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PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:13 am 
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Why does timber shrink?

oh yes, probably too easy, but, when you really t hink about it it is a very
complicated thing.

Go on then give it your best shot!!!

I will try to be more active, but no promises.......

eric


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:11 am 
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I think because over time it drys out and looses moisture and the cells in the wood start collapsing. But then, that is too simple so, I'm sure there is a much more complicated answer.
Maybe it is the termites eating it up.? :confused:

Waiting with bated breath for the real reason. :-D

Rog

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PostPosted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:01 pm 
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I thought the bait was good enough to attract more then just Roger, and he wouldn't take it... Oh well I will let it run with the current a little longer....

:wink:

eric


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:37 pm 
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A board is a living product. During its life, moisture is taken on and is then lost, which does change the width of the board. Timber only dies when burnt.

Verna (with a bit of help from a Down Under website :wink: )


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:44 am 
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Quote:
A board is a living product. During its life, moisture is taken on and is then lost, which does change the width of the board. Timber only dies when burnt.


Hey Verna,

Sorry to disagree but, the wood that is your lumber is dead, and has been for a long time, even when it was still part of the tree. In fact, the only living part is a thin layer of cells just under the cambium (essentially the last growth ring).

The reason wood shrinks is the same reason a sponge shrinks as it dries. The water evaporates, and the structure that takes up the volume of the wood collapses, or partially collapses. In living tissues, there are generally two types of water, cellular water, the medium that supports the cellular organelles, and bound water, which is water molecularly bound to the proteins and carbohydrates of the cells. In vascular plants such as trees, there is also the water carried by the xylem and phloem, the micro tubules that transport the water and nutrients up and down the tree. Most of that water is lost when the tree is cut (logging can be a very wet business).

The first water lost is the vascular water, followed by the cellular water, and finally the bound water.

Tom

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PostPosted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:27 pm 
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COOL!!!! Finally, someone disagreed with me!!!! I couldn't believe the info when I found it on the Internet, but just decided to try to get a discussion going.....it worked!!!

And, Tom, after having a maple tree cut down about 6 weeks ago, I do agree that felling trees is wet work. The stump is still producing sap, covered with carpenter ants, flies and whatever else wants it. It's been far too wet to have a contractor come in to chip up the stump.

Verna


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 5:03 pm 
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Thank you Tom! Your answer is better and more eloquent then mine so any one who hasn't read Tom's post scroll up.

and kudos to Verna for stirring the pot! :D

eric


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