The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Drying and Processing => Topic started by: TheTall on July 13, 2017, 01:57:28 PM

Title: Noob questions for drying Ponderosa Pine, slabs and 2x
Post by: TheTall on July 13, 2017, 01:57:28 PM
Hello all,

I am with Crossroad Recycled Lumber and while we usually deal with reclaimed lumber, due to the high tree mortality caused by the bark beetle we find ourselves with a bit of blue stained ponderosa pine in need of drying.

Because of this our company bought a Nyle L500 and installed it into a Refer 40' container. Our standard cut off from our Mobile Dimension saw is 2x.

Sometimes we get 4"-6" slab off of it as well.

Since I am new to this I am looking for some pointers or help on drying schedules.

Currently, while we await the kiln to get up and running, we air sticker all the wood and allow it to dry thus.

Title: Re: Noob questions for drying Ponderosa Pine, slabs and 2x
Post by: redprospector on July 17, 2017, 01:28:13 PM
I know nothing about Nyle kilns, but curious about where you are.
I've come to the conclusion that here, in the desert Southwest, I may need a kiln to slow down the drying process. Or at least try to control it some.
Title: Re: Noob questions for drying Ponderosa Pine, slabs and 2x
Post by: GeneWengert-WoodDoc on July 19, 2017, 07:58:28 AM
Because this wood dries so fast in air drying, it is usually best to air dry for a week or two and then finish it in the kiln to obtain the correct final MC.   You can then run the kiln as hot and dry as you can achieve without damaging the lumber, but do not overdry as that makes the wood brittle.
Title: Re: Noob questions for drying Ponderosa Pine, slabs and 2x
Post by: TheTall on July 20, 2017, 04:12:31 PM
Hey redprospector,

Crossroads Recycled Lumber is located in North Fork California, which is about 45 min of so from Yosemite's South Gate. While not desert, in does get hot and dry here, last week we hit 100 and stayed there for while. Summers in the high 90's to low 100's are not uncommon.
Title: Re: Noob questions for drying Ponderosa Pine, slabs and 2x
Post by: OlJarhead on July 20, 2017, 04:35:25 PM
I air dry ponderosa all the time and it does very well as long as it isn't in the direct sunlight (shade with sides and ends open but tops covered.

No kiln here but air drying seems to do well and Ponderosa doesn't shrink much at all.