Log Drying Timelapse
A 3-month timelapse of an oak log as is air drys. This video shows how checking and cracking occurs in round wood timber when dried out. The log was cut fresh from a fallen tree on day 1. End grain sealing is carried out when joinery timber is dried to prevent this from occurring. The cracking is caused by the loss of water from the log that results in shrinkage. In round timber there is nowhere for the tension to be released so eventually cracks form.