Storing Wood 101

[knottyBuoyz]

I've just picked up some well aged (7 yrs) dry Black Cherry. All are rough cut. Five are 4/4 x 8.5' and two are 8/4 x 8.5'. I need to store these till it's time to trim out our boat. Problem is I have no idea how to properly store this lumber until I need it. Should I bring it in the house and store it in the basement or can I build a rack in my boat shed (un heated) and keep it there?

Thanks for the help.

Rick

[Larks]

As long as it is off the ground, in the shade, out of the weather and has an even circulation of air (ie the planks are stickered - that is spacers between planks) either option would be fine.

[Mrleft8]

Basement might not be a great place if it gets very damp, or very hot in winter... But in general you want to store it flat, straight, and loose (IE: with spacers. I like to use 6"X6" every 2' to start, and 3/4" KD stickers directly over the 6X6es between each plank. But I only use the 6X6es because I'm usually starting from green.... So as long as it's up off the ground ought to be fine.), Lots of air flow is good. If you keep it in the basement, hook up a little muffin fan (like a computer fan available at Radio shack for a few $) to keep air circulating.

[Draketail]

There was an article about 2 to 3 years ago in Fine Woodworking magazine that addressed just what you are asking. A very thorough and well explained article. Go to the Fine Woodworking web site and try their on-line index.

[knottyBuoyz]

There was an article about 2 to 3 years ago in Fine Woodworking magazine that addressed just what you are asking. A very thorough and well explained article. Go to the Fine Woodworking web site and try their on-line index.

Got it. Looks like I'll be spending a few hours reading that site! :-)

Thanks

Rick

[Draketail]

You're welcome.

Enjoy.

The article is "Dry Your Own Lumber" from the March/April 2009 issue of Fine Woodworking. Starts on page 72.

[landlocked sailor]

After the wood is dry I am a big proponent of storing it vertically if you have the headroom. Upright storage makes it so ​much easier to sort through and pick the right board. No one ever stacks books flat! This of course presupposes the wood is already dry; green wood will move all sorts of ways if to properly stickered and weighted. Even then it is liable to give you all sorts of surprises. Rick

[Eddiebou]

Cherry (and fruitwood in general) is very succeptible to insect damage. Without kiln drying it, I don't know what precautions to take. It would be really disapointing to store this stuff for a few years only to discover it is full of powderpost beetle holes.