The WOOD is reddish-brown with yellowish [sapwood], moderately heavy, hard, strong, fine-grained, and does not warp or split in seasoning. With the exception of black walnut, cherry lumber has a greater unit value than any other [hardwood] of the eastern United States. Cherry is prized for furniture.
The SOUTHWESTERN BLACK CHERRY, Prunus serotina var. rufula (Woot. and Standl.) McVaugh is found in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas. At least five other cherry species are native to Texas. All have shrubby growth.
CAROLINA LAURELCHERRY
Prunus caroliniana (Mill.) Ait.
Called by many local names such as cherry laurel, wild peach, and mock orange, this species is native to the eastern portion of the state to the valley of the Guadalupe River, where it is found on deep rich moist bottomlands. It is apparently free from disease and quite adaptable for landscape planting. It is usually a small tree but sometimes reaches a height of 50 to 60 feet and 18 inches in diameter when cultivated. The partially withered leaves and young branches can be fatal to animals browsing upon them, owing to presence of poisonous hydrocyanic acid.
CAROLINA LAURELCHERRY (Two-thirds natural size)
The [BARK] is rather smooth, gray, and marked by almost black blotches.
The LEAVES are [persistent], oblong-lanceolate, with a few tiny sharp teeth along the margins, dark lustrous green above, paler below. They cling until the second year.
The small white FLOWERS come in clusters, in early spring. The [FRUIT], a lustrous black [drupe], ripens in autumn, and clings until the following spring. The fruit is eaten by some birds.
The WOOD is heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, rich brown in color, with a thick, lighter colored [sapwood].