Cherry
Prunus serotina (figure varies)
Cherry is a reddish-brown hardwood with a smooth texture that darkens with age, commonly used for furniture, cabinetry, and interior millwork.
Janka
Price Tier
Dent Risk
Medium
Overview
American Black Cherry wood is a shop favorite because it balances a tight, silky grain with excellent machining properties. It cuts cleanly and holds fine detail, but the high gum content means it will burn in a heartbeat if your saw blades are dull or your feed rate pauses. Because the wood is photosensitive, it begins as a pale salmon and deepens into a rich reddish-brown with exposure to light. To avoid the splotchy look that often ruins a build, apply a thin coat of shellac or a dedicated wood conditioner before hitting it with oil or stain. It is a stable, medium-density hardwood that shrinks more than walnut during seasoning, so ensure your stock is fully acclimated before cutting joinery.
Key takeaways
- Use sharp tools to avoid tearout;
- Sort boards for color consistency;
- Use seal coat under film finishes;
- Let wood acclimate before cutting.
At a Glance
Hardness & Heft
Color & Figure
Color: Tan to reddish brown
Stability & Movement
Drying: End checks
Workability
Plays nice with
- Sands quickly
- Clear coats evenly
- Good screw holding
Fights you on
- Gummy sanding
- End-grain soak
- Color shift in UV
Finishing
- Surface Prep: 120 to 180 to 240
- Blotch risk: High
- Pores: Tight
Best Uses
Great for
- Furniture
- Drawer fronts
- Trim
Avoid for
- Direct sun
- Heavy stain
- Wide panels
Where it comes from
Midwest and eastern USA
Buying notes
- Sold As: Lumber and turning blanks
- Look For: Consistent figure and clean edges
What to Watch Out For
- Checking
- Knots
- Mineral streaks
Practical Alternatives
- Tornillo
- Soft Maple or Red Elm (Slippery)
- Walnut pairs nicely with cherry
Shop Notes / Deeper Dive
Cherry wood is notorious for burning if your saw blade or router bit lingers for even a second; keep your feed rate steady and your tooling sharp. The wood is highly photosensitive and will darken significantly over time, so be mindful of “shadows” left by hardware or templates during the build. It is prone to blotching, especially with stains or heavy oils, so a washcoat or conditioner is necessary for an even finish. Use a clean sanding progression to avoid visible scratches in the tight grain.
Like what you see?
While I occasionally work with some of these species, availability varies widely. If you’re researching woods for a custom project, feel free to reach out.
Reference Notes: Wood grain and color can vary significantly within a species depending on growing conditions, age, and cut orientation. Images on this page are provided as general reference examples and may not represent every possible variation of the species. Geographic distribution maps illustrate typical native or commonly cultivated ranges and may not reflect every region where the species occurs today.
Additional technical data and botanical information may be referenced from sources such as the USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook.