A LOT of difference in cherry. Older heartwood is going to be different than younger outer wood. (not including sapwood which will obviously be different) And how you are lasering the wood makes a difference too. Out of focus usually gives me darker look, but it can't be too far out. Usually dead focus is very little char. Which depending on what you are after, works well. You can always color fill if you have masked it before you laser. (or if burned deep enough, Fill and sand top layer back down.
Woodworking, Old Tools and Shooting
Ray Fine RF-1390 Laser Ray Fine 20watt Fiber Laser
SFX 50 Watt Fiber Laser
PM2000, Delta BS, Delta sander, Powermatic 50 jointer,
Powermatic 100-12 planer, Rockwell 15-126 radial drill press
Rockwell 46-450 lathe, and 2 Walker Turner RA1100 radial saws
Jet JWS18, bandsaw Carbide Create CNC, RIA 22TCM 1911s and others