Appearance and Grain

Unlike Hard Maple, where the sapwood is prized, with Cherry, the heartwood (the inner part of the tree) is the main attraction.

• Color: When freshly milled, the heartwood is a light pinkish-brown. However, its defining characteristic is how it ages: exposure to light and oxygen causes the wood to naturally darken over time into a deep, warm reddish-brown. The sapwood is a pale yellowish color and does not darken the way the heartwood does.
• Grain: Cherry has a fine, straight, and closed grain that feels exceptionally smooth to the touch.
• Character: It frequently features small, naturally occurring dark spots or streaks known as "pitch pockets" or "gum pockets," which add a rustic, natural character to the wood. Like Maple, it can occasionally feature curly figuring, though it is less common.