Cherry is a beautiful wood that develops a rich deep red patina with age. It has low stiffness, medium strength. The heart wood is darker than the sapwood. The wood contains small gum pockets creating a natural marking of the wood. The wood is very difficult to stain as areas of the wood will absorb more than others yielding a splotchy appearance. The use of a wash coat is recommended minimizing this effect. Wood can be steamed to make the color more uniform.