Air Drying Lumber at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

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Movement in Slabs Cut from Crotch Wood

Advice on sawing and drying crotch wood, with a view to managing warping and splitting. January 28, 2014

Cutting Stickers

Basic info on making stickers for your drying pile. November 28, 2014

Decay Concerns when Storing and Milling Sinker Cypress

Questions and answers about how long you can wait to mill and dry antique Cypress logs after pulling them up from underwater. April 24, 2014

Drying Spalted Alder

To halt the growth of spalting fungus, dry quickly and/or heat above 133°F. December 23, 2014

Sealing Logs and Cut Boards

Basic advice on sealing log or board ends to prevent checking. November 28, 2014

Whether to Thaw Frozen Wood Before Kiln-Drying

Here's a long and intense theoretical argument about whether frozen wood can be safely dried without thawing it first. June 13, 2014

Drying lumber - selecting the best method

Is a solar kiln the best choice for this startup sawmill? December 17, 2003

End Joint Splitting in Table Glue-Ups

Here's a long troubleshooting discussion about splits that form at the end joints between boards in a round table top. August 29, 2014

Managing Mold while Drying Cookies with Pentacryl

In a specialized air-drying situation, a woodworker puzzles over how to deal with surface fungus growth. April 20, 2011

Humidity, Temperature, Wood Moisture Content, and Wood Movement

Basic technical information and an extended discussion of the way wood expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature and humidity. November 13, 2009

Wood and Water

An excerpt from Gene Wengert's book, "Drying Oak Lumber." May 31, 2001

Processing trees to lumber -- for the hobbyist

A primer on sawing and drying lumber for projects at home. March 13, 2001

Sawing & drying framing timbers

Tips for producing timbers for timber-frame construction. September 19, 2001

Wood Drying Conditions and Musical Instrument Sound Quality

Instrument makers, musicians, and sawing and drying pros discuss whether kiln-dried or air-dried wood affect the way a musical instrument sounds. February 14, 2010

Processing Trees to Lumber -- for the Hobbyist and Small Business

Two experts share their secrets of success for small-scale milling operations. January 19, 2002

Cutting and drying beveled siding

Producing beveled siding from green lumber, with special attention to the drying process. June 24, 2001

Alternative lumber drying techniques

Are freeze drying and RFV practical methods for drying lumber? April 25, 2001

Sawing and Drying: Does the Season of the Year Matter?

Here's a long thread that separates the science from the rumor around the question: "What's the best time of year to cut trees and dry lumber?" May 15, 2012

Troubleshooting Mold on Oak in the Drying Kiln

A question about a mold problem leads to a discussion about process control and kiln conditions. June 13, 2014

Why is Walnut Purple Sometimes?

The purple color of some Walnut boards is natural. Here's more background with comments and observations from woodworkers. February 16, 2014

Measuring/Monitoring Moisture Levels

The hows and whys of monitoring moisture content in lumber. 1998.

Humidity Control, Warping, and Case-Hardening

Maintaining the right drying conditions is a tricky problem, and improper control can lead to defects in the lumber. January 2, 2012

Vacuum kiln drying

How do vacuum kilns work and how effective are they? (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) January 21, 2003

"Seasoned" Wood: What Does That Mean?

A brief discussion of wood drying vernacular, lightly salted with science and pan-blackened. April 24, 2014

Air-Drying and Kiln-Drying 8/4 Oak

Experts and kiln owners discuss the proper drying schedule and the best equipment for drying thick Red Oak boards. August 13, 2014

Warp in Drying

Causes and cures for warpage when drying lumber. May 4, 2001

Cracks in log home logs -- and other warnings

Cracks in logs used in log home construction are normal, but not necessarily desirable. August 10, 2000

Self Air-Drying Versus Kiln-Drying

Carefully air-drying wood yourself may be preferable to trusting the load to a less-than-perfect kiln-drying operation. January 18, 2011

Kiln drying for higher profit

Expanding a molding business to include kiln drying poplar. November 18, 2002

Kiln Drying Large Timbers

An extended discussion of the technical issues involved in drying big beams for various uses. July 28, 2006

Air-Dried Oak for Furniture

In theory, kiln-drying is better; but people have successfully made furniture from air-dried hardwood. April 20, 2011

Drying Slabs in Tropical Conditions

Advice on drying uncommon lumber species in the jungles of Ecuador. August 15, 2011

How to Limit Cracking when Drying Wood Discs

A discussion of principles and techniques for drying cross-cut log slices with limited cracking. July 16, 2009

Moving Beyond Drying

A small drying operation wants to invest in planing, jointing, and ripping. March 18, 2005

Blue Stain in Red Oak

A discussion of staining, drying odor, and related problems in a large oak tree blown down by wind. December 12, 2008

Controlling Powderpost Beetles in Stored Lumber

Heat plus good hygeine are the standard recommendations, but this discussion also considers some alternative notions. November 14, 2009

Blue-Stained Pine Pros and Cons

Controversy simmers over whether blue stain is is a special value, a visual defect, or a mold liability risk. September 17, 2008

Home DH for drying lumber

Home dehumidifiers versus bought kilns for drying wood. September 2, 2002

Drying rough-sawn timbers

A large outdoor project raises questions about drying large, rough-sawn timbers for long-term use. June 20, 2000

Honeycombing and Fresh Checking in a Newly Turned Newel Post

A woodworker's report of a honeycombing and checking problem leads to a good discussion of wood drying defects and how they manifest themselves. March 3, 2009

Borate-Treating Freshly Sawn Wood

Ideas, thoughts, and tips for using borax and borate solutions to make green lumber bug-resistant. June 12, 2006

Pre-Surfacing Lumber Before Drying

Planed green lumber dries with significantly less checking. March 3, 2006

Eradicating an Insect Infestation

A load of insect-infested reclaimed wood may have contaminated a whole operation. What to do? April 20, 2011

Making Furniture from Air-Dried Oak?

