Drying wood

[Mr. Maar]

Is it throu that 6 months can be enough time for drying cutten tree?

[Bob Smalser]

How thick?

And what kind of tree?

3-4 months during April-October in a covered, stickered, stack with good airflow will generally dry 1"-thick cedar from the 30% moisture content it was in the log to 12% or so in most places.

Most hardwoods take a 6-month drying season per inch of thickness....and softwoods other than cedar generally split the difference.

So yes....your 4/4 beech, oak and spruce stock if stickered now should be ready to use by November. Thicker than that....no.

[ 05-05-2005, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Mr. Maar]

Spruce, oak, beech.

[Bruce Hooke]

Every bit of what Bob said is important! So, just to add emphasis to a couple of points:

For 6 months to be enough it has to be in the warmer and dryer months of the year. In places with cool to cold winters no little or no drying takes place in the winter.

Also, 2" (5cm) thick wood takes twice as long to dry as 1" (2.5cm) thick wood.

[Tonyr]

Make sure to keep the thick boards out of direct sunlight. I recommend waxing the ends heavily (to slow down drying there, and so reduce splitting).

Tony.