Why are timber frames generally made with “green” wood?
Timber frames have traditionally been built using green timber – meaning timber that has been freshly felled and has a high moisture content. The reasons were basically twofold: working dry timber with chisels, axes, adzes and planes is more difficult and time consuming the cost of stockpiling an inventory of large timber while it dries over the course of many years is cost prohibitive As green wood dries out in the heated home, it shrinks. We have to allow for this shrinkage in our design and joinery. Does this affect the tightness of the frame? No, because we drawbore all of our joints. Drawboring is the process of misaligning the holes in the mortice and tenon so that when an oak peg is driven in it pulls the joint together tightly. As the frame dries, this joint maintains its tightness. All medieval and new world timber frames were pegged in this fashion. Large section timber also cracks as it dries. This process is called checking, and is a natural consequence of a timber that is