A beginner asks about drying wood for use in rustic furniture. April 20, 2011

Aging yellow cedar

Attaining the look of naturally aged yellow cedar. September 2, 2002

Acid Condensation Issues with Drying Kilns

This discussion of drying Oak for iron-and-wood furniture purposes takes an interesting detour into a discussion of acidic conditions in wood and kilns. October 15, 2010

Drying Ash Flooring

Kiln-drying is essential to kill bugs and achieve the proper low moisture content for stability in service. May 11, 2005

Twisted timbers

Determining the cause of twisting in Douglas fir construction timbers. August 10, 2000

Ripping and Re-Gluing to Limit Cupping

The Wood Doc weighs in on the old-timer technique of ripping and re-gluing boards in order to lessen moisture-related cupping. February 19, 2008

Moisture content oven tests

Microwave ovens versus drying ovens for MC testing. October 30, 2002

Drying cedar slabs -- and stepping up sawmill production

Effective drying and basic sawing with a scragg mill. September 2, 2002

Cleaning and Deodorizing Urine-Contaminated Wood

Advice on how to handle old lumber wood salvaged from storage, which appears to have been "soiled" by raccoons. 16, 2014

Temperature, Humidity, and Drying

Some generic head-scratching over relative humidity and the heat required to dry wood under various conditions. April 10, 2007

Practical Ways to Reduce Drying Costs

Five tactics to consider for cutting the cost of drying a load of wood. June 13, 2014

Air-Drying Big Timbers Over Long Time

If you plan to air-dry posts and beams for a period of years, here's advice on stickering, sawing over-size, end-sealing, et cetera. October 26, 2011

Checking Concerns with Massive Wood Posts

A custom home project calls for 15-inch-wide solid timber posts. Here's a discussion of the inevitable checking that will occur, and how to minimize it. November 13, 2005

Summer and Winter Air Drying of Lumber

How fast can lumber dry in winter, as compared to summer? January 28, 2014

Cedar Log Value

A wandering thread, but you can learn something here about Cedar (or whatever y'all call that tree). February 3, 2011

Stacking and Stickering Advice for Air-Drying Maple

A thorough discussion of the basics of stacking sawn lumber for air-drying. February 14, 2010

Drying with Moderate Heat

Here's info on how various types of wood will respond to conditions in a home-built drying room that doesn't get much warmer than 120°F. There's a useful lecture here on how case-hardening occurs. May 16, 2008

Reconditioning of Collapsed/Washboard Timber

Collapse of sawn lumber during drying is a rare event. Steaming may help prevent the problem, and to some extent cure it. January 12, 2015

Causes and cures for sticker stain

The Wood Doctor weighs in with comprehensive information about the causes and prevention of sticker stain. 1998.

Using a Corn Drier as a Kiln

Lumber drying is a controlled process, that an agricultural corn dryer probably cannot accomplish correctly. February 15, 2009

Air-Drying Versus Kiln-Drying for High-Value Wood

Done right, kiln-drying gives you better control over quality. June 9, 2007

Drying burly slabs

Keeping oak slabs from cracking. January 16, 2002

Straightening Thin Dowels

A woodworker struggles with a crooked dowel problem in a mass production setting. October 1, 2010

Spalting Tips and Tricks

A question about how to get rid of a bad batch of spalted Maple leads to a nice discussion of different ways to spalt wood, with photos. April 15, 2012

Ambient Humidity and Wood Moisture Content

A problem of wood warping in a dry basement storage area leads to a discussion of temperature, relative humidity, and wood moisture. July 10, 2007

Conditioning: Relieving those stresses

Try these solutions to a stress-free wood inventory. November 29, 2002

Vacuum Kilns - Pros and Cons

Testimony from operators who have used vacuum kilns. May 11, 2005

Moisture and Wood Movement In Kiln-Dried Versus Air-Dried Lumber

In principle, wood's response to moisture changes is the same, no matter how the wood was dried. In practice, there may be a slight difference. July 23, 2014

Cupping, Bowing KD VG WR Cedar?

More fun with wood moisture: Figuring out why some supposedly kiln-dried cedar boards cupped and bowed after being resawn and planed. January 26, 2008

Green barn siding

Making board and batten siding from freshly sawn lumber. June 19, 2003

Drying Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a fussy wood to air-dry or kiln-dry. Here are some clues about its character. October 14, 2006

Wet and Dry Streaks in Air-Dried Slab Walnut

Sawmillers troubleshoot moisture and color variations in big slabs of partially-dried Walnut. December 6, 2009

Automatic vents for solar kiln

Can vents be left open at night or must they be controlled? (Sawing and Drying Forum) April 29, 2003

Is it Worth Kiln-Drying Firewood?

Considering the cost of kiln construction and energy inputs versus the value of extra-dry firewood, it's hard to see how the dollars make sense. January 27, 2008

Eastern Red Cedar — How Dry?

Eastern Red Cedar is easy to air-dry. But if too dry, it's hard to work with. May 27, 2014

Re-Drying Kiln Dried Lumber

An architectural woodwork mill gets advice on acclimating stock before machining it. December 9, 2010

Slabbing and Drying Big Logs

Preventing cracks in Monterey cypress. April 18, 2004

Air-drying oak

Can a suitable MC for cabinet construction be reached? February 6, 2002

Bowing in Pine Staves After Planing

Here's a good explanation of why lumber may move after being planed — and why that is not easy to correct. January 20, 2010

Regaining MC in overdry wood

Is machinability lost when lumber has been overdried, then had moisture put back in? May 17, 2003

Choosing a Moisture Meter

A well-informed discussion comparing the cost and characteristics of various pin and pinless moisture meters. October 11, 2012

Drying wood in a tent

Recommendations on how to use the sun's rays and a plastic tent to dry lumber. November 7, 2001

Ash, Pine, Bugs, and Borates

More info on the insects that may infest hardwoods and softwoods, and on the use of borate-based controls. December 6, 2009

Straightening Cupped Slabs of Pine

Detailed information and advice on removing cup from wide boards. April 30, 2009

Drying Oak Lumber: Step 4A, Air Drying

Flat, solid support, maintaining an optimal air flow, and protecting the pile from re-wetting by rain are the keys to quality results when air-drying sawn lumber. August 27, 2012

Sawing Walnut: Sapwood and Heartwood

Here's a discussion about the proportions of heartwood and sapwood in a Walnut log, drying methods, and the value of both for furniture, bowls, et cetera. May 15, 2012

Solar Kiln Designs Compared

Thoughts on roof angle, dimensions, and other considerations for solar drying kiln construction. January 8, 2010

Preventing Insect Infestation in Lumber Production

Pesticides have limited usefulness and significant hazards. Good yard hygeine and application of heat are the more practical choices. February 14, 2006

Storing Wood in a Subtropical Climate

Thoughts on how to keep air-dried lumber sawn on site from decaying while stored for a season or two — in Nicaragua June 22, 2012

Wide-Board Table Top with no Warping

Can it be done? Maybe. February 26, 2005

Drying Oak Lumber: Step 7, Storage

The Wood Doctor discusses how to protect dried lumber from damage during storage. August 27, 2012

Pitch Build-Up When Planing Air-Dried Pine

There's no way to stop Pine pitch from gumming up machinery, short of kiln-drying the lumber. (This thread has some interesting asides about using your own sawn wood for construction.) April 27, 2011

Troubleshooting Checking in African Mahogany

Woodworkers puzzle over unusual cracking in some African Mahogany rough-sawn stock. February 6, 2010

Strap-Clamping Stacked Lumber for Air-Drying

A discussion of a proposal to keep stacked sycamore strapped tight with loading straps during air-drying. June 28, 2006

