Forest Sciences Commons^™

W179 Wood Products Information - Moisture Content Of 'Seasoned' Firewood, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

The most important property of good firewood is moisture content. Firewood should be fully seasoned (to below 20 percent moisture content) before being burned. Because it can be difficult to ensure that purchased firewood is properly seasoned, the best approach is to buy and stack firewood well before it is needed. There is no danger in over-seasoning wood – drier is better.

W158 Wood Products Information - A Test Of Water-Repellent Coatings For Wood, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Water-repellent coatings slow the uptake of liquid water and are used to improve the appearance and longevity of exterior wood surfaces. By reducing the periodic wetting of wood, water-repellent coatings can reduce the swell-and-shrink cycles that contribute to the checking and weathering of exposed wood such as decking boards.

Many different water-repellents, varying widely in price, are available from a number of manufacturers. A test conducted at the University of Tennessee Forest Products Center compared some of these products.