Transforming Swampland Into Million Dollar An Acre Black Cherry Tree Plantations
Learn how to turn swampland into a profitable tree growing enterprise cultivating black cherry trees. Discover how innovative planting techniques on cheap swampy lands can yield returns of a million dollars per acre.
If you had a 30-foot tall, 3-foot-wide black cherry sawlog to sell it would be worth well over $2,500. Now imagine if you had an acre of them. You would be sitting on a small fortune, perhaps as much as a million dollars!
The most valuable cherry wood is straight and clear grained - free of knots, blemishes and other imperfections. This quality of cherry wood is becoming harder to find however, because the last of the old growth virgin cherry was logged over 50 years ago. What remains are scattered juveniles of cherry growing in hard to access wetlands and swamps. A few large black cherry trees may have survived in one or more woodlots on some American farms.
The result is a shortage of knot-free, wide-board black cherry wood, particularly in long lengths.
Black cherry trees are grown for their high-quality wood, which is used for wood carvings, furniture, flooring, and cabinetry. The wood has a beautiful reddish-brown color and a fine grain, making it popular choice for decorative woodworking projects.
- Veneer is the most valuable: Veneer-grade wood that is straight-grained, uniform in color, and free from knots and defects will fetch top dollar. To produce high-quality veneer, the trees should be grown in a dense forest or berm swamp with minimal exposure to wind and other environmental stresses.
- Dimensional lumber is also valuable: While veneer is the most valuable, dimensional lumber is also in high demand for construction and woodworking projects. To produce high-quality dimensional lumber, the trees should be grown in a plantation setting with good spacing and minimal competition from other trees.
- Knot-free wood is best: Knots can weaken the wood and make it less valuable for woodworking. To produce knot-free wood, the trees should be pruned regularly to remove branches and encourage straight, clear stems.
- Virgin red color: The beautiful reddish-brown color of black cherry wood is one of its most desirable qualities. To ensure that the wood retains its rich color, the trees should be grown in a shaded or wet swamp environment to minimize exposure to direct sunlight.
Growing high-quality black cherry trees requires careful management and attention to detail. A plantation owner can achieve an ROI of a million dollars an acre following best practices for pruning, spacing, and environmental management and grow some of the most sought-after lumber in the woodworking industry.
Why Is Knot-Free Cherry Wood So Valuable?
- Aesthetics: Knots in wood can be visually unappealing, especially in high-end furniture, flooring, or cabinetry. Knot-free wood is more uniform in appearance, allowing for a more consistent and refined finished product.
- Strength and Durability: Knots can weaken the structural integrity of wood, making it prone to splitting or cracking. Knot-free wood, on the other hand, is stronger and more durable.
- Workability: Knots can be difficult to work with, as they can cause saw blades or other cutting tools to dull quickly. Knot-free wood is much easier to work and safter to work with in the shop.
A Million Dollars An Acre Growing Black Cherry Trees
There is an opportunity to provide wide plank cherry for some enterprising growers. The opportunity to make a million dollars an acre growing black cherry trees. The issue for investors, as it is with most hardwood tree species, is the time it takes to harvest and get a financial return. Consequently, there are few if any commercial black cherry tree plantations in the United States.
One of the first hurtles for a grower is the cost of land, by far the greatest expense to establish a cherry tree plantation. Fortunately, black cherry trees prefer to grow in wetlands and swamps, which is the cheapest land to buy.
Transplanting short 12-to-24-inch cherry seedlings will not work in a swampland plantation; trees submerged in water for weeks at a time in the spring will become waterlogged and die. The answer is to transplant our 10-foot-tall cherry saplings, which can be grown in a temporary nursery, which we can build on the land. Over 90% of the saplings will survive seasonal flooding because their leaves grow above water.
It takes about 5 years to grow a 10-foot-tall sapling from a 24-inch seedling in our proprietary pyramid pots, which can be used to grow more transplants for another plantation.
In the wild, black cherry grows on small, raised berms of grass and soil. The berms elevate the base of the tree above the lowest point in the swamp, helping the root system drain as springtime flooding subsides. We use our drone to locate existing berms for planting as a first step to creating the cherry tree plantation. We then locate additional spots where we can create man-made swamp berms made from hilled earth. The number of artificial berms will depend on the density of natural berms in the plantation. The right materials need to be layered in the right order to ensure that the berm will last. It also needs to be the right size; around 30 feet across and 3 feet above the highest flood water in the spring. A combination of clay mud pack, straw, rock, and live branches are great materials for making black cherry tree berms.
Making Earthen Berms To Grow Black Cherry Trees On Cheap Swamp Land
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:
- a. Clay mud pack: We add a 6-8 inch layer of clay mud pack on the bottom of the trench. This will help retain moisture and provide a solid base for the berm.
- b. Straw: We add a 4-6 inch layer of straw on top of the clay mud pack. This will help improve aeration and drainage within the berm.
- c. Rock and coarse sand: We mix rocks and coarse sand in equal proportions and add a 4-6 inch layer on top of the straw, which help with water filtration and drainage.
- d. Crushed rock and pebbles: We add a 4-6 inch layer of mixed crushed rock and pebbles. This will provide additional drainage and support for the berm's structure.
- e. Dead and green tree branches: We layer dead and green tree branches on top of the crushed rock and pebbles, filling any gaps with more straw. This will create air pockets and promote beneficial microorganisms.
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
Second to black walnut in value as fine furniture and flooring hardwood, black cherry wood is prized for its rich color and fine graining. The fine, satiny texture of the wood is uniform and frequently wavy, with distinctive gum veins and pockets. The lustrous heartwood ranges from light to dark reddish brown, contrasting sharply with the sapwood, which may be light brown to pale with a light pinkish tone.
How Much Does Black Cherry Wood Cost?
The cost of black cherry wood depends on grade of the wood, thickness, and size of the lumber, and market conditions at the time of sale. Generally, black cherry wood is considered a premium hardwood and can command a higher price than many other common woods.
As of February 2023, the price of black cherry wood in the United States ranged from $3 to $12 per board foot.
Working With Wild Black Cherry
The following comments were collected from a national wood products discussion forum using black cherry wood in the United States.
Comment from contributor A:
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.
Comment from contributor B:
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.
Comment from contributor C:
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.
Comment from contributor D:
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.
Creating Supplemental Income Growing Black Cherry Berries And Cherries
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.
Medicinal Uses
The bark and leaves of the black cherry tree are known to indigenous peoples for their medicinal benefits.
- Pain relief: The bark and leaves of black cherry trees contain salicylate, a compound that acts like the active ingredient in aspirin.
- Digestive aid: Black cherry tree bark has been used as a digestive aid for centuries to reduce inflammation and promote healthy bowel movements.
- Respiratory health: Black cherry tree bark has also been used to promote respiratory health. It can help to relieve coughs and congestion, reduce inflammation in the airways, and promote healthy breathing.
- Anti-cancer properties: Studies have shown that compounds found in the bark can help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and may be an effective treatment against certain types of cancer.
- Other uses: Black cherry tree bark has also been used to treat gout, fever, and high blood pressure.
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.
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