Air drying pine for framing

[Beavertooth]

Does anyone know a website I can direct a customer to so he can read how long it potentially takes 2x  loblolly pine to dry enough to be used for framing. This is a customer who evidently don't believe anything unless he can read it on line. I tried to find something but cannot find exactly what I am looking for .
                                                         Thanks
 

[scsmith42]

Have your customer download the USDA Forestry Products Lab Manuals on air drying lumber. 

https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr117.pdf

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

Your customer has a valid concern in that loblolly warps as it dries, weighs less as it dries, is harder to nail as it dries, shrinks less in use as it dries, spans longer distances as it dries as it gets stronger, etc.  So, drying does change the wood's properties.  In fact, these issues are why in GA over 80% of the framing lumber sold is Canadian SPF.

The air drying time is certainly related to the weather, as well as the local conditions in th air yard.  Another factor is the final moisture content you want...maybe 20% MC?

[Jemclimber]

You could also direct him to purchase a reliable moisture meter. This will tell/show him when his lumber has reached equilibrium moisture content with the air drying conditions he is using.  The time can be variable depending on thickness, temperature and airflow, but using a moisture meter will let him know when the lumber has reached EMC.

[Don P]

and RH  ;)

This is another, it doesn't get into SYP but it does give a sense of the drying rates throughout the year, notice the shape and thus AD times of all the curves through the seasons;
http://sbisrvntweb.uqac.ca/archivage/030108539.pdf

[samandothers]

Don that is pretty cool! Especially give our proximity to Roanoke and Asheville.  It would be nice to have additional species but those help spitball where others may fall.

Thanks

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

The original query was for loblolly in MS.  2" loblolly would dry faster than 2" yellow poplar, but the humidity in MS is higher than in Asheville, NC, so a rough average estimate would be 6/4 YP for 2" loblolly in MS, with sometimes the 5/4 being a better estimate.  Of course, if we have a spell of wet weather, then longer; if drier, then faster.  Make sure to use a roof cover on the pile.

[Beavertooth]

Thanks for the info everyone