United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest

Research Station

General

Technical Report

PNW-GTR-475

December 1999

Western Juniper

Drying Project

Summaries, 1993-96

Scott Leavengood and Larry Swan
Scott Leavengood is a wood products extension agent, Oregon State University

Extension Service, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls, OR 97603-3796; and

Larry Swan is the informal liaison for the Western Juniper Commercialization

Project, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Winema National Forest,

2819 Dahlia, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. This report is the result of work with the U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station and

Pacific Northwest Cooperative Programs, and Oregon State University Extension

Office.

Authors
Leavengood, Scott; Swan, Larry. 1999. Western juniper drying project summaries,

1993-96. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-475. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 8 p.

Drying tests and trials for western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) were conducted between 1993 and 1996 to (1) test and refine existing dry kiln schedules;

(2) develop moisture meter correction factors; (3) test dry western juniper in different

types of kilns, both by itself and with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex

Laws.); (4) explore alternative drying techniques to minimize splitting and warping

caused by inherent growth stresses; and (5) test a “saw-dry-rip” program currently

used in the hardwood industry to reduce splitting and cracking. Test results over a 

3-year period revealed that checking and splitting in juniper can be reduced by 

(1) careful selection of logs to minimize large knots, spiral grain, and excessive taper;

(2) careful treatment of logs after harvest, such as end-coating and sawing logs as

soon as possible after felling; (3) minimizing material with large knots (over one-half

inch) and pith; (4) drying thinner and shorter boards; (5) using moderate kiln schedules (lower initial temperatures, higher initial relative humidities, and longer times);

and (6) finger jointing and emphasizing products that require shorter and thinner lumber than that commonly produced in the Pacific Northwest. 

Keywords: Western juniper, drying, kiln drying, moisture loss.

Abstract
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Document continues on next page.
The purpose of this project was to confront the common perception in the wood industry that western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) is difficult to dry. During

trials conducted by the Western Juniper Commercialization Project in 1993 and 1994,

it became apparent that years of anecdotes about how difficult it is to dry juniper

were hindering the willingness of manufacturers to conduct manufacturing trials and

test market value-added western juniper products. Drying tests and trials were conducted between 1993 and 1996 to:

• Test and refine previously published western juniper dry kiln schedules (Boone and

others 1993)

• Develop moisture meter correction factors

• Test dry western juniper in different types of kilns, both by itself and with other tree

species

• Explore alternative drying technologies to minimize splitting1 and warping caused by

inherent growth stresses, based on available industry infrastructure and capabilities

• Test a “saw-dry-rip” program currently used in the hardwood industry to reduce

warping (Hallock and Bulgrin 1978, Maeglen and Boone 1986)

Another project objective was to expose a broad cross section of manufacturers to

western juniper and its manufacturing characteristics, and promote product trials in

niche markets.

Most standing western juniper (about 80 to 90 percent) is unsuitable for sawing into

lumber because of large and numerous limbs, spiral grain, rapid taper, bark seams,

and rot 2 (Swan 1998). Finished product recovery from the few logs suitable for sawing

is sometimes low because of warping and splitting encountered during remanufacturing. Juniper manufacturing always will be economically marginal unless

methods are developed to maximize recovery.

Warp and splitting often are called “drying defects” because they are linked to moisture loss. One method to reduce warp and splitting, and improve recovery is to refine

kiln schedules (for example, amount of time in the kiln, range of temperatures and

relative humidities, and pretreatments such as steaming) for various products. Another method is to change the condition and dimensions of the material going into the

kiln. Both methods were tested for this project. Several drying techniques used in

other species with high growth stress also were suggested by industry sources

and tested.

Introduction

Methods and

Techniques

1 The terms "splitting" and "checking" often are used interchangeably. A

check is defined as "a lengthwise separation of the wood that usually

extends across the rings of annual growth and parallel to the wood rays"

(Dry Kiln Operator's Manual 1991), whereas splitting often results from

the extension of a check and extends across the full thickness of the

piece. Warp is a broad term that encompasses any distortion in the

"shape" of a board and includes bow, crook, twist, cup, and diamonding.

2 Juniper pocket rot (Pyrofomes demidoffii [Fomes juniperinus]) (Scharpf

1993), also referred to as white trunk rot, attacks a large percentage of

living trees. There is also an unidentified brown cubicle rot (Dealy 1990).

