How to Dry Pine Lumber

All trees including pine trees contain a lot of water in the trunk of the tree when they are alive. When they are cut down the lumber that is produced is still moist as well. You can purchase this moist lumber cheaper than wood that is already dried out, this is called green pine lumber. You can then dry it out yourself to save some money.

1. Lay out cement or wood bricks or blocks in the area where you are going to dry out your wood. Place one wood or cement block in each corner, be sure to measure the placement of the bricks so that they are properly placed in order to support the lumber.


2. Place a wood or cement block in the center of each of the four walls of your perimeter to avoid warping when the pine lumber is drying.


3. Lay out your pieces of pine lumber on the supporting bricks. Be sure to space them out at least two inches apart so that air is allowed to circulate throughout the lumber.


4. Place wood shims on top of the first row of lumber. You should use a shim in the beginning, middle and end of each piece of lumber to help air circulate in between the layers.


5. Repeat this process for each new piece of lumber that you stack on top of the bottom row.


6. Stack all of your lumber by repeating step five until all of your lumber is properly stacked.


7. Leave the lumber to sit in a sunny and dry location for a few days and then check the moisture level of your lumber. If it is not all the way dried out, check that the shims are still in place and that air is still able to circulate between the stacked pieces of pine lumber.


8. Allow the wood to sit for another 24 to 48 hours, or until it is thoroughly dried out. The amount of time that is required to dry out your lumber will vary depending on the outside temperature and humidity level.