15. 4. 2015.
Yellow discoloration in oak
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Yellow discoloration in oak
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Causes of yellow staining in kiln-dried oak are
discussed. October 2, 2001
Question
We are lumber
importers specializing in
Reclaimed Antique
oak (European oak and Redwood
US white oak). All of the
European lumber Rare Salvaged Old Growth
arrives fresh sawn and BarnWood/ Timbers/ Decking/
we dry it ourselves.
Thicker stuff (6/4" and Lumber
up) goes into classical
low temperature (40-50°
C) convection kilns. 4/4
and 5/4 goes into higher
temperature (80° C)
kilns with forced ventilation (Bollman - Germany).
On several occasions we've had problems with a pronounced yellow
discoloration that goes deep into the grain and does not disappear
with planing. We cannot find a constant factor in the different cases.
All thicknesses are involved. Although we find it mostly in European
oak, I have seen it in American white oak, too (backing boards). It
happens in both of the kiln types. The affected wood comes from
different sawmills. There are no similarities to be found in the
conditions before kiln drying (under covered shed; in open air) or
during kiln drying. There are no problems during the drying cycles.
Some bundles have it, others do not.
This is quite a mystery to us. Here is a picture of the discoloration.
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15. 4. 2015. Yellow discoloration in oak
Forum Responses
When I was at Virginia Tech, we had this stain analyzed and it turned
out to be a precursor involved with lignin. So, it seems to be related
to the tree and something to do with its growth, growth stress, or
whatever. As such, control is beyond the kiln operator.
Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor
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15. 4. 2015. Yellow discoloration in oak
Yellow discolouration of European and American white oak might be
caused by a fungi infection (paecilomyces variottii). This was shown
by Professor Bauch in Germany in 1991. The discolouration only
occurs in heartwood, though the fungi also live in sapwood. The
actual colouring substance is assumed to be the result of some kind
of reaction between the fungi and extractives naturally occurring in the
heartwood.
The fungi like high surface MC and it commonly occurs around
stickers. The problem increases with low air speed and the use of
thin stickers (less then 15 mm or 3/5’). The fungi survive in
temperatures up to 50°C (122°F) and may thereby survive the early
stages of conventional kiln drying. It sometimes occurs during air-
drying and might thereby develop during storage and transportation
prior to the kiln drying.
A way to diminish the problem is to increase the air speed and
ensure an even distribution of the airflow through the kiln load. It is
also possible, but not recommendable to use chemical treatments. In
some cases, e.g. thick European oak, it might even be economical to
shift technology in to vacuum drying to avoid this and other problems.
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