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Posted by Doc Dave [66.82.9.92] on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 22:23:23 :
In Reply to: Re: An option to consider on this topic... posted by Gordon Maney [216.81.247.237] on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 13:10:08 :
That is a lot of trees, Gordon! Did you lose many due to dry spells, etc?
Typically I buy it my lumber green, then for the framing lumber I air dry it by stacking it horizontally in layers separated by 4 or so small wooden sticks 3/4" by 3/4" square and 4 feet long placed in even spacings perpendicular to these layers.
The rule of thumb for air drying is 1 year per inch thickness.
If I need the lumber NOW I will buy it already air dried at the lumber yard, but I inspect each piece before loading for any warpage, etc.
For my barn or machine shed siding, I used some very nice rough cut yellow poplar boards in a board and batten layout. The boards were 7/8" thick by 9.25 inches wide and 10 feet long. I used them green. I butted these boards up side to side vertically and nailed them. As they dried the shrunk a bit but the battens will cover these cracks.
Poplar makes EXCELLENT board and batten siding. IT is very straight and does not tend to warp or "change", and is easy to nail. Since it is not being used for studs, etc, the fact that it is not very strong is not an issue.
The picture shows some white oak I air dried in my garage and ultimately used for my bed wood. It dried for two years before I planed it. This wood was dirt cheap compared to white oak you would buy in town.
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