Get it kiln dried. If you can't find a place in phone book, etc., contact
your closest saw mill. Maybe even (real)lumber yards might know where to
fine a place. If I remember correctly, it takes about 2 weeks for one
inch basswood to kiln dry and about 32 days for oak. Not all kilns do
custom work. But, if you find one that does not, you might plead your case
and win.
Maybe ask at a cabinet shop.

Pete Stanaitis
----------------


"Dave Balderstone" wrote in message
news:220720111644584940%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderst one.ca...
A neighbour's favourite mountain ash went down in a windstorm the other
day, and they have asked me to create some keepsakes as it was the tree
they were married in front of.

I've slabbed a section of the trunk into approx 1" x 5" x 18" pieces
for stickering and stacking. Am end-sealing them now. The wood is very
wet.

Can anyone point me towards a cheap way to speed up the drying
somewhat? I've told them that it could be 6 months before it's dry
enough to work, but she's been through chemo lately and even though she
seems to be doing well, I would like to do this as soon as possible.

I have never worked with mountain ash (rowant) before and don't know
how to expect it to behave while drying. All and any advice would be
most welcome.