- 1). Select lumber from the sawmill or lumber yard that is free of large end splits and cracks. This will help ensure your wood stays stable as it acclimates in your shop. Also check to see if the ends have been sealed with wax. If so this is yet another preventive step against splitting.
- 2). Bring the wood into your shop or any covered area that has a consistent climate, such as a garage or shed. If you have a small amount of wood, set up a pair of sawhorses and lay the first layer of boards on them. Set a few plywood strips on these boards spacing them about 18 inches apart. Then stack the next layer of wood on top of these strips, known as 'stickers.' These stickers allow air to circulate around each board, helping maintain consistent moisture loss or absorption. Continue stacking the rest of your wood in this manner. If you have a large amount of lumber, you can lay 4 inch by 4 inch by 3 foot wooden posts on the ground and stack the lumber on top of those, again using stickers between each layer.
- 3). Leave the wood stacked in this formation for at least a week, and check the ends often to see if any cracks or spits develop. The idea is for the wood to acclimate to the moisture levels of your shop or storage space. After a week, you can stand the lumber on end to save floor space or stack it on a dedicated lumber rack.
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