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  1. 9th August 2020, 01:28 PM #1
    RSD
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    Default Drying fallen trees - length vs diameter

    Something I'm starting to see is that for two pieces of fallen tree of the same species and diameter (often from the same tree) that the shorter piece might crack in the ends but the longer piece doesn't (if both pieces are left with unsealed ends). It seems as though there is a relationship between drying rate and diameter/area of the exposed end and the length of the piece of tree (length I guess equates to an increase or decrease in amount of moisture that needs to be released for a given diameter).

    Has anyone else noticed this or done any research/testing to determine the ideal length for a given diameter that can be left to dry without sealing the ends?
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  3. 9th August 2020, 04:30 PM #2
    BobL
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    How short are we taking?
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  4. 9th August 2020, 05:11 PM #3
    RSD
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    Cypress - 150mm diameter, 450mm cracked, 1000mm long didn't
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  5. 9th August 2020, 07:54 PM #4
    BobL
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    Quote Originally Posted by RSD View Post
    Cypress - 150mm diameter, 450mm cracked, 1000mm long didn't
    I don't have that much experience with stuff that small.
    My guess is that there's relatively more sap wood in something that size so short lengths will indeed dry quicker.
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  6. 14th August 2020, 11:13 PM #5
    Euge
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    Maybe its to do with moisture Migration Speed .. which happens mostly from the ends, in short pieces quickly in long ones slowly as moisture from inside migrates slowly to the ends. So drying & stresses (causing cracking) happen more slowly with long pieces. Just speculation.... a guess
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  7. 17th August 2020, 02:25 PM #6
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    TTIT
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euge View Post
    Maybe its to do with moisture Migration Speed .. which happens mostly from the ends, in short pieces quickly in long ones slowly as moisture from inside migrates slowly to the ends. So drying & stresses (causing cracking) happen more slowly with long pieces. Just speculation.... a guess
    On the money there Euge - cut a slice an inch long and the cracking will be all done by beer-time! Seal the ends and it's no longer an issue.
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  8. 17th August 2020, 07:10 PM #7
    Cal
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    The trick is to slab cut it sooner rather than later. Leaving it as a log even with sealing the ends will increase the risk of it splitting. Still make sure to seal the ends of the timber.
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