Cedar vs. Cherry for Table - What is The Difference?

Cedar offers natural resistance to moisture and insects, making it ideal for outdoor tables, while cherry wood provides a smooth, rich finish with excellent durability suited for indoor furniture. Cherry's warm tones deepen over time, enhancing table elegance, whereas cedar's lighter weight and aromatic properties support easy handling and natural freshness.

Table of Comparison

Introduction to Cedar and Cherry Wood

Cedar wood, known for its natural resistance to decay and insect damage, features a soft texture and aromatic scent ideal for outdoor and rustic furniture. Cherry wood offers a fine, smooth grain with rich reddish-brown hues that deepen over time, making it a preferred choice for elegant indoor tables. Both woods provide distinct durability and aesthetic qualities, with cedar excelling in weather resistance and cherry prized for its warm, luxurious appearance.

Appearance and Grain Patterns

Cedar exhibits a rich reddish hue with prominent knots and a straight, fine grain pattern that adds a natural rustic charm to tables. Cherry wood features a warm, reddish-brown color that deepens with age, displaying a smooth, fine grain with subtle waves and occasional small knots for a more refined and elegant appearance. Both woods offer distinct visual appeal: cedar provides bold and dramatic grain contrasts, while cherry delivers uniformity and sophistication in table design.

Durability and Strength Comparison

Cedar offers moderate durability with natural resistance to decay and insect damage, making it suitable for indoor tables but less ideal for heavy use or outdoor environments. Cherry wood provides superior strength and hardness, ensuring excellent durability and resistance to dents and scratches, which makes it a preferred choice for high-quality, long-lasting tables. While cedar is lighter and softer, cherry's dense grain structure enhances its ability to withstand everyday wear and tear.

Workability and Ease of Crafting

Cedar offers excellent workability due to its soft texture and low density, allowing for easy cutting, shaping, and sanding, making it ideal for intricate table designs. Cherry wood, while harder and denser than cedar, provides smooth finishes and responds well to hand and machine tools, requiring sharp blades for clean cuts. Both woods are favored in furniture making, but cedar's lightweight nature offers superior ease of crafting for detailed work compared to cherry's durability and fine grain.

Cost and Availability

Cedar tables generally cost more than cherry due to cedar's natural resistance to rot and insects, which adds durability value. Cherry wood offers wider availability in the market, making it more budget-friendly and easier to source for furniture projects. Both woods vary regionally, but cherry typically provides a cost-effective option without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

Resistance to Wear and Damage

Cherry wood offers moderate resistance to wear and damage, developing a rich patina over time that enhances its appearance but may show scratches more easily. Cedar exhibits good resistance to moisture and decay, making it less prone to warping and insect damage, though it is softer and more susceptible to dents and surface scratches. For tables, cherry provides durable everyday use with aging beauty, while cedar is ideal for environments needing moisture resilience but requires careful handling to avoid surface wear.

Maintenance and Care Requirements

Cedar tables require regular sealing to protect against moisture and UV damage, as the wood is naturally softer and more susceptible to dents and scratches. Cherry tables demand occasional polishing to maintain their rich, reddish-brown color and resist surface wear, with a more stable wood grain that reduces the frequency of repairs. Both woods benefit from avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and using gentle cleaning products to extend their lifespan and appearance.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Cedar wood is known for its natural resistance to decay and insects, reducing the need for chemical treatments and promoting sustainability in furniture production. Cherry wood, while durable and long-lasting, often comes from slower-growing trees, which can impact forest regeneration rates compared to faster-growing cedar species. Choosing cedar for tables typically supports environmentally conscious forestry practices due to its rapid growth and renewability.

Best Uses for Cedar Versus Cherry Tables

Cedar tables excel in outdoor and rustic environments due to their natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insects, making them ideal for patios and garden furniture. Cherry tables, valued for their fine grain and rich, warm tones, are best suited for indoor use in formal dining rooms and elegant living spaces where durability and a refined appearance are essential. Choosing cedar supports longevity in exposed settings, while cherry enhances aesthetic appeal and strength in controlled indoor environments.

Making the Right Choice for Your Table

Choosing between cedar and cherry for your table depends on durability and aesthetic preference, as cherry offers a rich, warm tone that deepens over time, while cedar provides a lighter, aromatic wood known for natural resistance to decay. Cherry's hardwood density makes it highly durable and ideal for everyday use, whereas cedar's softness and natural oils deter insects and moisture, suiting outdoor or rustic settings. Evaluate the environmental conditions and desired finish to ensure the wood's properties align with your table's function and longevity needs.