Re: seasoning milled lumber

[Marcus Hardwick <marcus1@sonic.net>]

ROBERT OLIN wrote:
> 

> As an owner builder, a green piece of
> lumber, held tightly by plywood nailed and glued on to it and exposed to air
> on three sides will do most of its curing before you sheetrock or plaster
> it.  And, I live in Washington State, where we learn to live with water.  

Hi Robert,

I'd guess you're milling Douglas fir and framing with it green. Most of
the developments around here (Northern California) are framed with green
doug fir 2X's as kiln dried is more expensive, the framers like nailing
green wood and the climate is suitable. It seems to work fine.

However this practice may not be suitable for low humidity climates
like, say, Colorado or for other species of timber. So heads up to
anyone thinking along these lines. Check local practice.

I agree that thoughtful harvesting of timber on site can be a low impact
way to build. (Saves lots of diesel by not haulin' all them logs and
sticks around not to mention tearin' up the forest floor.) One aspect is
that you may be more likely to build small when you are personally
confronted with the labor involved. 

Best Regards,

Marcus
in Sonoma County