Effect of radial origin on final moisture content and gradient, casehardening, cracking and deformations of dried Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) timber

Abstract

Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) timber is a good raw material, particularly for the carpentry industry. However, in the radial direction varying wood properties, like density, may have an effect on the drying quality of sawn larch timber. Thus, final moisture content (MC), MC gradient, casehardening, cracking and deformations were studied according to radial origins, taking into account the orientation of annual rings. The effect of radial origin on MC properties was mainly caused by the differences in the basic density between different radial locations. Differing ring orientation between planks of different radial origin most probably affected the MC gradient. As casehardening and deformations had clear trends in radial direction, differences in them may be largely caused by MC differences. Thus including larch timber of similar density and ring orientation in the same drying lot would help achieve larch timber of uniform drying quality.