The process of inducing evaporation of the moisture contained in wood; a type of hydrothermal treatment of wood is known as wood seasoning. The purpose of seasoning is to reduce the moisture content in the wood to a level appropriate to the use of the articles made from the wood.

Seasoning of timber is the process by which moisture content in the timber is reduced to required level. By reducing moisture content, the strength, elasticity and durability properties are developed. A well-seasoned timber has 15% moisture content in it.

There are two main ways of seasoning timber, Natural (Air) and Artificial (Kiln) drying. Both methods require the timber be stacked and separated to allow the full circulation flow of air, etc. around the stack. Air seasoning is the method used with the timber stacked in the open air.

Seasoning is a process to remove sap(moisture) from timber. Basically, well-seasoned timber has 12%-15% of moisture content. Basically reason of seasoning is to improve engineer property of timber like. To improve hardness, strength and toughness. To decrease decay of timber due to moisture.

The Different Ways That Seasoning in Wood Can Be Achieved

• Moisture Content of Wood. Water is stored in wood in two primary forms:
• Kiln Seasoning.
• Air Drying.
• Solar Drying.
• Microwave Seasoning.
• Chemical Seasoning.
• Seasoning Degrade.
• Sources:

Precautions During Seasoning of Timber During air seasoning, seasoned timber should be protected from high humidity and rain exposure. For easy and uniform passing of air and water s a suitable gap between logs should be kept.

3 Advantages of Building with Seasoned Wood

• Reduced Inception of Decay or Stain Fungi. Seasoned wood dried to a moisture content of less than 20% below the fibre saturation point will ultimately prevent the onset of stain fungi and decay.
• Weighs Less.
• Increased Strength and Stability.

Disadvantages of Natural Seasoning of Timber: This process is long and depends on natural air. In natural seasoning, the ends of timber dry fast and split. Interior portion of wood may remain moist while exterior part dries quickly. During the natural seasoning, there is a possibility of fungal and insect attack.

Reduction of moisture using salt solution is called chemical seasoning. After the absorption of water by the solution logs are let to dry. It increases the strength of the timber.

There are many ways of seasoning or drying timber, but only two methods have been found satisfactory, principally for economic reasons. They are air drying and kiln drying. Air drying will be considered in detail in this publication, but kiln drying is a special- ized process.

Denser hardwoods such as hickory, birch, oak, beech and maple not only burn hotter but also longer. If more heat and longer burn times are desired, go with hardwoods. On the other side, spruce, pine, willow, cottonwood, cedar and other softer woods will burn faster and not generate as much heat.

To identify well-seasoned wood, check the ends of the logs. If they are dark in colour and cracked, they are dry. Dry seasoned wood is lighter in weight than wet wood and makes a hollow sound when hitting two pieces together. If there is any green colour visible or bark is hard to peel, the log is not yet dry.

The time it takes for firewood to season can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on a number of variables such as the starting moisture content of the wood, how well the wood is stacked and covered, and the climate. Firewood should be seasoned for at least 6 months before checking its moisture content.

Hiss sounds from burning firewood is a sign that the wood is too high in moisture or sap content. Unseasoned firewood that is still too wet to burn efficiently can make hissing noises as the excess moisture within the wood is burnt off.

Under the influence of heat, wood produces easily substances that react eagerly with oxygen, leading to the high propensity of wood to ignite and burn. Gaseous substances react with each other and oxygen, releasing a large amount of heat that further induces pyrolysis and combustion reactions.