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Abstract
A reduced temperature drying schedule was investigated as a means of improving grade recovery of structural veneer cut from water stored southern pine logs. Fresh cut, one year old, and three year old logs were evaluated. In total, close to one thousand sheets of veneer were evaluated. Reducing the temperature in the last zone of the veneer dryer from 193 to 177°C substantially decreased incidence of grade-reducing splits. Moisture content average and distribution were not effected. Water sorption tests showed favorable results from the one year old material that was dried at the reduced temperature schedule. Relatively high thickness variation of veneer cut from water stored logs had no apparent affect on final moisture content average or distribution. Reducing the zone three temperature by 16°C increased the total veneer drying times by 13 and 19%, respectively, for the three year old and one year old material.