1
Table 1—Moisture meter correction factors for western junipera

Resistance-type meter Dielectric-type meter 

Meter reading ("pin") ("pinless")

6 +1.3 +1.8

8 +1.4 +2.1

10 +1.5 +2.4

12 +1.6 +2.4

14 +1.7 +3.0

16 +1.7 +3.3

18 +1.8 +3.6

20 +1.9 +3.9

22 +2.0 +4.3

24 +2.1 +4.6

26 +2.1 +4.9

28 +2.2 +5.2

a Add the factor given to the meter reading to get the true moisture content.

Source: Milota and Swan 1995. 

Regardless of how well a drying schedule or technique works in an experimental situation, implementation with industry-standard equipment and training will require

adjustments. For that reason, juniper was dried in various kilns and kiln sizes.

Moisture meter correction factors (see table 1) also were needed so kiln operators

could ensure they were drying juniper to customer specifications. Finally, to realistically test and evaluate dried material, properly dried material had to be remanufactured and used in various products and markets.

This project built on prior work by (1) testing and refining kiln schedules developed by

Boone and others (1993) and Kozlik (1976) for products besides “distressed” paneling; (2) testing the schedules derived in different kilns, including radiofrequency (RF),

dehumidification, and vacuum kilns; (3) developing moisture meter correction factors;

and (4) testing methods such as high temperatures and steam, and presteaming, to

reduce warping causd by inherent growth stresses in the wood. Flexibility was maintained throughout the project so that preliminary results provided direction for work

that followed.3

Most manufacturers who primarily manufacture juniper have low-volume operations

(less than 50 thousand board feet per year) and air-dry their material. Air-drying, if

done properly, can dry material slowly and gently, and minimize stresses that can

lead to warping and checking. There are, however, several potential drawbacks to

air-drying juniper lumber: 

2

Prior Work

Current Practices

3 For example, growth stresses were discovered early on to be the major

factor affecting warp in juniper lumber. Lab trials therefore were conducted on methods used for other species with this problem to determine

if they should be attempted on a commercial scale.
• Woodborers—Woodborers can be a problem in air-dried juniper lumber.

Woodborers have been reported emerging from furniture made of air-dried juniper a

year or two after processing (Swan 1996) . It is difficult to attain and maintain the

temperatures necessary to kill insects and their larvae (for 4/4 stock, 130  ̊F for at

least 12 hours) if no supplemental heat source or heating technique exists.

• Weather and ambient temperatures—During much of the year, ambient temperatures and humidities may not allow wood to dry to moisture contents low enough for

remanufactured products, such as finger-jointed/edge-glued panels, flooring, or paneling. Some manufacturers want 6 to 8 percent moisture content. It is hypothesized,

however, that because of low shrink-swell ratios, manufacturers may be safe with 

8 to 10 percent moisture content (Burke 1994). 

• Casehardening—Air-drying does not provide the ability to condition lumber and

relieve casehardening, an internal stress in dried lumber that results in warping during resawing or molding. This stress, however, may not be severe in slowly air-dried

lumber, especially if techniques are used to slow dry (for example, use of fabric

cloth and protection from direct sunlight).

Several juniper manufacturers have contracted their drying with mills that operate

conventional steam kilns. Most kilns are large (50 to 200 thousand board feet capacity) and either require customers to completely fill a kiln with juniper or request that

small volumes be dried with other species (primarily pine or fir in eastern Oregon),

using the kiln schedule of other species. 

Partially filling a kiln and drying juniper with other species has its drawbacks. In trials

where juniper was dried with pine to a target moisture content of 8 to 10 percent,

moisture content of juniper came out at 10 to 12 percent on average. Experience at

another mill indicates that pulling the juniper out earlier in the conditioning cycle (end

of the drying cycle where moisture is added back into the wood to reduce drying

stresses) may result in failure to adequately relieve the drying stresses in the juniper.

In addition, it will interrupt airflow within the kiln (Swan 1998). Milota (1996) cites

other potential problems with mixing juniper and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa

Dougl. ex Laws.) in a dry kiln. If dried with pine heartwood, juniper is likely to dry too

quickly, thereby resulting in excessive checking and warp. If dried with pine sapwood,

juniper may become too dry, again resulting in increased checking. Milota (1996)

mentions these things merely to encourage caution, and states that only experience

will indicate if juniper can be kiln dried properly if mixed with pine.

