark red color. To pick berries from a tree gently twist the fruit from the stem by hand or use a pair of scissors to cut the stem close to the fruit. Be sure to handle the fruit carefully to avoid bruising or damaging the delicate skin.
Black cherry tree cherries and berries are versatile fruits that can be used to make jams and jellies, pies, and drinks.
Jams and jellies: Black cherry berries make delicious jams and jellies for spreading on toast. Making black cherry jams and jellies is surprisingly easy: simply cook the fruit with sugar and pectin until it reaches the desired consistency, then pour into sanitized jars and let cool.
Pies and cobblers: Black cherry tree cherries and berries are also great for making pies and cobblers. One simple method would be to combine the fruit with sugar, flour, and spices and pour the mixture into a pie crust and bake until golden brown.
Drinks: Black cherry tree cherries and berries can be used to flavor a variety of drinks, including soda, tea, and cocktails.
The bark and leaves of the black cherry tree are known to indigenous peoples for their medicinal benefits.
A secondary income growing black cherry tree cherries, berries and bark may not earn a million dollars an acre but it certainly would cover the set up cost and year-to-year maintenance for the plantation.
From maple to oak, hardwoods whisper of centuries past, their slow growth a testament to patience and value over time.
Partner with us in a land management project to repurpose agricultural lands into appreciating tree assets. We have partnered with growingtogive.org, a 501c3 nonprofit, to create tree planting partnerships with land donors.
We have partnered with growingtogive.org, a Washington State nonprofit to create a land and tree partnership program that repurposes agricultural land into appreciating tree assets.
The program utilizes privately owned land to plant trees that would benefit both the landowner and the environment.
If you have 100 acres or more of flat, fallow farmland and would like to plant trees, then we would like to talk to you. There are no costs to enter the program. You own the land; you own the trees we plant for free and there are no restrictions; you can sell or transfer the land with the trees anytime.
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