Hello T. Gray,

Yes, historically and today cherry is used fairly commonly if of sound longs. I have seen and/or restored many frames that are almost exclusively cherry, and seen several modern builds that are as well. It is a good species for timber framing in general but can (and often does) have issues with "checking and splitting." This is a natural reaction within the species of wood and only of a concern aesthetically and (in rare occasions) structurally, it the check bifurcates the entire length of a timber.

Note, that the method of "pre-checking" the timbers with a "kerf" sawn into the center of the timber called Se-wari - “spine divide” or “back split” method of relieving stress in timber by kerfing top of member…is very useful and applicable for this species. We like cherry in "live edge" with only the sides of the timber flattened and using "Sewari" to arrest all checking. These timbers present as not only stronger in application, yet further add a natural beauty to a frame...

Good Luck with your project!