Typically, cherry heartwood has a pinkish-brown color with a green streak running through it. Cherry hardwood is a reasonably durable wood, moderately strong, easy to cut, carve and mould, and is used for many different applications due to its flexibility.

It was a favourite amongst cabinetmakers. In the final century, cherrywood furniture was extremely popular and it was utilized to make stair railings, pipe stoves, barrel hoops, ladder posts and staves for white spirit.