Dry kiln schedules—According to Milota (1998),4 the western juniper kiln schedules

found in Boone and others (1993; see table 2) should work well if adjusted for kiln

type. The final drying trial was a full kiln charge (about 40,000 board feet) in a standard commercial kiln. Although the kiln operator expressed some anxiety about what

would happen, and in fact pulled the charge about 24 hours sooner than recommended, no problems were encountered. Target moisture content of 8 to 10 percent

probably would have been achieved, rather than 10 to 12 percent, if the recommended schedule had been followed.

3

Results

Summary Discussions

of Individual Drying

Research Project

Components

4 Michael Milota is professor of forest products at Oregon State

University, Forest Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR 97331.
Table 2—Suggested dry kiln schedule of western juniper—all grades

and thicknesses 

Equilibrium 

moisture Relative

Step Time Dry bulb Wet bulb content humidity

Hours Degrees Farenheit --------- Percent ---------

1 0-24 130 123 14.3 81

2 24-48 135 125 12.0 74

3 48-72 140 125 9.6 64

4 72-96 150 135 9.5 66

5 96-120 155 135 8.0 58

6 120-144 160 135 6.8 51

7 144-168 a 180 140 4.5 36

8 Equalize and

condition as

necessary b

a Or until dry.

b This step applies to all columns.

Source: Boone and others 1993.

Moisture meter correction factors—Moisture meter correction factors (see table 1)

for western juniper are small but significant. At 10 to 12 percent, true moisture content averages almost 2 percent above what resistance- and capacitance-type meters

would read if calibrated or set for pine.

Different kiln: single species and mixed—Juniper was dried in three different

steam kilns, a radiofrequency drier, a dehumidification kiln, and a vacuum kiln. 

Air-drying—Juniper air-dried more quickly than expected. Although all material sawn

was green, after just 4 days stacked on the green chain, sapwood moisture content

was about 30 percent and heartwood was 22 percent. After 3 weeks, both heartwood

and sapwood equalized to around 12 to 14 percent moisture content. Conditions

were reported ideal for the air-dried material: temperatures were in the 70s oF, and

winds were light and constant. No excessive shrinkage, cracking, or warp was

noticed.

Steam kilns—No problems were encountered in any of the steam kilns when juniper

lumber was dried by itself. Drying time varied from 87 hours (commercial kiln where

material was removed about 24 hours sooner than recommended) to 168 hours

(Boone and others [1993] recommended schedule). Moisture content targets, however, were consistently exceeded by about 2 percent when juniper was kiln dried with

ponderosa pine (for example, if target moisture content was 8 to 10 percent, juniper

would average 10 to 12 percent). Dried lumber was tested and found free from drying

stresses, thereby indicating that juniper may be conditioned successfully.

4

Equilibrium

moisture

content
Dehumidification kiln—As with air-drying, juniper lumber dried faster than expected

in a dehumidification kiln. Because of several power outages, however, an exact kiln

schedule was not obtainable. Average moisture content of the juniper when removed

from the kiln was 8 to 10 percent. Shrinkage was minimal. Boards were visually inspected, and no severe warp or drying defects were noticed. Any warping observed

appeared reduced for shorter and narrower boards. According to the kiln operator,

probably less than 2 to 3 percent of the sample warped to any extent, and most of

this was due to spiral grain. Drying defects were common to all species with high

heartwood to sapwood ratios.

Radiofrequency drier—The radiofrequency drier was used to dry 1/16-inch sliced

veneer. Challenges were encountered because of large knots and mixtures of heartwood and sapwood. Western juniper veneer required two passes through the drier

and even then, the final moisture content ranged from 3 to 12 percent. Veneer dried

slightly wavy, and small checks developed in pin knots (Swan 1993). Further refinement of schedules would be necessary before full production (Swan 1998).

Vacuum kiln—Two charges of 4/4-juniper lumber were dried to about 9 to 10 percent

moisture content. Total drying time was 6 days per charge. Material in the first charge

appeared to dry satisfactorily without any noticeable degrade. Some bow and slight

crook were evident in the second charge, as well as surface cracking on the jacket

boards. One unanswered question is why the rubber seal on the kiln, which had just

been replaced, had to be replaced again immediately after the first charge of juniper;

the seal appeared deteriorated and full of cuts. This problem did not reoccur with the

second charge of juniper.

