Are maple and cherry considered hardwoods?

Hardwood is wood from dicot angiosperm trees. Hardwood contrasts with softwood (which is from gymnosperm trees). A gymnosperm is a plant that has seeds unprotected by an ovary or fruit. Gymnosperms include the conifers, cycads, and ginkgo. Cherries, very obviously, are not gymnosperms. The seed of a cherry is protected by the cherry fruit. Maples are a little more confusing. However, it is also important to know that angiosperms have broad leaves which change color or drop during the winter, and maples do that. So, to answer your question, both maple and cherry are considered hardwood.