Moisture Meter Accuracy

Moisture meters aren't perfectly accurate, and wood moisture content can also vary within a piece. October 25, 2006

Sawing and Drying Sweet Gum

Sweet Gum is a troublesome wood to work with because of its tendency to twist and move, but the effort can be worth it for some uses. February 14, 2010

Drying and Sawing Tips for Gun Stocks

Advice on how to dry and saw walnut for use as gun stock blanks. August 21, 2006

Case Hardening Explained

A semi-technical discussion about how the wood drying process can create stresses between interior and surface wood layers — and about how to reduce or prevent that situation. January 19, 2012

Pros and Cons of Sawing Your Own

A solo cabinetmaker wonders if he should mill his own lumber on the side. March 14, 2005

Sawing and Drying Tips for Pecan

Orchard-grown pecan wood warps badly when drying. Here is advice on how to cut and dry pecan in order to minimize warping and improve quality. July 28, 2006

Hairline Cracks in Kiln-Drying Cherry

Checking in Cherry appears as a fine crack, and is the result of too-fast air-drying, not kiln-drying. April 15, 2012

Finish Over Air-Dried Pine

Soft resin and volatile natural solvents in softwoods will interfere with finishes unless the wood is kiln-dried at a high enough temperature to "set the pitch."August 17, 2009

Borates for Protecting Oak Beams

Borate treatments can provide good protection against insects for softwood that is kept dry, but has limited usefulness on hardwood, especially if exposed to rain. January 14, 2008

Stabilizing Wood with Polyethylene Glycol

Advice and explanations about using PEG to prevent shrinkage and cracking in heavy wood disks being dried for a specialty application. July 15, 2014

Properly Drying Oak for Use in a Porch Swing

Thoughts on air drying, kiln drying, and conditioning for oak intended to be used in outdoor versus indoor conditions. January 11, 2007

Air-Drying Silver Maple

Basic advice on stacking, stickering, and covering Maple for air drying in winter. October 17, 2012

Double-Checking Moisture Content

You can check your moisture meter by drying wood samples and weighing them, but the method has its own uncertainties and imprecisions. August 29, 2006

Whether to Use Reclaimed Pickle-Vat Lumber for Stickers

An interesting discussion on the properties of old-growth lumber that has been used in a vat for brining pickles. June 13, 2014

Drying Walnut Stumps

Slow air-drying of Walnut stumps and roots can yield some remarkable pieces. April 18, 2015

Seasonal Moisture Content of Living Trees

Moisture content of living tree wood is constant throughout the year. May 31, 2010

Stickers and sticker shadow

A discussion on synthetic and traditional stickers, and an explanation of reverse sticker shadow. May 30, 2001

Drying Lodgepole Pine in Colorado

Detailed advice on air-drying and kiln-drying lodgepole pine (some logged green and some killed by beetles). April 21, 2008

Heat Up Rate in Lumber Drying

Most wood-drying situations don't require careful control of the rate at which the load heats up. June 13, 2014

How to Prevent Drying Stress

A quick explanation from the Wood Doctor of what causes drying stress, and how to prevent or reduce it. August 15, 2011

The Dimensional Effects of Wood Moisture

Understanding how moisture interacts with wood can help you avoid problems from moisture-related wood movement. September 13, 2012

Mesquite Lore

Texas woodworkers share their knowledge of Mesquite wood. August 21, 2006

Slowing Down Wood Drying

Once wood starts to dry, it's hard to slow the process down without encountering staining or rot problems. December 6, 2009

Air-Drying Time and the Need for Conditioning

If you air-dry lumber for long enough, it won't experience drying stress in the kiln; but you do risk lumber degrade. July 30, 2007

Air Drying Cherry Slabs

Basic advice for a beginner on drying slabs. January 17, 2011

Sawing and Drying Sycamore

Sycamore is attractive and useful, but moves drastically while drying. Here's good advice on how to minimize movement and make the most of each board. June 27, 2006

Fresh-Cut Pine for Rafters

In theory, green softwood should perform acceptably for barn rafters. In practice, on the other hand ... well, life is full of surprises. November 28, 2006

Black Locust as a Utility Pole

Thoughts on whether to dry a Black Locust pole before burying the end, and related issues. March 28, 2010

Drying rates for hardwood lumber -- How fast can you dry?

Facts and stats for time-sensitive drying that will produce quality lumber. November 29, 2002

Checking and Splitting of a Large Poplar Plank

As predicted, this big piece of wood moved and split. But the owner ended up happy anyway. January 17, 2011

Dead Standing Douglas Fir: Is It Dry Already?

A discussion about the useability of wood from dead standing tree logs without further drying, and a little bit of kiln-related history. April 27, 2007

Buying Lumber at Auction

Tips on assessing the quality of air-dried hardwood up for sale at a small auction. October 3, 2009

Promoting blue stain

How to promote this visual effect in a stack of red pine. March 21, 2002

Humidity, Moisture Content, and Lumber Storage

Lumber moisture content equilibrates to ambient relative humidity. Here are details. December 9, 2010

Controlling Mildew in Air-Drying Lumber

Surface mildew in a stack of boards being air-dried should respond to some dehumidification in the space. April 15, 2012

Drying a Walnut Slab

This thread about how to slowly air-dry a Walnut slab has some beautiful photos of a Walnut slab table. August 16, 2012

Air-Drying Persimmon

Persimmon has value, but it moves a lot as it dries. April 30, 2006

Air-Drying and Kiln-Drying Thick Maple

Drying 12/4 hard Maple, a kiln operator walks a fine line between checking and staining. Here's more. July 29, 2011

Intentional Spalting

Can you treat logs with fungus and humidity to create spalting on purpose? Some say "yes," but it's more art than science. June 23, 2005

Selecting a Good Moisture Meter

More money buys a better instrument, but your choice depends on your needs. December 14, 2009

Furniture from Air-Dried Red Oak

If "air drying" is understood to include drying to equilibrium in a conditioned indoor space, then the result can be useable wood. May 27, 2008

Sweetgum Character

If you saw much Sweetgum, you'll find that the lumber has a strong personality. November 27, 2007

Seasons and Logging

The time of year when a tree is cut may affect drying time, and also can have other effects. April 18, 2009

Shrinkage of Pressure-Treated Lumber

It's delivered sopping wet, with moisture forced in under pressure. So how much does it shrink? Experts clarify the situation. July 12, 2005

Air Drying, Moisture Content, and Useability

How long will air-drying take to get wood to a stable moisture equilibrium? And would kiln-drying be better? September 6, 2010

Air-Drying and Kiln-Drying Methods for Wide Plank Flooring

A discussion of the most cost-effective and quality-conscious way to dry wide planks for use as flooring. September 6, 2010

Checking in Oak

A discussion of kiln conditions and other factors that can cause Oak to check while drying. October 29, 2008

Sawdust on stacked wood

Should sawdust be cleaned off before stacking and drying? October 15, 2001

Drying Thick Slabs

Thoughts on managing cracking in thick slabs during drying. December 6, 2009

Holly Staining: Fungus or Pigment?

