How to Dry Walnut Lumber
Lumber is wood that is cut fresh from logs and is usually purchased from a sawmill. Its moisture content can be 200 percent higher than the moisture content in wood sold to builders and other consumers at lumberyards. If you need to dry out your lumber, it is important to do it properly or else the lumber will end up cracking or warping. Walnut wood is especially susceptible to these problems while drying, so there are some key things to keep in mind when drying it out. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Apply a sealant to the ends of the walnut lumber immediately after it is cut and you receive it. You can use a purchased sealant, latex paint or wax. If it is a little older, cut off about a half inch from each end with a saw. When you seal the walnut lumber, you are preventing the end of the boards from drying out and cracking, which will ruin them.
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Provide the walnut lumber with lots of air. Bring the wood to a large space before beginning the drying process, so you don't have to transport it later. Ideally, it needs to be covered in a shed, barn or under a roof enclosure.
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Stack the wood in layers, and place a sticker perpendicular between each board so that the boards aren't touching and have air circulation. A sticker is usually a small board that is about 4 feet long, 1 inch by 1 inch.
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Layer the boards so the lighter, smaller boards are on the bottom, with the heavier, thicker walnut lumber on top. This will help press down the smaller boards and ensure that they don't warp.
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Keep the pile away from direct sunlight, and make sure it has lots of air circulation. If you keep it in a fully enclosed structure, you may need to keep fans at the end of the walnut lumber pile to increase the flow of air, especially on days with high humidity. If there is not enough air circulation, fungus will grow. Protect piles that are kept outdoors by covering them with a large tarp underneath and on top.
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