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as fast as possible. If you have just cut down a tree, make the wood into lumber as soon as you can. Processing opens up the wood and helps the drying process, which can prevent stain and rot from affecting the wood. Try and find an indoor location like a hayloft or shed or an outdoor location that is in the shade. Avoid locations like garages which likely don't have enough airflow. Never store wood in the basement or inside boxes as they dry, they definitely won't have enough airflow. Remember that your wood needs to dry in an area with a similar moisture content that the finished product will be exposed to. For example, if you plan to use the wood to make a chair that will be placed in a dry area of your home, store it in an area with similarly low moisture content Point an electric household fan toward your wood between your cutting sessions to improve airflow. This circulation will help your wood dry in at least half the time that it normally would. Exposed ends can lead to drying that is too fast, which paves the way for end-grain cracking and splits. And since moisture escapes wood 10 to 12 times quicker from the ends, leaving them exposed is damaging to the wood. Apply paraffin wax, shellac, polyurethane, or latex paint to the ends in a uniform manner so that both are completely covered. Try to do so as soon as possiblewithin minutesfor the best results. Purchase specially formulated end grain sealers from woodworking or home hardware stores if you don't mind paying a bit more money. When you're cutting your lumber, cut the pieces to the same lengths and thicknesses. Afterward, these equal dimensions will make it easier to stack them in a manner that exposes each side to air. Use small pieces of 34 by 112 inch (1.9cm 14.0cm) wood, also known as stickers, to create space between each side and increase ventilation. Use spacers every 12 inches (30cm) for thinner pieces and 16 inch (41cm) or 24 inch (61cm) spacing for thicker pieces. Don't cover the entire pile of wood to the groundthis will hold in moisture. By just covering the top, you can ensure that each piece is adequately shaded without trapping moisture. Skip this step if you're storing your wood indoors or somewhere with adequate shade. If you're using a pin-type moisture meter, press the 2 tips of the device into your wood. Afterward, turn it on and examine the moisture reading. For pinless meters, press the base of the scanning plane to the wood and activate it. Moisture readings are a percentage between 0 and 100. Buy both types of moisture meters from online suppliers and home hardware stores.
Process your logs Store your wood in a shaded location with ample airflow. Seal off the ends of each piece of lumber immediately after cutting to prevent moisture decay. Stack your lumber uniformly to expose all sides to airflow. Cover the top of your wood with a tarp or plastic sheeting. Measure the moisture content (MC) of your wood with a moisture meter.