Cherry Board and Its Beginning...

The forest in North Central Pennsylvania, specifically Sullivan County, is the home of Dwight Lewis Lumber Co. The sawmill started in 1941 on a family farm. About 30% of the annual harvest is black cherry, with much of that coming from company-held timberland.

A mature cherry tree is at least 75 years old and may be as old as 120 years. Trained foresters manage the lands and assess the harvest plan based on environmental and ownership concerns. Much of that is governed by the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Certification), which is leading sustainable forest management through the world’s most rigorous certification system.

Turning Cherry Trees into Cherry Boards

The tree is cut down, the branches are removed, and the wood is cut to length (8-16’). It is then moved to a central site and loaded into the log yard.

Batched by species, the cherry goes through a debarker and metal detector before being scanned for best yield at the band saw head rig. All bark is stored after removal for mulch.

The rounded slabs are removed and chipped up for paper and board sheet production, while the sawdust is collected and sold off as a fuel source. Boards are then produced in the mill through a series of resaws and edgers.

Chopped to length to maximize yield without losing too much to split ends, the lumber is sent down a slide system to be stuck every 12” for air movement to remove excessive moisture. The boards are then placed in the dry kiln for approximately 10 days. Finally, the kiln is emptied, and the lumber is stacked after the moisture content reaches six to eight percent.

Who Buys Our Cherry Boards?

The cherry boards are separated by grade and sent to a holding facility until they are sold. The grade depends on the width, length, grain, and natural characteristics, like gum streaks and heartwood/sapwood mixes.

But who buys them? Cabinet, furniture, and millwork manufacturers often buy boards by the pack. Some boards are shipped to retail operations where hobbyists and small woodworkers look at the individual board for purchase.

Learn More About Quality Board Selection

We are selecting only the finest boards for you as if they were for our own use. If you are interested in something more specific than offered, we will try to accommodate you. Please include such details with your order.