Cherry dimensional flat rate
Good for furniture parts, boxes, shelves, and smaller projects.
View optionCherry Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Premium domestic hardwood
Cherry is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific namePrunus serotina
Janka hardness950 lbf
Average dried weight35 lb/ft³
Best fitFine furniture
Overview
Why choose Cherry?
Cherry is a premium domestic hardwood. Its natural range is Eastern North America. Typical projects include fine furniture, cabinetry, millwork, turned objects, shelving, boxes, and warm accent pieces.
Scientific namePrunus serotina
DistributionEastern North America
ShrinkageRadial 3.7% · Tangential 7.1% · T/R 1.9
DurabilityHeartwood is considered very durable to decay, though Cherry is usually used indoors.
Cherry colour, grain, and figure
Light pinkish brown when fresh, aging to a warmer medium reddish brown with light exposure. Sapwood is pale yellowish and common.
Usually straight with a fine, even texture and moderate natural luster. Curly figure appears in some boards.
Working notes
One of the best domestic hardwoods for machining and hand-tool work. It turns, glues, and finishes well, but can blotch under stain.
Cherry dust has been associated with respiratory irritation for some people; use dust collection and PPE.
Cherry should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Cherry
Best projects
Fine furniture, cabinetry, millwork, turned objects, shelving, boxes, and warm accent pieces.
Use caution
Heavy stain without a blotch-control plan, exterior use, or projects where colour uniformity is expected immediately after milling.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Cherry from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Cherry live edge flat rate
A warm alternative for small live edge projects.
View optionDomestic cutting board packs
Cherry pairs well with maple and walnut in cutting board designs.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
Walnut is darker and more premium-looking; maple is lighter and harder. Cherry is the best Kingma option when the customer wants warmth, aging character, and easy workability.
Cherry FAQ
Does Cherry darken over time?
Yes. Cherry is known for darkening with light exposure, moving from pinkish brown toward a richer reddish brown.
Is Cherry beginner friendly?
Yes. It machines, turns, glues, and finishes well, though stain blotching should be managed.
Is Cherry good for cabinets?
Yes. Cherry is a classic cabinet and furniture hardwood because of its fine texture, warm colour, and strong workability.