Measuring the moisture content of wood during processing

Sap, mainly water in a tree stem/trunk, is an important element to sustain the life of the tree. When a tree is felled and the trunk is converted into sawn timber and subsequently to final product, such as furniture, a large amount of this water is removed. There are many reasons for such removal — stabilizing of timber before usage, reduction of weight, enhancement of durability and strength, etc. Information on the amount of moisture present in timber at various stages of conversions or processing is crucial in maintaining the material quality and its effective utilization.