Stack shrinkage

I posted this picture here in a thread where I was cutting up my load of logs last year. It was to emphasize how I stack right up to the roof in between the joists.



Now I'm in the process of filling the basement for this winter to make room in the woodshed for the next load of logs. Big difference in one year. The stack is about 7 1/2 feet high at this point.
Looks to have shrunk about 6 or 7 inches.
Interesting to see photographic proof instead of just trying to remember.

 

I’ve noticed this too with my woodshed. Several inches of height loss. I guess you could question whether the wood actually shrinks or if the stack just settles.

 

For the really inquisitive, I guess you could measure several pieces with dial/Vernier calipers or a micrometer and label them. Then re-measure in the future. One would have to be REALLY curious to go to those lengths though

 

I see the same thing in my shed and it is mostly shrinkage, and yes I've measured it by calipers. Give me a break I'm a machinist. You can also look up "wood shrinkage charts". I've played with a pallet bander tightened around a group of wet splits and you could gradually see it loosen. Also interesting to take a fresh split and sharpie it's weight on it then put it in the stack and when you get around to burning it weight it again.

 

Woodsman saw the same thing. I’ll be curious to see it on mine too

 

That’s funny. I figured I wasn’t the only machinist on here. Those are interesting experiments to run. I’ll have to look into those wood shrinkage charts sometime.

 

Wood does shrink when it looses moisture. I think that is pretty cool Chris you have pictures to show how much. There could be some settling but not that much.

 

Shrinkage so the 3 year plan is now 3.5 year plan it’s like taxes I tell ya!!

 

I didn't think about it earlier, but when I had the highly valuable black walnut boarded out, I had it stickered and used ratchet straps across 4x4's on the top and bottom.

Had to tighten down the straps about 4 times or so.

I did not measure board thickness before/after, so it coulda been the straps.

But I was advised to re-tighten occasionally due to shrinkage.

 

I sorta been noticing that with my outside stacks. I walk by and think to myself “I know I stacked that higher than that”
“Was I especially lazy that day”? LOL

 

If the wood is shrinking, wouldn't it now be the 2.75 year plan?

 

Yeah I've noticed it over the years but never had photographic proof. Now nobody here can say it never happened...LOL.
That shrinkage means a whole lot of water is now gone from the membranes in the wood. A very visible sign of moisture loss just like cracking on the ends and sides.

 

I'm definitely noticing some drastic shrinkage on the big holz hausen. I've heard of people stacking their hausens around a pole in the center, then marking it with a line at the top of the roof. As the wood seasons you'll have a reference point for how much the stack has shrunk.

 

That's nothing. 2 years ago I stacked a pallet almost 8' high....all strapped down tight as can be. Is shrank by almost 3' in less than a year !!!
Never did get the pallet dug out, just covered it up.