What is stress relief in lumber, and do I need to do it?
Stress relief in lumber is typically done to counteract casehardening – where the drier outer shell of lumber is stressed by wrapping around a wetter, more expanded core. Wood is dried until the core moisture is at the desired level, then moisture is added rapidly back into the kiln air to bring the outer shell moisture back near the level of the core. We do this as part of the normal kiln-drying process.
