[Woodcarver] moisture content of basswood

[RJA]

Marcia Berkall wrote:
> 
> OK...I have a question...
> 
> I have located some basswood but it is still not dry. I'm told it is now 
> at between 16 and 20% moisture content.  What is the ideal range for 
> carving?  I was told that I could have it kiln dried to whatever 
> percentage I want.  Any suggestions?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Marcia (aka Mush) Berkall
> South China, Maine

Basswood is very fickle about proper drying.  Usually the lighter in 
color wood has be cut after the sap is down in the fall or winter 
months.  If the wood is left in a log form during hot weather, the wood 
will frequently get punky spots through the wood.  The punky spots will 
usually be light or almost white in color.  To prevent this condition, 
the log needs to be milled soon after cutting but this can be delayed 
some if the climate is cold as during winter.  After milling the wood 
needs to be stickered and stacked where a good flow of air can pass 
through the packet.  With the use of kilns, this requirement can be 
eliminated but still requires a flow of air to remove the moisture.  As 
other have indicated, 8-12% moisture is desired.  Even after the 
basswood is adequately dried, it needs to be kept in a relatively dry 
location.  I have had pieces in a walkout basement that started to turn 
blue from the humidity and inadequate air flow.  The pieces were inside 
a cabinet which prevented air flow.

Density of the wood seems to be more of the environment (growing 
location) than from the drying process.  There is a possibility that 
kiln drying does cause a rind characteristic in which a external layer 
seems to be harder.  We process about 20-40K board feet yearly of 
northern MN basswood and will frequently find dense wood (hard) and 
suspect that it has come from larger trees and possibly open dry areas. 
  This is all guess work with no exacting study.  The southern wood 
seems to be a denser wood and most of this is probably kiln dried due to 
time factor from mill to consumer.  Another theory that we have is that 
wood with active sap will have a golden color and will be more 
pronounced when kiln dried.  Some of the summer northern cut wood from 
storms has a golden color even though it has been air dried.

Dick Allen





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