How Is Lumber Heat Treated?

Purpose of Heat Treating Heat treating is used to eliminate pests which may be found in softwoods and hardwoods that have been cut into lumber. The main pests which are targeted by heat treating are the pinewood nematode and the Asian long-horned beetle, though other pests are eliminated as well. By heat treating wood to eliminate these pests, crops and forests in other portions of the country and the world are protected from infestations that can arise from untreated wood being shipped to the area. Heat Treating Process Lumber that is to be heat treated is placed into an oven or kiln. The air temperature surrounding the wood is increased so that the wood itself begins to heat up, eventually reaching an internal temperature of 56 degrees Celsius or 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the wood has reached this temperature at its core, the temperature must be maintained for at least 30 minutes. This ensures that any pests or eggs that may be in the wood are killed by the time that the ...  more