Cherry Serving Boards

Paddle shaped serving boards, handmade using timber from a fallen cherry tree at a farm in Warwickshire.

The brief for this was to try and make use of the timber from the customers favourite cherry tree, and save it from the wood burner! Shaping the paddles was fun, especially crafting the handles so they were comfortable to hold. I carefully made the basic shape with my chainsaw, then Japanese Dozuki, finishing with a wood file and of course lots of sanding to a fine grit.

Cherry is often used in the afforestation of agricultural land, due to their high value as a food source for a diverse range of wildlife. Although our native Wild Cherry is a comparably smaller tree than the softer American Black Cherry, it has a much higher Janka hardness rating, so its timber is more resistant to scratches and dents. This hardwood has a tight, closed-grain (unlike Oak for example) meaning it is effective at keeping liquid and therefore bacteria from entering the cutting surface, making it great for serving boards!

These boards have been treated with several coats of food-grade fractionated coconut oil, Osmo TopOil to the back and sides for durability, and my own Chopping Board Conditioner to provide a water-resistant protective finish.