The best cherry, on this continent at least, comes from northwest PA. I can buy PA cherry here in IN, but the supply is so limited that it is nearly impossible to find 100 bdft of 4/4 and 40 bdft of 5/4 that matches well enough in grain and color to build the big hutch I have planned. I figure my best bet would be to go to the source (i.e., northwest PA), but there may be other options closer to home. Does anyone have any personal experience with a really good supplier of PA cherry in the IN, OH, MI, KY, Pa area? One that will allow you to come in and sort out what you want!
I’ve looked on the internet for this info, but without much success. Surely there is some list of lumber dealers out there somewhere. What is their web site?
Replies
Try http://www.hearnehardwoods.com (888) 814 - 0007. Speak to Crissy. I've never visited, but they are very accomodating to long distance purchasers and I am sure they'll let you look around.
I've bought from Hearnes and they are a great source- but only 40 minute from me down Route 1, so I haven't had them ship.They do ship by the internet, not sure how they could pick and choose to your satisfaction, but they are honest and earnest so it might be worth a try,Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
If you are looking for a spectacular piece, their web site has photos of individual boards.
View Image
Glaucon
Hearn Hardwood apparently doesn't have a web site, at least not through Google.
Jim
It's Hearne Hardwoods: http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/
-Steve
Saschafer,
It's interesting that I did get a Hearn Hardwood, but it was a comment for a different web site. Hearne works much better. Looks like it's also a good source if you want some really wide boards! Thanks for the help!
Jim
smslaw,
Somehow I buzzed right over the top of your response. But I did finally get to Hearne's web site. Looks like a good source for a lot of things, particularly if you're in the market for wide boards! Thanks for the suggestion.
Jim
I'm sure that Hern Hardwood would supply some great wood. However, I get mine from a local Menonite business for $3.20 bf. Hicksville Planning Mill, Clear Springs, Md (Western Md) 301-842-3474.
Wonderful people to work with and the price is always right.
Barry in WV
Have you tried Frank Miller Lumber (Union City IN, right on the IN/OH border)?
Take a look at http://www.woodfinder.com/ for some leads. As for specific sources, I've had good luck with West Penn Hardwoods (which, despite the name, is actually in New York), although their prices aren't the lowest. You might also try Muterspaw Lumber, which is in Xenia OH, perhaps close enough to you that you can visit.
-Steve
Saschafer,
Very good suggestions! I have been on the web sites of both Miller and Muterspaw and will be checking them out in person very soon. I also used the woodfinder to locate Horizon Wood Products in Kersey, PA. They sell a LOT of cherry flitches, which is probably my best option for matched figure and color, but I'll check out the two sources closer to home first. Many thanks for your help!
Jim
Jim,
Try these guys, you won't be disappointed.
http://www.irionlumber.com/
Russ.
Russ,
Irion looks like a very good source, and they're not that far away from Horizon. I could check both of them out on the same trip. Sounds like a plan!
I've also been admiring your work on your web site. Beautiful pieces and craftsmanship! I particularly like the quilted maple and bubinga coffee table. That combination really grabs the eye!
I've been in Sudbury twice; the first time was 52 years ago. Eight of us had been on an island in Georgian Bay fishing, and when our week was up we had to get out of there. We couldn't go back to Tobermory due to fog, so we flew into Sudbury for the night. Had a nice time while we were there.
Thanks again for the info.
Jim
Jim, try Groff and Groff in Quarryville Pa. They have lots. 800 342 0001. Ask for Doug.
Thanks, I'll check them out.
Jim
Being from Mich, as far as I know I have never ran into PA Cherry. The suppliers I have used tend to pick it up locally.
So is their a big dif, and if so what is it?
I pick up Cherry anywhere from 3.50 to 5 a BF (depending on how much, how thick/wide etc) So it may not be practical to get it from PA but I like cherry and I would be interested in why one cherry is noticeably different then another. I mean it is not like PA and MI have really different climates.
Doug
Doug
The coniferous forests of northern PA were clear cut in the 19th century and the loggers just walked away. The forests reseeded themselves with hardwoods, and the cherry there has the best figure and color of any in the country; maybe because of the high-acid soil. Catering to the furniture industry and cabinet shops, the mills there always have a lot of flitches on hand. Check out this web site and you'll see what I mean: http://www.horizonwood.com. This is one of the mills I will be checking out in April.
We have a lot of cherry here in IN as well, in fact I have several on my property, but none large enough for lumber. But, finding a good flitch here is tough. Most people don't want that much at one time, they cost a bit more per bdft, and I don't think the mills want to mess with them either.
Jim
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