Cherry
Cherry is the domestic hardwood that rewards patience. It looks flat when you first mill it — pale, unimpressive — and then UV does its thing and you end up with some of the richest color in any North American species. It works like a dream, finishes without fuss, and ages in a way no stain can fake. If you're building heirloom furniture, cherry is the answer.
- Judging fresh cherry as 'too light' and staining it — stain fights cherry's natural color development; let UV do what it does and you'll get something no stain can replicate
- Mixing old and new cherry stock in one project — boards that have been aging in the shop will be significantly darker than fresh-cut boards, and they won't match for years
- Ignoring gum pockets in figured stock — these resin spots can bleed through finish; seal them with shellac before topcoating
Freshly cut heartwood is pale pinkish-tan — easily mistaken for light maple. Dramatic color change occurs with light exposure; within weeks it deepens to a rich red-brown that many woodworkers consider the finest natural color of any domestic species. Sapwood is pale cream and not used in fine work.
One of the finest-working domestic hardwoods. Cuts cleanly, planes beautifully, finishes to a silky surface with minimal effort. The main quirk: fresh cherry looks underwhelming — the color transformation only happens with UV exposure. Gum pockets occasionally cause finishing issues in figured stock.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Widely available |
| Europe | Regional / select dealers |
| Australia / NZ | Specialty importers only |
| Southeast Asia | Specialty importers only |
| South America | Specialty importers only |
| Africa / Middle East | Specialty importers only |