Q.
I just purchased 250 board feet of 5/4 black cherry that has been air drying in a barn for several months.

I was told by the mill operator that the moisture content (MC) was about 18 percent.

I just stored this lumber in my basement and stickered it about every 2 to 3 feet, with 3/4 kiln-dried pine.

My questions are:

1) Is it O.K. that I've stacked this lumber in my basement to dry at 18 percent MC [i.e., is the differential in the temp between outside (~35 - 45 degree F) and inside (~ 68 - 70 degree F) going to dry it too fast and warp the wood];

2) Do my stickers need to be closer together;

3) Should I be running a fan;

4) If it needs more stickering or if I've moved it into my basement too soon, will one day in my basement have harmed the lumber, and

5) Should the sides of the boards be touching each other in a row?

Also, what would be considered 'enough' weight on my pile? It is stacked wide and low. Should I narrow and heighten the stack?

Note: My house temperature is about 68 degrees F, it is mid-April in central Ontario. It is cool (40 - 50 degrees F) and somewhat damp outside, but has been rather dry in previous weeks.

A.
Your questions indicate that you really need to read a book about the basics of drying ASAP. There is more to it than your questions cover.

1) Is it O.K. that I've stacked this lumber in my basement to dry at 18 percent MC
It is O.K. if the relative humidity (RH)is low. It will take energy, so it will cool the basement; it will also raise the RH.

3) Will it dry too fast and warp the wood
No.

2) Do my stickers need to be closer together
No, not at this MC.

3) Should I be running a fan
Yes, to stir up the air.

4) If it needs more stickering or if I've moved it into my basement too soon, will one day in my basement have harmed the lumber?
No, just remember that there's a profound difference between air and kiln drying.

5) Should the sides of the boards be touching each other in a row?
It's O.K. at this MC, especially if the pack is under 6 feet wide.

Also, what would be considered as 'enough' weight on my pile?
The best is about 10 inches of concrete over the entire stack.

It is stacked wide and low. Should I narrow and heighten the stack? It is probably better to be narrow; 4 feet wide is good, if the stack is stable.
Gene Wengert, forum moderator

Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?

KnowledgeBase: Lumber & Plywood: Storage

KnowledgeBase: Primary Processing: Air Drying Lumber

KnowledgeBase: Primary Processing: Kiln Operation

KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base



Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.

Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

Return to beginning of article.

Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page. Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site. To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster Copyright © 1996-2008 - WOODWEB ® Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor. Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy. The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB, Inc. RR4 Box 265A Montrose, PA 18801 Contact WOODWEB