Lumber Drying and Quality Control of Moisture Content in Kiln-Dried Lumber

The accuracy of mill segregation of white fir (Abies concolor and A. magnifica) lumber into three types, sap, cork, and sinker, was determined, the kiln-drying rate of the three types examined, and the effect of storage on kiln-dried ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) was observed. The cork segregation was most accurate, the sort containing 80 percent of the type. Sap and sinker sorts contained only about 60 percent of the type. Kiln-drying time for carefully selected types was distinctly different. Sinker took twice as long as sap which took twice as long as cork to dry. Little drying degrade occurred indicating suitable schedules were used. Bulk storage greatly improved uniformity of moisture content. Because of the distinct differences in drying time between types, segregation should be continued and if possible, made more accurate. Since complete accuracy is not possible, mild (USFPL) drying schedules should be used. Since a large range of MC is inevitable without equalizing, which is too costly, kiln-dried lumber should be equalized by bulk storage.

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