Holly stains if it's not dried quickly and properly. But what's the real cause? A scientist weighs in on samples collected by a sawyer. July 12, 2005

Is storing cants feasible?

Can large cants be stored until an order for custom-cut lumber is received? February 19, 2002

Moisture Testing Variability

A discussion of factors that could account for a discrepancy between a supplier's wood moisture content readings and the customer's. October 12, 2008

Powderpost beetles in hardwood beams

Is there any way to get rid of powderpost beetles riddling oak beams with holes? November 7, 2001

Elevated Moisture Readings after Planing

Wood that is not uniformly dry will read higher after planing; and the results vary between pin meters and pinless models. June 4, 2012

Drying Small Amounts of Wood in the Attic

Thoughts about the airflow and venting required to dry small amounts of wood in an attic. April 20, 2011

Treating Air-Dried Wood with Pesticides

Surface-applied pesticides may be dangerous or even illegal, and will probably do no good. Instead, heat-treat wood to kill bugs. February 14, 2006

Firewood kiln

Methods and facilities used to dry firewood. November 26, 2001

Lumber Conditioning Advice

Info on mixed loads, re-wetting dried lumber, and related topics. September 25, 2014

Drying Oak Lumber: Step 1, Assessing the Raw Material

The first step in drying Oak is to know the characteristics of the lumber you're planning to dry. July 29, 2012

Measuring Moisture: Cross-Grain or Along the Grain?

Different moisture meters are calibrated for different testing orientations. July 29, 2014

How to Stack and Dry Large Beams

Advice on stacking, stickering, and banding large-dimension Oak timbers for air drying. January 18, 2012

Reconciling Contradictory Moisture Readings

A pin-type moisture meter and a pinless moisture meter disagree during a quality-control check. What's going on? June 16, 2014

Fanless Solar Kiln?

Natural convection is not a practical way to power air flow through a drying kiln. August 1, 2011

Managing Airflow in the Pre-Dryer

Advice on using temporary baffles to keep air flowing through the remaining stacks as some wood is removed. June 13, 2014

Dealing with Blade-Diving Waves

More blade tension, better blade lubrication, and a sharpening modification may help keep bandsaw blades from wandering when cutting larger logs. December 1, 2005

Installation Tips for Board and Batten Siding

Nail location is important. November 28, 2006

Lowering Wood Moisture Content

A woodworker has some lumber at 12% moisture content that he wants to dry down to 9%. Here are some quick and cheap ways to accomplish that. October 19, 2013

Should Hardwood be Air-Dried Before Kiln-Drying?

A discussion on the best drying schedule for maple, white ash, black ash, beech, cherry, and birch. December 1, 2005

Comparing moisture meters

An assessment of the performance of pin and pinless moisture meters made by major manufacturers. July 11, 2000

Cottonwood for Building

Cottonwood has drawbacks, but it can be used. Here's more information. August 18, 2009

Drying Split Logs

How you dry split smallwood could depend on your intended use for it — in furniture, for archery bows, or whatever. October 3, 2009

Drying Oregon Madrone

Pacific Madrone is prone to drying movement, but that can make it interesting to woodworkers. May 13, 2009

Sawing and Drying Apple Stump Wood

Apple's hard to deal with — expect a lot of time and effort to yield only modest results. May 31, 2010

Time to Air-Dry Thick Lumber

Many variables affect drying time. Here's a discussion about the typical drying-time window. November 16, 2011

"Shop-Dried" Versus "Air-Dried" Lumber

A discussion of the quality and value of hardwoods that have been stacked and dried in a dry indoor area, but not in a kiln. March 26, 2013

End Checking and Sticker Placement

Placing stickers very close to the ends of the lumber stack can help limit end checking. This thread also offers additional tips on preventing checking. November 16, 2010

Economics of End-Coating to Prevent Checking

If you look at the numbers, sealing log or board ends is worth the cost. June 13, 2014

How did our forebears dry lumber?

How lumber was dried for furniture construction prior to the introduction of kiln drying. November 21, 2000

Bug Holes in Air-Dried Maple

Advice on a lumber insect infestation. March 4, 2009

Stickering Wood in the Basement

Getting wood to dry in a cellar is problematic. July 18, 2008

Eastern Red Cedar for Outdoor Use

Thoughts on drying Eastern Red Cedar, and on the wood's value for decks or outdoor furniture. December 6, 2009

Drying a Large Oak Timber for a Mantelpiece

Drying large timbers takes time however you do it. Here are some thoughts about practical approaches. November 16, 2011

Air-Drying Wood in a Grain Bin

A discussion of air-drying sheds light on issues relating to target moisture content. July 28, 2008

Drying wood for musical instruments

A primer on various lumber drying techniques as they relate to musical instrument construction. 1998.

Yellow Streaks in Claro Walnut After Kiln-Drying

Bacterial infection inhibits drying in walnut, leading to visible discoloration that is revealed when the wood is planed. December 11, 2007

Checking Moisture and Achieving MC Targets

Higher moisture near the core has a lumber dryer doubting his moisture meter, but drying conditions are the more likely concern. September 6, 2010

Drying sinker wood

How does one begin drying wood that's been submerged in water for many years? June 27, 2000

Stain in Maple -- Prevention and Cure

An explanation of why maple wood stains, ways to slow the process down, and how to bleach stains out. July 28, 2006

Selecting a Moisture Meter

A discussion of desirable attributes for a moisture meter used for kiln-drying quality control. June 30, 2007

Drying Half Logs for Benches

Unfortunately, large logs crack as they dry. It's unavoidable. March 16, 2015

Ideas for weighting stickered lumber

Options for applying weight to stickered, drying lumber are offered. August 10, 2000

Air Flow and Mold Problems

Troubleshooting an occurrence of mold in wood stacked for air-drying. March 26, 2013

Stacking and Stickering Random Length Boards

Advice on stacking and (keeping track of) boards sawn from logs of different lengths at various times. November 16, 2011

Drying Oak Lumber: Step 6C, Equalizing and Conditioning

Equalizing and conditioning result in consistent lumber with minimal drying stresses. But this step adds time and expense. August 27, 2012

Minimizing Drying Cracks in Large Timbers

Advice on how to limit cracking and checking in large-dimension timbers. November 14, 2009

Sassafras Siding

A look at some Sassafras used for house siding, with some tips on drying, handling, et cetera.May 15, 2011

Lumber drying for musical instruments

Does the speed of the drying process affect a wood's musical quality?June 21, 2000

