Cherry Wood for Fine Furniture & Cabinets

American black cherry is a premium domestic hardwood with a rich, warm reddish-brown colour that deepens significantly with light exposure over time. It has a fine, straight grain with occasional mild figure, a Janka hardness of approximately 950, and machines and finishes to an exceptionally smooth surface. Cherry is among the most prized North American furniture and cabinetry hardwoods.

Yes. Cherry is one of the most dramatically photosensitive domestic hardwoods. Freshly milled cherry is a pale pinkish-tan, but with exposure to light and air it deepens to a rich, warm reddish-brown that is characteristic of antique cherry furniture. The darkening process is most rapid in the first year and continues more slowly thereafter. Clear finishes with UV inhibitors slow but do not stop this natural patination.

Cherry is susceptible to blotchy stain absorption due to irregular grain density. A pre-stain conditioner is strongly recommended before applying any coloured stain to cherry. Many woodworkers prefer to let cherry's natural colour develop through clear finishes rather than staining, which avoids the blotching issue entirely. Testing on scrap is essential before staining any cherry project.

Cherry is best suited for fine furniture, custom cabinetry, interior doors, flooring, and decorative millwork where its warm colour and smooth grain character are design assets. It is a traditional choice for bedroom and dining room furniture. Cherry is not appropriate for exterior applications, heavy wear surfaces, or high-traffic commercial flooring where harder species are more practical.

Windsor Plywood carries cherry hardwood lumber in select grades for furniture and cabinetry applications. Specific thicknesses, widths, and lengths vary by current inventory at each location. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current cherry availability and discuss your project requirements.