So I’ve been a woodworker, full time for over 35 years. I’ve done many things from decks, kitchen cabinets and retail fixtures, counter tops, furniture of many varieties…just many different things. Here is an issue that comes up from time to time, that everyone doing serious finished woodworking will encounter:

Cherry: It Changes Color

All woods behave in certain ways, specific to the species, walnut fades, maple and oak yellow, pine twists etc… Cherry has one characteristic that confuses many customers with limited knowledge of hardwoods and their traits :

Cherry Darkens over time.

Here’s a great example:

I have a  customer who ordered 2 identical cherry boxes one year apart. . Upon opening the second package, he found the cases didn’t match in color. He asked if he could return the case to me and I could send him a new one made from cherry. Well, whaddyado?

I guess there are a few options, but I wont be able to make these two boxes match without a whole lot of work…so, the easiest solution (if you want them to match up colorwize)  is really to order your cherry cases at the same time…