Wood drying

[Robbyrasta]

A theoretical question-

when you cut a willow, or such like, tree down and leave it in lengths- sometimes it starts to sprout- 

Is that wood drying out (seasoning) the same as one that doesn’t sprout? 

(Especially if the sprouting length is off the ground with no rooting sprouts)

discuss

 

[Squaredy]

2 hours ago, Robbyrasta said:

A theoretical question-

when you cut a willow, or such like, tree down and leave it in lengths- sometimes it starts to sprout- 

Is that wood drying out (seasoning) the same as one that doesn’t sprout? 

(Especially if the sprouting length is off the ground with no rooting sprouts)

discuss

 

As a general rule logs do not dry very well until they are cut to short lengths or milled.  This does vary by species, for example Oak barely dries at all in the round.  The fact that the log is sprouting shows it is still alive and has enough moisture in to grow.  If it continues to be deprived of any fresh moisture it will eventually dry and die.  If it is touching the ground some species especially Willows and Poplars will actually take root and start to grow properly.

 

So to answer your question the log may still be drying but very slowly.  I have got logs in my yard sprouting now that were felled in 2016, and they are not touching the ground.