Knowra Wood drying Wood drying Wood drying is the controlled removal of moisture from green or wet wood. It reduces dimensional movement and decay risk while preparing wood for processing and use.
Wood moisture content : The mass of water in wood expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry mass. Drying targets a moisture content suited to the wood’s intended environment and use.
Air drying (lumber) : The drying of stacked lumber by exposure to ambient air under shelter or outdoors. It is a low-energy alternative to kiln drying, but depends on weather and takes longer.
Wood : A porous, fibrous material formed mainly from the secondary xylem of trees and other plants. Its cellular structure governs moisture storage, movement, and drying behavior.
Wood preservation : Methods that protect wood from biological decay, insects, or other forms of deterioration. Lower moisture can make conditions less favorable for decay, but does not replace preservative treatment.
Fiber saturation point : The moisture content at which cell walls are saturated but free water has left the cell cavities. Below this threshold, moisture loss causes shrinkage and changes in wood properties.
Kiln drying : The drying of wood in an enclosed chamber where temperature, humidity, and airflow are controlled. It enables faster, more uniform drying to a specified moisture content.
Bound water : Water held within the cell walls of wood by molecular attraction. Removing bound water below fiber saturation causes wood to shrink.
Woodworking : The craft and practice of shaping, joining, and finishing wood products. Drier stock is generally easier to machine and finish predictably.
Wood shrinkage : The reduction in wood dimensions as moisture leaves cell walls below the fiber saturation point. Uneven shrinkage during drying creates stress, distortion, and checking.
Solar kiln : A wood-drying kiln that uses solar heat, typically with fans and controlled vents. It adapts kiln drying for lower-cost operation where solar energy is available.
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