Alternative drying techniques—Two alternative drying techniques were tested to

evaluate their potential to relieve growth stress in juniper: high temperatures and

steam (Milota 1995b), and presteaming (Milota 1995a). Based on previous tests and

trials, growth stress is considered the primary cause of the warp encountered during

remanufacturing. Neither technique tested showed potential for reducing warp. Fullscale trials were not conducted. 

Saw-dry-rip program—Tests were conducted to determine if juniper would warp less

if ripped after drying rather than before. Results support previous research and experience with hardwoods: less warpage will occur if kiln-dried lumber is properly conditioned and ripped after rather than before drying (Milota 1996).

About 10 secondary manufacturers were asked to test the juniper dried during the

course of this project in various phases of their remanufacturing processes, as well

as market products made from juniper. Reactions were mixed. Those manufacturers

already working with different species and niche markets were open to further trials

with juniper, especially if there was assistance in finding and exploring new market

niches. Those that had experience and established markets for a limited number of

species were not normally pleased with the results, especially recovery and potential

price of raw material.

5
Several recommendations under various categories can help smooth the drying

process of western juniper. The categories are choice of raw material, treatment of

logs, kiln schedules, primary and secondary processing, air-drying, moisture meter

correction factors, drying juniper with other species such as pine, and use of green

juniper fencing stock.

Choice of raw material—The biggest factor in reducing cracks and splits is raw

material quality (Milota 1997). As with other species, the more material there is with

small knots (under one-half inch) and the less material there is with pith, the fewer

the cracks and splits. This is a challenge in juniper.

Treatment of logs—A correlation seems to exist between how long logs are stored

and an increased amount of cracking and splitting. Cracking and splitting can be reduced by processing logs as soon as possible after harvest and using end coating

(Leavengood and Swan 1996). Experience with other species suggests that water

spray or storage likely are highly effective in reducing end splitting; it is unlikely, 

however, that western juniper manufacturers will use these techniques because of

high capital investment and maintenance requirements, as well as increasing environmental restrictions.

Kiln schedules—The western juniper kiln schedules (Boone and others 1993)

should work well, if adjusted for kiln type (see table 1).

Primary and secondary processing—Warping and checking are common problems

with western juniper, and the techniques to minimize these problems can be contradictory. Sawing to shorter lengths (8 feet or less) and using saw dry-rip techniques

(drying wider boards then ripping) will minimize warp. Drying narrower and thinner

boards will reduce checking and splitting. Perhaps the best practice to follow with

western juniper is, where possible, dry shorter (8-feet or less), thinner, and relatively

wide pieces, and rip after drying. Increased checking and splitting is a risk with wider

boards; however, if end coating is used and knots larger than one-half inch are

avoided, as mentioned previously, checking will be lessened. As with other species,

larger components such as panels should be constructed by finger jointing and edge

gluing. Edge-glued and finger-jointed western juniper panels have been constructed,

and warping and checking were minimal.

Air-drying—Western juniper air-dries well. Because of woodborers, however, airdried material should be carefully prepared before stickering. Two methods to reduce

the potential for woodborers are to (1) saw logs as soon after harvest as possible

and eliminate wane and (2) treat green lumber with one of the commercially available

borax products, such as Bora Care®5 or Tim-bor®. A combination of the two methods

would be optimal. Commonly accepted techniques for predrying hardwoods also

should be implemented: use of filter cloth (or a substitute such as burlap), protection

from direct sunlight, and top weighting. 

6

Recommendations

5 The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of

Agriculture of any product or service.

Drying Process

Categories
Moisture meter correction factors—Understanding moisture meter correction

factors is essential to drying juniper (see table 1). These factors are especially 

important for higher value-added products where moisture content can be a

critical factor.

