Steamed cherry is only a one time shot. It's stress-relieved a couple of
times in the kiln cycle anyway, normally by injecting steam. It does slow
the aging versus air-dried wood, but I haven't seen much difference between
it and other KD cherry. Remember, though, that sapwood does machine
differently from heartwood, even if it's not too obvious.

"Dave Balderstone" wrote in message
tone.ca...
In article , Rumpty
wrote:

I buy from local saw mill who air dries and then wood fires to finish
and
doesn't steam. I've use his wood and I've purchased steamed cherry from
major mills here in Pa and they seem to finish about the same, although
the
steamed is a bit lighter. I often combine steamed and not steamed in
the
same piece and I can't tell the difference.

Thanks, Rumpty. That gives me some confidence. I'll give it a closer
look next time I'm there.