Wood as a Building Material - Carpenter's and Builder's Math, Plans, and Specifications - page 45

(A) (B)
Figure 2-5 (A) Quartersawed and (B) plain-sawed boards cut
from a log. (Courtesy Forest Product Lab)
moisture uniformity and relieve residual stresses and sets. Care-
ful techniques are necessary, especially during the drying phase, to
protect the wood from stain and decay and from excessive drying
stresses that cause defects and degrade. The established seasoning
methods are air-drying and kiln drying.
Drying has the following effects:
Reduces the weight of wood, with a resulting decrease in ship-
ping costs
Reduces or eliminates shrinkage, checking, and warping in
service
Increases strength and nail holding power; decreases suscepti-
bility to infection by blue stain and other fungi