Drying juniper with other species, such as pine—Although juniper seems to be

“forgiving” during the drying process, Milota (1996) advises caution in putting juniper

in kiln charges composed mainly of other species, such as pine. He states that most

drying defects are related to how fast wood is dried early in the schedule, and pine is

often dried fast to avoid brown stain (which is not a problem for juniper). He recommends starting at a 7  ̊F wet-bulb depression and 130  ̊F equilibrium moisture content

(EMC) of 14 percent. This is compared to pine schedules, which often start with a 15

to 20 ̊F wet-bulb depression, and at 130 to 160  ̊F (EMC of 8 to 10 percent). Additionally, he recommends adjusting the pine schedule so that EMC never goes below

6 to 7 percent (about a 22 to 28  ̊F wet-bulb depression). By doing this, juniper will

not dry to less than 6 to 7 percent moisture content, no matter how long it takes to

dry the pine. Milota (1996) also states that juniper should never be placed on top of

the charge, where temperatures and drying rates tend to be greater, and load-weight

is low and ineffective in reducing warp.

Use of green juniper fencing stock—Based on observations made during the

green juniper fencing trials, including an additional horizontal brace in each fencing

panel, midway between the top and bottom horizontal braces, is recommended.

Using screws instead of nails also is recommended. 

Boone, R.S.; Kozlik, C.J.; Bois, P.J.; Wengert, E.M. 1993. Dry kiln schedules for 

commercial woods: temperate and tropical. FPL-GTR-57. Madison, WI: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 158 p.

Burke, E.J. 1994. Demonstration of the in-service shrinking and swelling properties 

of the wood of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.). 32 p. Unpublished 

report. On file with: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Missoula, MT

59812-1063.

Dealy, J.E. 1990. Western juniper. In: Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. Silvics 

of North America: Vol. 1. Conifers. Agric. Handb. 654. Washington, DC: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 113. 

Hallock, H.; Bulgrin, E.H. 1978. SDR system for yellow-poplar studs. In: 

Proceedings, symposium on marketing and utilization of yellow-poplar; 1978 

March 22-23; Knoxville, TN. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee: 104-113.

Kozlik, C.J. 1976. Kiln-drying of western juniper. Forest Products Journal. 26(8):

73-76.

Leavengood, S.; Swan, L. 1996. Western juniper log storage project. 7 p. Unpublished report. On file with: Oregon State University Extension Service, 3328 

Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls, OR 97603-3796, or Winema National Forest, 

2819 Dahlia St., Klamath Falls, OR 97601.

7

References
Maeglin, R.R.; Boone, R.S. 1986. Increased STUD grade yield of plantation southern pine by saw-dry-rip. Res. Pap. FPL-RP-479. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 8 p.

Milota, M. 1995a. Report on presteaming of juniper. 7 p. Unpublished report. On file 

with: Oregon State University Extension Service, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath

Falls, OR 97603-3796, or Oregon State University, Department of Forest Products,

Forest Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR 97331-7402.

Milota, M. 1995b. Report on steaming of juniper. 2 p. Unpublished report. On file 

with: Oregon State University Extension Service, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath

Falls, OR 97603-3796, or Oregon State University, Department of Forest Products,

Forest Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR 97331-7402.

Milota, M. 1996. Saw-dry-rip for juniper. 5 p. Unpublished report. On file with: Oregon

State University Extension Service, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls, OR 

97603-3796, or Oregon State University, Department of Forest Products, Forest 

Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR 97331-7402.

Milota, M. 1998. Personal communication. Oregon State University Extension 

Service, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls, OR 97603-3796.

Milota, M.; Swan, L. 1995. Drying western juniper. 25 p. Unpublished report. On file 

with: Oregon State University Extension Service, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath

Falls, OR 97603-3796 or Oregon State University, Department of Forest Products,

Forest Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR 97331-7402.

Scharpf, R.F. 1993. Diseases of Pacific Coast conifers. Agric. Handb. 521. 

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 168 p.

Simpson, William T., ed. 1991. Dry kiln operator’s manual. Agric. Handb. 188. 

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 274 p.

Swan, L. 1993. Interim report: noncommercial wood species slicing and drying

project. Unpublished report. On file with: Oregon State University Extension 

Service, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls, OR 97603-3796, or Winema 

National Forest, 2819 Dahlia St., Klamath Falls, OR 97601. 

Swan, L. 1993-98. Personal communication. Various informal reports and observations. Available from: Larry Swan, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

2819 Dahlia St., Klamath Falls, OR 97601.

Swan, L. 1996. Cerambycidae: you don’t have to know how to say it—only how to 

deal with it. Western Juniper Newsletter. Klamath Falls, OR: Oregon State 

University Extension Service. 1(2). 

8
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