I just aquired a white oak burl that formed around a branch, not from the trunk side. It was cut about a year ago and left in the woodplie, somewhat shaded. I trimmed off the bark and (sort of) squared it up. I can feel the dampness, but it quickly dissipates. It’s between 13% and 19% MC., depending where I test. It is about 5-1/2″x6″x12″ long, and extremely hard. The branch is about 2-1/2″ in diameter, and still protuding (it makes a good handle!). What can I do to keep this burl from cracking as it dries? I have a concrete floor basement/shop, which stays quite stable in the 70-80 deg. range. Thanks for any pointers. erclb
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Dear erclb,
Woodturners have a number of techniques to prevent wood from cracking as it dries. You can coat it in paraffin or Anchorseal. Sometimes, even a coat of latex paint works. Or, you can wrap the wood in several layers of newspaper and put the bundle in a paper grocery bag. Every week or so, check the newspaper and change it for dry ones as needed. The point of all these techniques is to allow the wood to dry uniformly and slowly. The rule of thumb is to allow one year of drying for every inch of thickness, plus one year.
Good luck.
David Heim
Managing Editor
FineWoodworking.Com
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