Drying Apple Wood

Advice on how to saw and dry a big old Apple tree trunk. May 10, 2007

Determining MC by weight

Tools and techniques for measuring moisture content by weighing lumber cuttings. January 4, 2001

Shop-Drying Eucalyptus

Thoughts on how to dry and condition Eucalyptus for use in a table top. December 31, 2012

Drying Walnut Crotch Slabs

A light coat of sealant? Or a slow, careful spell in the kiln? February 26, 2005

Drying Oak Lumber: Step 3B, Sample Boards

How to select sample boards for accurate measurement of moisture content and drying rate. August 16, 2012

Diagnosing a Beetle Infestation

The Wood Doctor discusses the risk indicated by insect exit holes appearing in wood recently brought indoors. April 30, 2009

Beetle Troubles

Tips on dealing with lyctid (powderpost) beetles and the less troublesome anobiid beetle. April 27, 2007

Drying Fast-Growth Hybrid Poplar

Advice on how to address cupping of hybrid poplar during air-drying and kiln-drying. January 29, 2009

Loss in air-dried lumber

The Wood Doctor provides typicial loss factors for several speices of lumber, when air-dried. 1998.

Removing Turning Blank Pith

Techniques to prevent cracking from the pith. January 6, 2005

Chemical Sprays for Controlling Mold on Green Lumber

By and large, chemical treatments are ineffective for preventing mold or bluestain. Quick drying is your best bet. March 31, 2008

Tips for creating spalted maple

Creating spalted lumber by creating the correct conditions. January 4, 2001

Storing Maple in Partially Dried Condition

A woodworker gets advice on the feasibility of maintaining wood at 25% moisture content for use in drying operations. January 8, 2010

Drying Capitol Christmas Tree Slabs

Despite several interesting suggestions, Woodweb fails to provide a secret formula for drying cross-sections of a pine tree trunk with no radial checking. Still a fun thread, though. August 16, 2012

Long-Term Storage of Air-Dried Lumber

Air-dried lumber left in drying stacks for long periods without kiln-drying is at high risk for insect damage and spoilage. June 18, 2010

Drying Mesquite with Denatured Alcohol

Denatured alcohol (DNA) drying techniques work best on porous wood, not so well on a low-porosity species like Mesquite. October 1, 2010

Air Drying Thin Sawn Wood

Saw thin first, then air dry for fastest results. October 29, 2012

Home-built solar kiln

Fully illustrated details of a solar dry kiln. May 5, 2003

Moisture Content of Western Red Cedar

A stable wood that is typically serves exterior uses, Western Red Cedar is usually delivered at about 12% moisture content. But you can find it drier than that. July 28, 2006

'Girdling' standing lumber, and why not

Cutting the cambium layer of a tree in order to dry wood while standing. January 4, 2001

Drying Time for 6/4 Red Oak

Here's a quick technical look at the factors affecting kiln drying 6/4 Red Oak, including kiln type and initial moisture content. Air drying may be more cost-effective. July 16, 2012

Wax to Seal Turning Blocks

Thoughts on selecting and applying wax to preserve turning blocks during storage. February 8, 2008

Showing Off Sycamore

Sawing and drying pros show photos of sycamore (quartersawn, spalted, and clean-shaven). February 14, 2006

Using Air-Dried Lumber for Furniture

There are risks, but some say it can be done. April 19, 2006

Drying Black Walnut

Thoughts on drying the lumber from some Black Walnut yard trees. December 6, 2009

Blue Stain in Pine

How big a concern is blue surface stain on softwood? June 12, 2006

Stickers for green lumber

Where do sawyers get their stickers? November 7, 2001

Drying Willow in a Solar Kiln

Challenging scenario: a tricky wood to dry and a difficult kiln to control. February 14, 2010

Drying discs from a walnut log

Ideas for drying and protecting circular slices taken from a walnut log. November 15, 2000

Using a Green Timber as a Girder

Issues to be aware of when using green or partially-green softwood timbers as structural beams. November 28, 2006

Charging for Stickers

Stickers, like anything else, have a value and a price. October 25, 2006

Dry Kiln Information Resources

A list of clubs, organizations, books and publications providing information about drying lumber for use in woodworking. 1998.

Vacuum Dried Red Oak

Achieving quality and color. May 19, 2004

Baseball Bat Billets

Tips on sawing and drying rough stock for bat makers (a tough market to break into). June 18, 2010

Managing Fungus on Cedar

Advice on handling and cleaning a Cedar slab that wasn't properly dried and now harbors fungus. October 19, 2014

Limits of Air Drying

Even in the driest parts of the U.S., air-dried lumber typically won't get below about 10% moisture content. March 10, 2008

Value and Uses of Eastern Red Cedar

The sawing and drying forum kicks around the question of tailoring red cedar products to meet market demand. February 14, 2006

Drying Large Rounds - Preventing Splitting

Is it possible to dry these without problems? October 20, 2003

Minimum Sticker Thickness

How thin can stickers be in order to maximize kiln capacity without creating drying problems? May 11, 2005

Removing Urine Odor from Stored Lumber

Can the smell of rat urine be removed from stored rough lumber before milling it? Here are some suggested remedies. October 8, 2005

Sticker Thickness

Three quarters of an inch is the practical minimum. April 10, 2005

Should I Season Timbers Before Framing a Barn?

Timber-framing works well with green or partially dried timbers, but you should allow for some drying-related movement after construction. May 9, 2007

Sawing An Old Elm Tree

Tension wood from growth stress may call for a modified technique. April 10, 2005

Lindane

Information on Lindane, a pesticide used to control powderpost beetles. June 21, 2000

Challenges of Drying Eucalyptus

Many ways have been tried to prevent Eucalyptus wood's tendency to warp and check, but none have proven to be highly successful. February 29, 2012

Maple Color and Drying Conditions

Maple can turn gray as it dries. If you want white wood, you have to carefully control the kiln conditions. July 30, 2007

Bugs in Mesquite

Bug lore from Mesquite country. December 6, 2009

Drying Cherry in the Basement

Even for a brief storage period, a basement is a dubious place for stacked, stickered wood. January 14, 2009

Adding Heat to a Solar Kiln in Winter

Supplemental heat is tricky, because there's a risk of over-drying and casehardening. May 13, 2009

Growth Stress End Checking

Log characteristics can cause checks to open up, even when ends are coated and drying conditions are correct. February 19, 2006

Stickering and Drying Large Timbers

Large-dimension timbers for framing should be handled correctly to minimize bowing and checking. June 23, 2005

Sawing and Drying Red Gum

Advice on how to process Red Gum and comments about its marketability. January 2, 2012

Drying Oak Lumber: Step 2, Stacking

Another chapter in the Wood Doctor's introduction to wood drying. August 16, 2012

Green Color of Freshly Sawn Walnut

Freshly cut Walnut's green tinge disappears with time and exposure to air. February 17, 2014

Oven-Drying Wood for Moisture Content Testing

Information on the correct methods for oven-drying wood samples to determine moisture content. September 27, 2008

Drying Wood in the Attic

The attic is a handy place to dry small quantities of lumber. Here are some tips and cautions. September 10, 2007

Moisture Meter Quality and Price

What makes a good moisture meter? March 3, 2006

Sawing and Drying Pecan Wood

Advice on handling a Pecan yard tree — including the story of hitting a couple of nails. December 12, 2008

Controlling Pine Wilt Nematode

Advice on halting the spread of Pine wilt nematode (carried by long horn beetles). January 29, 2009

20 Steps to Drying Hard White Maple

The Wood Doctor's 100 percent guaranteed, sure-fire, no-snake-oil method for successfully drying hard white maple. 1998.

