Air Drying Lumber

If the decision is made to air dry, there are a number of points to keep in mind:

Lumber should be stacked within one to two days.

Good air movement is the key to successful air drying. The first step in ensuring good air flow is

to choose an open site that is not exposed to strong winds. Wooded sites tend to have less air

movement and higher humidity which may slow drying.

Do not allow grass or weeds to grow near the piles to a height of more than 6 inches (preferably no

grass or weeds at all). Avoid dusty areas as well.

When stacking lumber, a good foundation is critical. The stack should be well off the ground,

supported by cement blocks or bricks. Having the first course of lumber 16" off the ground is not

too high. The foundation and bolsters (supporting beams) on which the lumber is to be piled need

to be level. An uneven base will lead to twisting and warping in the lumber. (See Figure 1.)

Spacers (called stickers) must be placed between the layers of boards to allow air flow through the

pile. Stickers should be one to two inches wide, one inch thick, as long as the pile is wide, and

made from straight, dry lumber which is free from knots. Uniform sticker thickness is critical.