Air Dried Walnut

[firefighter ontheside]

I've had some walnut drying in the loft of a barn for over 3 years.  As you can imagine, it gets pretty hot up there in the summer.  I just decided to sell it, since I've got other walnut drying.  It measured 9.5% MC on my cheap meter.  I then checked the stuff that I stacked green last June and it measured about the same.  At least the same thickness boards.  I guess that stuff is not gonna get any drier under my deck.  I want a solar kiln, but I'm not ready yet.  I have been to,d that walnut dries pretty fast.  I guess that's true.

[Ianab]

Yes the Ole "year per inch" guide is a real worst case scenario. Slowest drying wood in a cold wet climate really. Most 1" wood will air dry in maybe three months over summer. Winter or thicker wood will be slower of course. BTW a quick test you can do with your meter is test some wood from the barn itself. If that reads 9-10% then your walnut is as dry as its ever going to get.

[firefighter ontheside]

That's a good idea....checking the barn lumber.  I'll have to try that.