Air temp, relative humidity and MC

How much moisture can air hold, and what is the effect on drying lumber? July 4, 2000

What's the Toughest Wood to Dry?

Wood Doctor Gene Wengert lists a few wood species that just love to stay wet. January 27, 2008

Bugs in air-dried ash

Can a stack of ash be saved from an infestation of powderpost beetles? June 20, 2000

Air-dried lumber

Is it air-dried cherry acceptable for furnituremaking? March 20, 2001

Net measure vs. gross measure

If you're not careful, gross measure may mean shrinking profits. February 12, 2001

Air-Drying Very Thin Boards

A discussion of how to sticker and dry 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch green wood. December 31, 2005

Hardness and Kiln-Drying Temperature

Higher drying temperatures affect the hardness and machinability of wood. December 12, 2008

Kiln Drying Color Change

Experts and sawyers discuss the various reasons wood from the same batch might end up with slightly different colors. September 6, 2010

Drying Siberian Elm Slabs

Prone to warpage and bug damage, Siberian Elm is tricky wood to dry. March 31, 2008

Automatic Water-Fill Dry-Wet Bulb RH Metering

Advice on the fine points of keeping a relative humidity monitoring setup supplied with water for the wet bulb. June 13, 2014

Attic drying and over-drying

Can wood be over-dried in your attic? October 15, 2001

Definition of Primary Process

Locating the dividing line between primary and secondary processing of wood products. September 5, 2011

Keeping lumber flat during drying

Advice from Professor Gene Wengert on drying lumber in order to produce flat, true boards. December 12, 2000

Protecting Fresh Wood from Bugs

Chemical means have drawbacks and are not very effective. So good drying and careful hygeine in the the yard are your best methods for keeping wood bug-free. April 20, 2011

Preventing Mold Formation on Freshly Sawn Pine

Surface dryness is the best answer to preventing mold from getting a foothold on sawn softwood. Here are tips on how to achieve it. April 18, 2010

Stacked Pine Timbers and Bluestain

It's better to saw the woods into board and sticker and stack it as soon as possible. December 6, 2009

Standing dry cedar: Lumber-worthy?

Are standing, dead cedar trees a good source for decking boards? July 11, 2000

Troubleshooting Bow in Kiln-Dried Cherry

A discussion of the causes and possible cures for bowing of lumber. November 14, 2009

Attic Lumber Drying

Tips on drying small quantities of wood in a warm attic. January 28, 2014

Uses for Black Gum Lumber

Sawyers discuss how to handle Black Gum wood, and what you can make with it. June 30, 2009

Building with Green Water Oak

Building with timbers that have not been dried creates some degree of risk. September 27, 2008

Relative Humidity in the Wood Storage Area

Advice on what humidity level to maintain where rough lumber is stored, and how to accomplish that. September 23, 2008

Drying a Large Butcher Block

There are ways to dry a large one-piece block without checks developing. October 20, 2005

Drying Cedar Siding

Fresh cedar boards need only a quick air drying for exterior use. October 30, 2005

Drying Heavy Oak Timbers

Expect a lot of checks and cracks. October 2, 2005

Moisture content for exterior doors

Determining the appropriate MC for lumber that will be exposed to vastly different humidity levels. November 14, 2001

-- Architectural Woodworking Forum -- Moisture Effects on Wood (Video)

Wood Doctor Gene Wengert explains in detail about the ways moisture affects wood, in a seven-part YouTube video series. December 31, 2012

Ring Shake in Hemlock

Hemlock makes good boards or framing lumber, but wood from trees exposed to grazing animals may be have structural flaws. July 12, 2005

Drying Walnut and Cherry in the Garage

A garage or attic is an okay place to air-dry small quantities of hardwood. January 2, 2012

Rate of Wood Moisture Gain from Ambient Humidity

How long will it take for furniture stored in an unconditioned warehouse to equilibrate with the ambient moisture conditions? April 18, 2010

Drying Split Catalpa Logs for Benches

Catalpa dries well and is fairly rot-resistant. January 23, 2012

Peruvian Walnut Drying Defects

Peruvian Walnut shows wide variability, which can create drying and machining difficulties. June 13, 2014

Understanding and Preventing Bowing in Air-Dried Wood

A look at some of the factors that can introduce bow into stacked lumber during drying. October 1, 2009

Ambrosia Beetles Versus Powderpost Beetles

A little info on similar, but different, bugs that infest different types of wood. January 27, 2008

Turning and Drying Burls

Burls for bowl turning are best turned while green, and then dried. Here's a little detailed info. January 14, 2008

Basement drying basics

The Wood Doctor prescribes proper drying procedures for a small batch in a basement. June 21, 2000

What Did People Do Before There Was Kiln-Drying?

A historical discussion about lumber drying in the olden days. June 30, 2007

Minimizing Sticker Stain

An explanation of what causes sticker stain, and how it might be prevented. July 30, 2007

Safe Time for Tight Stacking

How long can you safely "dead stack" wood without air spaces before stickering the pile? February 27, 2013

Safe Treating to Prevent Powderpost Beetles

Borates are a practical alternative. Heavier-duty chemicals have drawbacks. December 8, 2012

Optimal width when milling lumber

Milling lumber to the ideal width, and stacking for drying without warpage. December 6, 2000

Controlling Beetles in Fresh Logs

Beetles under the bark of a fresh log don't mean you can't saw the log and use the wood. November 12, 2008

Log End Sealant Cost and Alternatives

Brand name log sealers are costly. Are cheap alternatives effective? October 1, 2009

Lumber Acid Content

A closer look at when lumber or bark might release tannic acid or acetic acid. April 17, 2009

Stacking and Drying Southern Yellow Pine

A sawyer gets advice on stacking and stickering Southern Yellow Pine, and on protecting it against insects. January 25, 2010

Stored Lumber, Ambient Moisture, and Lumber Moisture Content Changes

Kiln-dried lumber stored in a non-conditioned space will equilibrate with the natural relative humidity conditions of the ambient air. April 21, 2011

Using OSB for Stickers

Sawmill pros generally frown on using oriented strand board (OSB) for sticker material. January 17, 2011

Wood Worms

White worms in reclaimed lumber intended for furniture. What to do? April 20, 2011

Mahogany Honeycombing Defect

Honeycombing that appears after planing is typically a drying defect — similar to end checking, but different. April 17, 2009

Concrete bases: An air-drying necessity?

