Wood Moisture Content

Wood moisture content is an essential factor in woodworking and construction, as it significantly impacts its properties and behavior. It represents the amount of water present in wood expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry weight.

Can Wood Contain Over 100% Moisture Content?

In general, wood cannot contain moisture content exceeding 100%. However, under specific conditions, it is possible to observe values slightly above 100%. This phenomenon occurs when the wood is fully saturated with water and additional water is absorbed into its cellular structure.

The following conditions can contribute to moisture content above 100%:

• Free water absorbed into the lumen of wood cells
• Hydrophilic cell wall components absorbing moisture beyond their saturation point
• Capillary action drawing water into the wood against gravity

It is important to note that moisture content above 100% is an unstable state. Over time, the wood will release excess water, returning to a moisture content below 100%.