|
Abstract:
|
Log moisture content has an important impact on many aspects of log home construction, including log processing, transportation costs, and dimensional stability in use. Air-drying times for house logs from freshly harvested trees can depend on numerous factors including initial moisture content, log diameter, bark condition, and environmental conditions during drying.
In this study we evaluated air drying properties of young-growth Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Cam) and of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) from logs harvested in southeast Alaska. For each species, we considered inside storage in a warehouse vs. outside storage as well as debarked vs. bark remaining conditions, resulting in 4 experimental treatments. We considered moisture losses after 8 and 12 months of air drying.
There was considerable moisture loss for Sitka spruce logs, and much of the drying occurred during the first 8 months. Fastest drying rates for both species were for peeled logs with inside storage. Western hemlock logs showed higher moisture contents and greater moisture content variation (vs. Sitka spruce), and in most cases would require additional drying beyond the 12 month study period to produce satisfactory house logs. Results of this study are significant in that they can help entrepreneurs determine appropriate levels of capital investment (for example land, covered storage, debarking equipment) as well as whether to dry and process logs in southeast Alaska vs. some other location.
|