Bases and stacking techniques for air-drying lumber. November 29, 2000

Powder Post Beetle Infestation

Don't put those timbers in your house. January 29, 2009

Kiln dried: Better than air dried?

Why kiln-dried lumber is the best option for wood that will eventually 'live' indoors. 1998.

Is Cedar an Insect Repellent?

Including Cedar in a stack of sawn wood will not keep bugs away, the Wood Doctor explains. July 11, 2013

Why You Should Saw Pine Fresh

period. April 27, 2007

Air Drying Shed Design

A couple of basic tips, plus an example of a simple drying shed for rough sawn lumber. April 21, 2011

Mold on Southern Pine

The wood doctor explains why Southern Pine supposedly dried to 18% moisture content would still support mold after being stacked inside a dried-in house under construction. January 25, 2013

Sticker Thickness and Sources

For good air circulation, stickers need to be at least 3/4 inches thick. Here are ideas on where to get them. October 25, 2006

You say pecan, I say hickory

Pecan lumber is usually sold as hickory. June 20, 2000

Difficulty with Drying Small Loads

Running a predryer with a quarter charge of green wood is tricky to manage and full of risks. April 24, 2014

Drying Holly

Holly wood is prized for its white color, but it stains easily during drying. October 1, 2010

Surface Checking in Walnut

To control surface checking in Walnut, you have to tweak the air-drying process. July 7, 2011

Weighing Down Stacked Lumber

Weighing down the lumber stack with concrete can help the wood dry flatter. June 16, 2014

Seasoning a Large Hardwood Slab

A premium slab is a treasure, but drying it properly requires patience — and nothing will stop it from moving as it dries. April 30, 2006

Moisture Regain in Dried Lumber

Should lumber be end-painted after it's been dried? May 11, 2005

Properties of Tamarack

Tamarack dries nice and straight, but it's splintery and may have some shake. August 8, 2010

Air-Drying Hard Maple

Handle maple carefully and keep an eye on it, if you don't want sticker stain or lumber degrade. October 12, 2007

Stickering and Spacing

No need to space boards when air-drying small batches. February 26, 2005

Air-Dried Wood for Furniture

As this example demonstrates, when a people tell you your air-dried lumber won't make a sweet (and sweet-smelling) piece of furniture, sometimes it's because they want to take your wood away for free. January 11, 2007

Drying Hickory with the Bark

Secrets of preserving the bark on Hickory during drying. April 18, 2010

"True honeycomb" defined

What is "true honeycomb" and what causes it? November 7, 2001

Drying Walnut Boards

Tips on handling, and how to dimension for best value. February 26, 2005

Re-Sawing or Re-Wetting Partially Dried Wood

Either would be a mistake. January 14, 2009

Will Ocean Shipping Damage Teak?

A sawmiller worries that a load of teak he has ordered from a South American supplier may suffer mold damage en route. The feedback indicates he should relax. December 1, 2005

Wood Doc's Video about Wood Moisture

Here's Dr. Gene Wengert's video presentation about wood moisture content and wood behavior. August 16, 2012

Air-Drying Thick Maple

Four-inch-thick maple slabs are likely to degrade a lot during air-drying. Here are a few tips for better results. July 13, 2006

Warping of Boards Cut from a Dead Standing Tree

Uneven drying stresses in standing dead wood may cause warping after the log is sawn. March 3, 2006

Drying Lumber in the Attic

It's hot and dry up there — maybe too dry. But for small amounts, attic drying is feasible, though tricky. December 1, 2005

Pink Stain in White Ash

Pink fungal staining is tough to bleach out, and may be allergenic. March 9, 2010

Harvesting White Pine in Summer

It must be sawn within days, and dried quickly, to maintain good quality. October 2, 2005

Will Down Logs Dry in a Year?

No, and not in 20 years either. January 27, 2008

Salt pastes and PEG

Polyethylene glycol is high-priced, but the alternatives for stabilizing green wood are few. 1998.

Lumber from a lake bottom??

Is it possible to dry logs which have spent 50 years underwater? January 31, 2001

Drying Submerged Logs Recovered from a Lake

A discussion of the technical and legal issues relating to recovered "sinker" logs. September 6, 2010

Cypress board and batten siding

It's better to kiln dry that cypress before siding your house with it than to let air-drying suffice. 1998.

Drying Very Large Oak Timbers

Big timbers should dry very slowly, and even then, the wood may be damaged. May 3, 2011

Drying 4" by 12" White Oak

Slow air-drying before kiln-drying will partially limit the cracking of large pieces of White Oak.

Controlling Splits in Pecan

An explanation of various causes of splitting in lumber as it dries. November 14, 2009

Side Bend or "Crook" and Sawing Methods

On wide boards, sawing too close to the pith can cause boards to bend sideways in drying. December 6, 2012

Interpreting the Psychrometer

Accurate readings are important when using the psychrometer to calculate moisture content. April 15, 2012

Drying Cherry with Complex Grain

Tips on how to dry some pieces of highly figured Cherry wood. April 27, 2007

Water Damage to Glued Cherry

Glued-up wide Cherry boards got rained on. What's the best hope for salvage? January 18, 2011

Air Drying a Slab with a Severe Curve

Lumbermen report mixed results trying to dry stump sections with intense and unusual curvature. April 21, 2008

Understanding Ring Shake and Bacterial Action

The Wood Doctor explains the bacterial causes of ring shake. September 5, 2011

Managing Drying Stress and Cracking

Shrinkage cracking and stress cracking are tough to control. November 14, 2009

Test for Honeycomb

A method for testing dried lumber to detect honeycomb, with advice on how to prevent the checking that leads to honeycomb. June 13, 2014

Black Walnut Sapwood and Heartwood

A few striking examples of the color contrast between Walnut heartwood and sapwood. August 8, 2008

Treating to Inhibit Blue Stain

December 6, 2009

Air Drying and Blue Stain in Southern Pine

Advice on stacking and drying SYP rough lumber prior to kiln-drying it and making mouldings out of it. May 13, 2013

Shipping Green Lumber

Pros discuss the risks involved in shipping green lumber, including uneven drying and moisture damage. December 1, 2005

Drying Softwoods

If the product is structural lumber rather than appearance-grade wood, just dry the stuff as fast as your equipment can. January 27, 2007

Using a moisture meter

How and where to use a moisture meter. November 14, 2001

Drying Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern Red Cedar dries readily with simple air drying, and behaves well when exposed to variations in ambient humidity. April 20, 2011

Techniques for drying wooden bowls

Advice on how to dry large, turned vessels. 1998.

