Abstract
This study was performed to investigate the effect of green sorting before drying on the high-temperature drying characteristics of southern yellow pine dimension lumber(2"${\times}$6"${\times}$12'). To test the advantages of weight sorting, green lumber was seperated into heavy(above 55 1b), medium(50-55 1b), and light(below 50 1b)weight classes. Pieces in each weight class were subgrouped into high(above 35%) and low(below 30%) latewood groups. Groups were dried and seperated by a standard commercial high-temperature schedule; dry bulb temperature $245^{\circ}$ F, wet bulb temperature $180^{\circ}$ F, and air velocity 1200fpm. The results obtained were as follows; 1. There was a highly significant correlation between annual rings per inch(X) and percent-latewood(Y). The regression equation was Y=24, 5047+1.3272X. 2. There were highly significant correlations between either annual rings per inch($X_1$) or percent-latewood($X_2$) a.d specific gravity in green wood(Y). Their regression equations were Y=0.4260+0.0081$X_1$ and Y=0.3749+0.0029$X_2$, respectively. 3. Heavier weight charges dried more slowly than lighter weight charges. 4. Board-to-board variation in green or dry moisture content was less for all seperate weight classes than for unseperated control charges. 5. Lower latewood pieces had higher initial moisture content than higher latewood pieces, and then drying time for lower late wood pieces was longer than higher latewood pieces.