Preparations
Generally, after the wood is milled, it is then seasoned to allow moisture to evaporate. This process helps eliminate the lumber from shrinking and warping. The lumber is seasoned using either an air-dried method or a kiln-dried method.

Air-dried lumber is stacked in layers so that air can circulate between the cut timbers. This process usually takes several months. The seasoning times are subject to atmospheric conditions.

Kiln-dried lumber is dried in a controlled environment. The lumber is stacked in oven-like buildings where the moisture content is reduced in less than a week.

Good Wood
Framing lumber should contain no more than 19% moisture. Lumber sold for framing in the U.S. should bear designations disclosing the approximate moisture content. Typical designation are S-DRY, or KD-19, meaning Surfaced dried at 19% and Kiln-dried at 19% respectively. The lower the moisture content, the stronger the wood.

There are two general categories of lumber: softwoods and hardwoods. The terms hardwood and softwood refer to the type of trees that produce the lumbers.

Softwoods
Examples of softwoods are pine, cedar and spruce. Softwoods are most commonly used in building construction. Builders prefer softwood because it's relatively inexpensive and readily available. Softwood trees produce cones and are known as coniferous trees. Most pressure treated lumber is softwood.

Hardwoods
Examples of hardwoods are oak, birch and maple. Hardwoods are generally stronger and more naturally resistant to decay than softwoods. These trees shed their leaves annually (usually during the autumn season) and are known as deciduous trees.

Species	Type	Characteristics	Uses
Cedar	Softwood	fine texture, highly decay resistant, light weight, finishes well	chest and closets, shingles, moldings doors and boats.
Fir	Softwood	coarse texture, relatively heavy, finishes poorly	plywood, residential framing
Hemlock	Softwood	very fine texture, highly decay resistant, light weight, extremely workable	construction lumber, plywood, panels
Pine	Softwood	medium texture, lightweight, minimal shrinkage, extremely workable, not very resistant to decay	Residential framing,
Redwood	Softwood	medium texture, highly decay resistant, heavy, finishes well	Boards, joist, post, outdoor furniture
Birch	Hardwood	medium texture, difficulty to work, finishes well	Cabinets, doors, plywood veneer
Cherry	Hardwood	medium texture, workable, finishes well	Cabinets, caskets, plywood veneer
Mahogany	Hardwood	fine texture, highly decay resistant, heavy, easy to work, finishes well	Furniture
Maple	Hardwood	medium texture, difficulty to work, heavy, finishes well	Flooring, furniture
Oak	Hardwood	open grain, course texture, heavy, finishes well, easy to work	Post, flooring, furniture
Walnut	Hardwood	open grain, fine texture, highly decay resistant, easy to work, finishes well	Furniture, cabinets

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