I decided to do a little experiment. I cut some live pine yesterday. This tree was about 20" at the base, and actively growing. The experiment: How much drying will happen in 24 hours in hot sunny weather. I picked 8 random pieces that were about the same size. All wedge shaped. All have bark on one side. At 11am, I split 3 of them and tested them with my moisture meter. Average moisture content is 29.2. I put the other 5 out on the deck railing in direct sun. It's just over 90 degrees out there (yes, I'm hiding inside for the rest of the day with the AC going ) with a light breeze. Humidity is 25 to 40%, depending on what undependable weather site you look at. 0% chance of rain. So great firewood hoarding hive mind. What do you think the moisture content will be at 11am tomorrow morning after roasting outside for 24 hours ?
2-4% less is my wager.... of course, you’d have to re-split to get a more accurate reading. Paul bunion ’s suggestion of weighing the split at initial busting is probably the best way I’ve ever heard to determine this. Plus, the split doesn’t need re-split every time you want to stick the pins in it. I hope he comes along to clarify.
Nope...my less than scientifically perfect experiment is going to be done with a moisture meter......especially since I don't have a scale that would accurately measure a split. I'll split them open tomorrow at 11.
Looking forward to the results. Kind of be surprised if there is a measurable decrease in 24hrs. But who knows....
The very outside of the wood will dry and be 10% lower if measured with the same environmental conditions.(without pushing pins very deep) If splitting again...the inside.. there won't be any change. Maybe near the ends of1-2%.
Ok. I split them all and tested them right in the middle. Of course, my phone is giving me grief and won't upload the pictures. You'll just have to take my word for it. 25.5 23.6 23.0 33.7 33.6 Previous average: 29.2 After 24 hours average: 27.9 I was a little surprised by those 33's About the only conclusion I can come to from this is that I wish I'd taken a larger sample. Still...even with the 33's in there, the average still dropped 1.3% Perhaps roasting in the sun, even for a day, does drop moisture content a measurable amount. I'm going to try this experiment again someday, with more pieces to test.
According to this the moisture content of sapwood and heartwood is vastly different for fresh cut softwoods Drying Softwoods for Value Added Markets – Wood Products Extension Skip to the 7th and 8th paragraphs of this and the next to last chart. I never knew that there is such a major moisture difference between the sapwood and heartwood on softwoods. I'd be curious to know what you find just under the bark to see if you can confirm it Probably get moisture readings that are off the top of the scale. I think I have seen this when cutting and burning large diameter balsam and spruce trees. I've noticed mold growing in a doughnut shape on rounds, I assume to be caused by there being moisture on the outer edges. I've also noticed the doughnut effect on the ends when burning fresh cut logs.
Thanks for posting this link!!! By the way OP I’m gonna flow in the same percentage rate as Eric here but let it be knowng as your percentage rates for moisture get smaller, your rate of kindling will grow!
Well, I'm by far a tree scientist but time and regardless of temps as long as it's above freezing will dry wood "about" the same pace. Yes, Heat will contribute in speed but I've cut Oak with a moisture of 31.0% and three years later after cooking in the Hot NJ sun all summer, I still had 16.0%, removing about 5% per year. It would be great if you were able to have the Kiln dried effect for about 8 months out of the year but everything I've read states the best method for drying is "air movement".
WeldrDave, interesting you added above freezing in there.. I often felt my times are are longer than most.. Maybe months spent below freezing..
Correct! The drying process goes "dormant" after freezing. Wood has to "wick" from the inside out. Again, I'm no expert but I've read many articles on wood drying and the whole process, people used to say it needed to be covered tight, well all that does is trap moisture and create mold. Yes, cover it from snow and rain in the winter but allow it to breath. A good wood shed with lots of air flow is perfect. I haven't covered my wood, ever when it's drying. I only put the winters worth in my wood shed. Also I may add that different species of wood will of course dry at different paces. I've had silver Maple ready in less than two years but "rarely". I have Oak and some Hickory out on the stacks now that are 5 years old and just hit 12%, Ready for the winter.
