Old , dried weak wood is an often repeated phrase. Some wood may be dried , others may be oil soaked. Others that are kept in an environment of moderate humidity will not be dried out.
I've seen many gunstocks over a hundred years old that are just as sound as when new.
I have reused some walnut planks taken from old buildings. They are harder to saw and drive nails through than new lumber. Maple is another wood than gets tougher with age.
|