The Forestry Forum
General Forestry => Drying and Processing => Topic started by: firefighter ontheside on April 07, 2018, 05:05:45 PM
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.
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.
That's a good idea....checking the barn lumber. I'll have to try that.