Kiln-Drying Water and Swamp Tupelo

Swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) were segregated into sapwood and heartwood and rough-dressed to green lumber. Swamp tupelo contains from 63-140 percent moisture content in the heartwood and from 84-135 percent in the sapwood. Ranges for water tupelo are 102-184 percent MC, respectively. Fourteen kiln runs were made to establish proper drying schedules. Swamp tupelo dried faster than water tupelo. The sapwood of each dried faster than the heartwood. Therefore, segregation is strongly recommended. Problems in differentiation may occur. Water tupelo bark is usually thinner and the tree usually comes from flat, flooded land. There may be a problem in differentiating sapwood of water tupelo from heartwood. If outer heartwood is included in a charge of sapwood, the use of low relative humidities and high temperature must be held up until the heartwood is down to the proper moisture content in order to prevent honeycombing. Because of considerable interlocking grain, warping may be a serious problem. However, there was no difference in the amount of warping as a result of differences in kiln schedules. Weighting the load may be helpful. Schedules are given.

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