Thread: Timber movement in service

Until recently I was doing wicked things by failing to properly take into account movement of timber in service. Thanks to all the blokes here who put me on the path of righteousness.

Bootle hints at but does not answer one of my questions. He explains that more dense timbers move more slowly, but with more power, and that less dense timbers move faster, but to a lesser degree.

My question is; is the degree of shrinkage of the timber during drying an indicator of the amount of movement likely during service?

If this is the case, then where minimising movement is important we should select timbers that have minimal shrinkage during drying. NG Rosewood is a case in point with only 1% radial and 2% tangential shrinkage (Bootle). Red cedar is twice that, but still low compared to most timbers.

Am I on the right track here?