Tips for Curing and Treating Your Own Pine
Posted on: 19 June 2017
If you are harvesting your own pine, there are numerous steps you need to take before the pine is ready to use. In particular, as pine is a relatively soft wood, you may want to treat the wood. That can prevent it from breaking down quickly, which is especially important for outdoor applications. Here are some steps to help you through the process.
1. Always Let the Pine Cure
Green wood shouldn't be used for any applications. Unless you are in an emergency situation where you need wood immediately, you should always leave an ample amount of time between the moment you cut down the pine until the moment you use it.
After you cut the pine, use your saw to cut the wood into the shape you desire. Then, let the pine cure. It should be in a cool dry space. Stack the first layer of wood on pallets or cinder blocks to keep the pine off the ground. Then, stack the remaining layers in alternating directions with lots of space between them.
If you treat the pine without curing it, the wood will be too wet, and it won't absorb the treatment.
2. Consider Professional Curing
If a white layer of fungus forms on your pine, that means that your home curing area was too wet. Try adding a dehumidifier to the area. Alternatively, pay a professional to handle the curing for you. Then, do the treatment on your own.
3. Rub in Fungicides
When the pine is cured, you can start to treat it. There are commercial fungicides, wormicides and insecticides you can buy to put into pine. You can buy these online or through a timber supply company. Don't use the spray—that may result in untreated spots. Instead, just put the liquid on a rag, and then, gently massage it into the pine. Make sure that you have covered the whole area.
4. Try a Marine Finish
After the fungicide or other pine treatments have been absorbed, you may want to add a marine finish. This type of finish is designed to protect wood that is going to be on the sea all day long, but it can also be helpful for pine used for outdoor applications such as decking or fence posts. The finish helps protect the wood from the effects of water and sunlight.
5. Consider Non-Chemical Treatments
In some cases, you may decide that you don't want treated pine. For instance, if you are using the pine as a border for a raised garden and you don't want the insecticides to permeate the soil, you may want to look into alternatives. Consider a non-chemical treatment such as wrapping the base of the wood in plastic.
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