The cells in wood continue to absorb relative humidity in the air, and they also secrete moisture when the surrounding relative humidity is low. Instead of thinking of “dry wood” as a static final resource material, think of it as a flexible, moving sponge. Some woods do an excellent job making us think they are not moving and shifting because of moisture content, but they are. It will absorb and release moisture forever. Why is this?Įverything everywhere is relative. Equilibriumĭid you notice the definition of dry wood above? “When the amount of moisture in a particular piece of wood is reduced to the point where no more moisture can be moved out of the log,” does not mean the wood is 100% moisture free. Another alternative, a microwave can aide in this process by methodically heating the wood-locked moisture which forces it to escape in the form of water vapor. A rule of thumb that is thrown around often is one year of air drying time per one inch of wood thickness.Ī dryer or kiln can be used to reduce the moisture content more rapidly. Wood will become “dry” by letting it sit for a long enough period of time. When the amount of moisture in a particular piece of wood is reduced to the point where no more moisture can be moved out of the log, this constitutes dry wood. With either the passage of time or the use of a kiln, wood is dried or seasoned. Wood that can still lose excess moisture is green wood. This may sound silly, but virtually any wood that is wet and not dry is green wood. Wood can hold moisture for very long periods of time after being cut or downed. This may be wood from a just fallen tree or a log that has sat for some time. That type of green wood is usually dripping with moisture, especially if harvested in the spring or summer months.Īny wood that is not seasoned and noticeably moist is considered green wood. Some people, define green wood as only freshly cut wood that comes from a recently growing living tree. What is Green Woodīefore we go too far, it makes sense to define green wood. In this article, I will share with you what I’ve learned about turning green wood bowls, both acquired knowledge and first-hand experience. Turning green wood is not without its drawbacks and quirks. As most woodturners don’t have access to kilns or dryers and purchased dried blanks are usually expensive, meaning more than free, we will be discussing the fine art of turning green wood bowls on the lathe. There are two broad categories of bowl blanks, green or wet wood and dried bowl blanks. It is up to us to apply our vision to see the potential that lies in each grain-filled specimen and bring it to a new life as a functional or decorative turned piece. Whether it’s a small branch or an entire massive tree, all wood bowls start with some type of raw forest material.Īnd as woodturners, we need to understand this dynamic material to harness its possibilities and not become surprised or potentially humiliated by its realities. Raw timber, green wood, is the blank canvas of bowl turning. Wood is an ever-changing, dynamic material. Taking a freshly cut piece of timber and turning it into a form, a creation to enjoy, use, and admire, is the ultimate gratification. Turning green wood bowls is one of the most satisfying experiences imaginable.
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