Drying the tree slice »That way it won't crack

The drying challenge

Only dry wood with a residual moisture content of 10 to 15 percent can be processed further. But when it dries, wood loses moisture and literally shrinks. As a result, the disc does not remain without cracks. However, it is important to avoid these cracks, as an intact wooden disc is usually required for decoration purposes.

The right wood

Each type of tree has its own characteristics, which are also evident during the drying process. Even if the different tree grates look equally beautiful at the beginning, the dry result can still be very different.

• Oak and beech 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 thickness it is desired. But the thickness of the

Tree grate also has an effect on drying. The thinner a piece of wood is, the more susceptible it is to cracks. Experience has shown that panes with a thickness of 5 to 10 cm can be dried more easily without cracks.

The best methods

Tree grates dry very slowly in the fresh air, so the oven and microwave 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:

• Tree slice in sawdust dry
• Boil the piece of wood in salted water
• Soak the wooden disc beforehand
• Dry in the drying chamber

Tree slice dry in sawdust

Tree slices placed in sawdust dry gently and quickly. This releases moisture evenly to the sawdust. A large mortar pan is ideal, in which the tree grate and sawdust find sufficient space.

However, there is also the risk that mold or mildew stains will form on the wood. You should therefore regularly check the condition of the pane and, if necessary, switch to air drying.

Boil the piece of wood in salted water

Boiling salt water washes sap from the cells of the tree disc. This means that it can be completely dried in a room within a few days.

• Cover the slice with water
• Add about 500 grams of salt
• for about. Cook for 1.5 hours

Soak the wooden disc beforehand

If you have access to a body of water, this method is ideal.

1. Place the tree grate in a basket around which water can flow.
2. Tie the basket somewhere to prevent it from drifting away.
3. Leave the tree slice in the water for two to three weeks so that the sap is completely flushed out.
4. You can then dry the pane further in a room.

Let dry in the drying chamber

If a carpenter's workshop in your area has a so-called drying chamber, you can ask for support there. Depending on the type of wood, the tree slice will have dried sufficiently after about two to six weeks in the drying chamber.