8/4 Walnut

[The WoodYard]

We have some 8/4 Walnut slabs stickered in a barn to air dry before kiln drying. After about 2 months I have noticed a few small end checks. They are Anchorsealed. The barn is pretty much open ended. Could they be getting too much air flow and drying too fast? Thanks.

[Glenn1]

There are members here with plenty more experience but I wonder if you were using the Original Anchorseal or Anchorseal 2.  I heard the president of UC Coatings speak a few months ago and he said that the Original is the go to choice when you have valuable lumber. 

[dean herring]

Glenn, can we get some recent kiln pictures

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

When this coating is applied, which is critical for 8/4 and thicker walnut, you need to apply it thick enough.  I suggest two coats, but one heavy coat is OK; in my experience, most single coats in practice are too thin.

It is indeed good that you are inspecting the lumber.  Inspect it in the afternoon when the humidity is lowest...if inspected in early morning with high humidity, the cracks and checks can close tightly.  At this point, I would apply another coat of end coating and hope that it prevents further damage...it may be too late, but it is worth the effort, just in case.

The initial or first coat of end coating always needs to be applied before the ends start drying...in log form or right after end trimming the lumber.

With a good coating, a little excessive air flow would not be an important issue.  If you think that air flow is too fast, you could cover the ends with burlap or Shade-Dri.

For the benefit of other readers, small end checks in thick walnut can easily extend internally (honeycomb) up to a foot from the end.  So, that is why we are so concerned about proper end coating.

[The WoodYard]

We did end coat before milling. We added another coat today which makes our third. Upon further inspection, most checking was in slabs where the pith remained and a few other spots. With the crazy market for Walnut now, we will continue to inspect. I appreciate you help and always enjoy reading your responses.

[Deese]

I end coat with anchorseal immediately after the tree hits the ground.