- The drying challenge
- The right wood
- The optimal strength
- The Best Methods
- Tree slice dry in sawdust
- Boil the piece of wood in salted water
- Soak the wooden disc first
- Leave to dry in a drying chamber
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A freshly felled tree is not only good for firewood. You can also cut a decorative tree disc from a thick trunk. However, the natural product must first dry before it fulfills its purpose. There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that no unsightly cracks form.
If tree slices are dried in the air, they often tear
The drying challenge
Only dry wood with a residual moisture content of 10 to 15 percent can be further processed. But when it dries, wood loses moisture and literally shrinks. As a result, the disk does not remain without cracks. However, these cracks should be avoided, since a intact wooden disc is usually required for decoration purposes.
tips
In winter, the water content in the tree is naturally lowest. This time is therefore ideal for felling trees if the wood is to be dried more quickly afterwards.
The right wood
Each type of tree has its own characteristics, which are also reflected in the drying process. Even if the different tree slices look equally beautiful at the beginning, the dry result can still be very different.
- Oaks and beeches almost always crack
- Birch, cherry and softwood, on the other hand, are rarer
The optimal strength
It usually depends on the later use of the wooden disc in which strength it is desired. But the thickness of the tree slice also has an effect on drying. The thinner a piece of wood is, the more prone it is to cracking. Experience has shown that panes with a thickness of 5 to 10 cm are easier to dry without cracking.
The Best Methods
Tree slices dry very slowly in the fresh air, which is why ovens and microwaves are often recommended. It's faster, but the results are disappointing. If you want a beautiful wooden disc, you just have to be patient. The following methods promise more success:
- Dry tree slice in sawdust
- Boil the piece of wood in salted water
- Soak the wooden disc first
- Dry in drying chamber
Tree slice dry in sawdust
Tree slices placed in sawdust dry gently and quickly. Moisture is evenly distributed to the sawdust. A large mortar pan that provides enough space for the tree disc and the sawdust is ideal.
However, there is also a risk of mold or mold stains forming on the wood. Therefore, check the condition of the pane regularly and, if necessary, switch to air drying.
Boil the piece of wood in salted water
Boiling salt water flushes plant sap out of the cells of the tree disc. This means that it can be fully dried in a room within a few days.
- Cover disc with water
- add about 500 grams of salt
- cook for about 1.5 hours
Soak the wooden disc first
If you have access to a body of water, this method is optimal.
- Place the tree disc in a basket that allows water to flow around it.
- Tie the basket somewhere to keep it from floating away.
- Leave the tree disc in the water for two to three weeks so that the plant sap is completely washed out.
- You can then continue to dry the pane in a room.
Leave to dry in a drying chamber
If a carpentry workshop in your area has a so-called drying chamber, you can ask them for support. Depending on the type of wood, the tree disc is sufficiently dry after about two to six weeks in the drying chamber.
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