What are the grading rules for American black cherry?
The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) grading rules for American black cherry fall into the category of Standard Inspection. (See AHEC’s The Illustrated Guide to American Hardwood Lumber Grades for an explanation of the NHLA Standard Grades.) It’s important to note that cherry has several characteristics that are inherent to the species and are not considered defects. Notably, gum streaks and spots are admitted without limit, small 1⁄8in (3.18mm) pin knots are admitted in the clear-cuttings and sapwood is not considered a defect. A buyer and his supplier can add their own restrictions as to the amount of sapwood allowed in cherry, but this is an exception to the Standard Grades and must be spelled out in the contract for the shipment. Q: In your last article, you talked about an 80/20 mix for the FAS/ FAS1FACE grades. Is there a rule for what percentage must be included in a shipment? A: No, these percentages are strictly left to individual buyer and seller agreement. The NHL
