Utilization of Western Hardwoods

Hardwoods have not been utilized to any great extent in the West because of their scattered stand and difficulties in seasoning. Furthermore, the West is rich in conifers which are more attractive financially than the hardwoods. However, there is no longer an unlimited supply of coniferous timber nowadays. The West is also beginning to harvest second-growth conifers which are of smaller size than before. Furthermore, some of the western hardwoods are becoming established on the lumber market. Therefore, future prospects for hardwood utilization in the west are bright. Three-fourths-inch California black oak lumber was sawed into 3-inch and 6-inch strips. The lumber was piled in 4 by 4 by 16 foot units for air-drying. They were air-dried to less than 30 percent moisture content in 25 days of good drying weather. The lumber was subsequently kiln-dried to 10 per cent moisture content in 30 to 50 hours without causing any serious drying defects. Using 4/4 random width black oak lumber piled in 4 by 4-foot units and with 1- by 2-inch stickers, the lumber lost 80 percent moisture content in 60 days on the yard. The lumber was then kiln-dried to 6 percent final moisture content in 15 days. No drying defect was found in the whole operation. Other drying experiments are currently being conducted on tanoak, madrone, laurel. Results to date indicate these species will always be difficult to dry without checking and warping.

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