6-Cherry Wood

2022-11-29

Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Wood

What Color is Cherry Wood?

You may be surprised to learn that natural cherry wood changes colors over time and that the color can vary greatly between trees and even among different boards from the same tree. While many types of wood can darken over time, this process can be very distinct when dealing with cherry wood. It starts out a light golden/pink tone and darkens to a rich, reddish-brown color as it is exposed to light.
This darkening or “ripening” process is most apparent within the first six months of light exposure and it may continue for several years before reaching that beautiful, reddish brown hue that cherry wood is known for. You can accelerate the aging process by exposing the wood to as much natural light as possible.

6-Cherry Wood

Why Does Cherry Wood Change Colors Over Time?

Although there's some debate about what exactly causes wood to change colors over time, most agree that it's one or a combination of the following factors: oxidation (exposure to air) and UV light. Both processes cause chemical changes in the molecules of the wood that affects how light reflects off the surface.

What are the Common Uses of Cherry Wood?

Cherry is perhaps the most prized furniture hardwood in America. Most of the highest grade cherry is used for this purpose. However, mid- and lower-tier cherry wood is often found in kitchen cabinets and wood flooring. It's also common in kitchen accessories like bowls, wood spoons, and cutting boards.

What Does the Grain Pattern of Cherry Wood Look Like?

Cherry wood has a smooth, closed grain pattern, much like that of maple wood. As with any natural product, we expect and embrace unique characteristics in the wood grain. A single cherry wood board can have several contrasting grain patterns depending on the growth of the tree.

Heartwood vs. Sapwood Grain

It is not uncommon to find different grain contrasts in the same piece of solid cherry wood furniture. The lighter grain was closer to the tree's bark (sapwood) and the darker grain was closer to the tree's center (heartwood).
When choosing boards for your furniture, our craftsmen typically focus on the darker heartwood, although occasionally there will be some sapwood. Our craftsmen will take the time to select and join boards that have the best available color and grain match.

Is Cherry a Hardwood or a Softwood?

Because cherry wood is milled from the deciduous prunus serotina, it is indeed considered a hardwood. All of the woods our craftspeople work with at Vermont Woods Studios are classified as hardwoods.
In contrast, wood milled from coniferous trees are considered softwood. Contrary to popular belief, the classification of a wood as a hardwood or softwood has nothing to do with the woods' density or resistance to scratches and dents.