The topic of whether it is better to cut wood wet or dry depends on whether it is being cut for firewood or timber. However, there isn’t a straightforward solution. It depends on both the sort of wood being cut and the purpose for which it will be used.
Dry wood should normally be cut for firewood. Compared to dry wood, wet wood can be more difficult to ignite and burns more inefficiently. Wet wood can also produce additional smoke and airborne contaminants that are bad for the environment and your health. In order to ensure that the firewood is well dried before burning, it is advisable to chop it in the summer or fall.
The solution is a little more challenging when it comes to harvesting timber for lumber. Because they are less likely to split and distort as they dry, some varieties of wood, including oak and hickory, are best cut when they are still green. Because they are more prone to splitting and warping when green, other varieties of wood, such as pine and poplar, are better cut when they are dry.
Generally speaking, the ideal time to harvest wood for lumber is when it is halfway between wet and dry. The wood has reached its maximum moisture content at this stage, which is also referred to as the “fiber saturation point,” and is prepared to be sawn into lumber. The wood is still sufficiently moist to deal with at this point, but it is less likely to split and warp as it dries.
To answer the second point, dying trees can occasionally yield high-quality lumber. As long as the wood is still relatively fresh and hasn’t begun to rot, a tree that dies standing up can be chopped down and its lumber used. A tree, however, is not good for lumber if it has been dead for a long time and has begun to rot since the wood will be fragile and brittle.
In conclusion, the type of wood being cut and the planned purpose will determine whether it is best to cut wood wet or dry. It is recommended to chop dry wood for firewood and to let it dry for at least six months. Cutting wood for lumber is best done when it reaches the fiber saturation point, which is halfway between wet and dry. As for dead trees, if they haven’t started to decay, they can still make decent lumber, but you should always check the wood’s quality before using it for anything.