This native hardwood is a classic choice for furniture and cabinet makers. Much of the finest Early American furniture is American cherry. A warm pinkish brown when first cut it mellows to a deep redish golden hue with time. American cherry is rarely stained as the natural color is so beautiful. Not as high on the Janka scale as Hickory or Hard Maple, American cherry is a good choice for surfaces used primary for serving rather than food prep and chopping. If you choose to go for this wood in a food prep area you may enjoy it for only a hundred years or so while the harder varieties will be there for your great great grandchildren. As a native North American tree this species is not endangered or vulnerable and will be available for making gorgeous wood countertops for a very long while.