Drying red oak

Is air drying, prior to kiln drying, a good idea? March 20, 2001

Lumber drying options and efficiencies

The Wood Doctor's favorite references for making decisions among lumber-drying options. 1998.

Drying Thick Oak Slabs

Advice on drying six-inch-thick crosscut slabs from a large oak stump. October 29, 2008

Is This Stack of Cherry Ruined?

A newbie mistake left this stack of Cherry wood soaked after a year in the stack. But there's a chance it could still be saved. October 26, 2007

Moving Stickered Lumber

Advice on bundling stickered boards for truck transport. February 12, 2007

Drying Rates of Different Wood Varieties

Drying rates are complicated because they depend on wood density as well as other factors. October 19, 2013

Kiln drying Mexican oak

Mexican oak can be dried using the same schedules as those used by processors in the United States. 1998.

Moisture Content of Freshly Sawn Wood

It's a lot. November 28, 2006

Mold on Green Lumber

Quick drying should contain most mold problems encountered on freshly-sawn green lumber arriving at the kiln. June 13, 2014

Controlling color in air-dried alder

Ideas for achieving color uniformity when air-drying alder. July 26, 2000

Lumber Degrade Above or Below FSP

Is wood subject to degrade and defects above or below FSP?

Log Drying and Degrade

Don't wait to long to saw ... but don't be too quick to write off an old log either. faOctober 4, 2011

Drying green tongue-and-groove pine

Success in drying green, already-machined lumber has much to do with the species. 1998.

Twisting lumber

What causes lumber to twist in a dehumidification kiln? March 20, 2001

Conditioning lumber -- The final step in drying

Why conditioning is the last but crucial step in the drying process. December 12, 2000

Drying Oak Lumber: Step 3A, Measuring Moisture Content

The only reliable method of measuring high MCs is to use the oven-drying method. August 16, 2012

Sawing and Drying Persimmon

Persimmon is a tricky wood to dry. April 15, 2012

Drying black walnut, bug free

Practices for preventing infestations while air-drying lumber. November 29, 2000

Drying hickory lumber

Avoiding sticker stain and bugs in hickory lumber. December 12, 2000

Lumber Handling in Sawmill Operations

Stacking and re-stacking lumber takes its toll on your time and your back. In this thread, sawmillers talk about smarter ways to handle lumber. October 20, 2005

Pith Centering in Cabin "D" Logs

A sawyer wonders how best to avoid distortion as he produces wall logs for a cabin project. February 26, 2005

"Worm tunnels" or fungal growth?

Strange growths on freshly sawn lumber turn out to be "fungal hyphae," not a tunnel made by worms or insects.June 4, 2012

Maple processing basics

The fundamentals of milling and drying maple. August 10, 2000

Moisture Meters: Correcting for Temperature

Understanding the effect of cold temperatures and freezing on moisture meter readings. October 1, 2009

Drying Bowl Blanks

One woodturner reports success with an alcohol pre-soak method. January 13, 2006

Milling and Drying Cottonwood

Tips on how to handle cottonwood for good results. July 28, 2006

Warping, Moisture, and Wood Shape Memory

Will a piece of wood that was restrained to prevent warping during drying warp later, while in use? Only if the moisture in its environment varies. October 30, 2005

Moisture content of walnut -- and measuring it

A woodworker seeks information about acceptable moisture contents for walnut used in furniture, and wonders what makes moisture meters tick. 1998.

Characteristics of European Larch

Naturally durable with decay-resistant heartwood, Larch would make good decking or siding. April 21, 2011

Drying Logs for Cabin Construction

Advice on drying logs for cabin building, including how long to expect air drying to take and how hot to heat logs to set the pitch. October 19, 2014

Force Drying Pecan Slabs

Don't try high heat on Pecan — it can split badly even when slowly air-dried. February 3, 2011

Using Green Stickers

Dry stickers are better, but green could be okay for stacking boards for barn siding. March 28, 2012

Drying Mixed Thicknesses of Lumber

Tips on how to air-dry and kiln-dry lumber of different sawn thicknesses. October 1, 2009

Setting the pitch

The why and how of setting the pitch in heart pine. October 15, 2001

Dipping Lumber Before Stickering

A brief description of dipping lumber in fungicide and insecticide for short-term dead stacking before stickering to air dry. March 28, 2012

Cures for sticker stain

Drying lumber can suffer from sticker stain for a variety of reasons. June 20, 2000

Boiling Wood

Boiling wood before drying has various effects on the outcome. May 23, 2011

Unpleasant Odor in Silver Maple

A perfect description of rotten, stinky, bacterially infected wood. January 11, 2007

Sticker Stain in Hickory

Sticker stain is a warm-weather phenomenon. Here's advice about a suitable schedule for drying Hickory. May 27, 2014

Air-dried oak for casework?

Air-dried lumber needs to live in the environment it will inhabit prior to fabrication. 1998.

Ambrosia Maple

Beetles carry the fungus into semi-wet wood to create food for their offspring. December 11, 2007

Treating Blue Stain on Log Cabin Logs

Advice on cleaning air-dried cabin logs to remove blue stain. October 19, 2014

Moisture Content Percentage Explained

Experts explain why wood moisture content can be higher than 100 percent. February 15, 2009

Preventing Drying Damage to Oak

Advice on controlling the drying conditions for Oak. December 6, 2009

Controlling Checking in a Walnut Mantel

A carefully located plunge cut in the hidden side of a large sawn member may restrict checking to that location. April 18, 2010

Red Cedar Logs for Rustic Furniture

Handling and drying tips for Cedar logs. November 14, 2009

Drying Massive Slabs

Air-drying and kiln-drying 12/4 or 16/4 hardwood slabs is slow and difficult, and the results can be mediocre. February 29, 2012

Heat Treating Logs On Site

Doubts on the feasibility of drying Southern Yellow Pine logs using temporary means at a building site. January 25, 2010

Drying Hickory and Ash without Sticker Stain

Timing and handling both play a role. February 26, 2005

When to Seal Log Ends

If you delay too long before sealing, you may have to cut back the ends to fresh wood first. January 25, 2010

Drying Green Hemlock in a Basement

Nope. Bad idea. February 22, 2011

Shrinkage of Wood Cylinders

Advice on drying wood cylinders with the cores drilled out. December 8, 2012

Determining Wood EMC -- (Equilibrium Moisture Content)

How to calculate and establish EMC. From the Forest Products Laboratory. February 16, 2004