Harvesting wood in winter on a waning moon

[Eric Garza]

I came across this on Facebook today, from the Northmen Guild website (northmen.com):

For thousands of years people have been preoccupied with how the time of year when a tree is felled influences the quality of the timber. Felled wood is particularly strong and hard-wearing during a waning moon and when there is a new moon.

It’s not only the trees themselves that are able to reach ages which can exceed ours by a hundredfold: their wood can last undamaged for incredible periods of time. Take for example the wooden temples in Asia, which have survived not only centuries, but close to two millennia. Artfully built by Buddhist monks out of enormous tree trunks, such human monuments reveal all of the possibilities which lie hidden in trees. Norwegian stave churches also are an example of a wood that can last more than a millennia.

But how does wood become a material which can withstand the toll of thousands of years of weather unscathed? Three things are responsible for making wood particularly durable. First, choosing properly grown trees; second, harvesting the wood at the right time, and, third, correctly storing, drying and processing the wood. In this section we would like to look at the harvesting time in more detail.

The sap being at its lowest and harvesting during a waning moon form the golden thread, which weaves its way through the historical relationship between man and trees. From Julius Caesar, to Pliny the Elder, to Theophrastus, there are records and reports of how trees were harvested only when the moon was waning. The proper felling time was known about in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance too. The fact that the same lunar rules crop up time and time again naturally gives the topic a lot of weight. Still, it’s not scientific proof.
In 2003 a small research team at one of the most prestigious, technological universities in Europe, ETH Zurich, worked to establish a scientific proof. Prof. Ernst Zürcher conducted a research project which initially investigated the relationships between rhythms in time and plants in a broad context.

It was observed that the way beans swelled in water is not always the same, but in fact corresponds to the rhythm of the moon. As the moon waxes, the beans soak up more water, and as it wanes, they “drink” much less in the same time. The germination of seeds of different trees and plants was investigated as a function of the rhythm of the lunar phases. It was shown that the germination rate, germ rates, mean height and height of the plants correlate with the lunar phase after four months. A further investigation revealed that trees pulse exactly in time with the tides of the oceans as governed by the moon. When the moon is waxing, the trunks expand. When the moon is waning, they shrink again. The diameter of the trees grows and shrinks in rhythm with the ebb and flow – only by a few hundredths of a millimeter but measurable nonetheless.

The direct weathering tests carried out on wood samples, which were evaluated as part of the study at the ETH Zurich, were however decisive in proving the influence of the moon on construction timber. In the actual weathering test, in which a large number of mushroom spores collectively worked away on the wood, Prof. Zürcher investigated the validity of the old tree felling rules and was able to establish for the first time that moon wood is more durable and more resistant to weathering than conventionally harvested wood. In addition, he was also able to explain an important part of the underlying principle.

He discovered that water in wood is something quite different to water in a glass. The connection of the water and the wood cells, the movement of the liquid within the honeycomb pattern, cascades and the finest capillary tubes are subject to numerous physical influences. For example, water in the very finest of capillary tubes can assume a gelatinous aggregate state and remain liquid up to -15°C.

Moon wood, harvested during the waning moon, has more bound water in its interior. This means that it contracts more tightly during the drying process, it only shrinks to a marginal degree. This makes the wood denser, more resistant to compression and also more resistant to invasive fungi, insects and voracious flames. The advantage moon wood has in terms of density ranged from 5-7% over several thousand samples. From a technical point of view, this is a significant improvement compared to “non-moon wood”.

Thoughts?

[Jim Davis]

Great stuff for my use. I'm going to print out a thousand copies and distribute them on the soil when I plant my garden. That will be the best use of this BS.

[superdav95]

Very interesting. I’ve heard of this before but never was able to find anything citing studies on the topic.  It may be worth trying out for our purposes as Boyers.  The questions I have about it are this… 

Will it be enough of a difference in performance to be worth the extra time and effort to harvest winter “moon”  wood?  Having to deal with bark removal from winter wood is enough of a deterrent on its own.
 
Are there other ways make wood dencer such as fire hardening or heat treating to get same or better result anyway?  Properly drying sealed and split staves shrinks the wood a bit also.  Is this essentially the same thing in the end as far as we need to be concerned with? 

Is it more about choosing the right tree in the right area ie, low lying areas or dryer higher locations and ensuring good late wood during the build?  (Not accounting for skill level on the build).

Anyway just some of my thoughts and questions about it.  Thanks for posting

Dave

[Jim Davis]

I will admit and can provide scientific evidence that the best bow wood is cut within two weeks of a new moon.

[Allyn T]

The highest tides are at both full moon and new moon, waning and waxing have to do with how much the moon is in the Earth's shadow not how strong the pull is.

[willie]

Moon wood, harvested during the waning moon, has more bound water in its interior. This means that it contracts more tightly during the drying process, it only shrinks to a marginal degree. This makes the wood denser, more resistant to compression and also more resistant to invasive fungi, insects and voracious flames. The advantage moon wood has in terms of density ranged from 5-7% over several thousand samples. From a technical point of view, this is a significant improvement compared to “non-moon wood”.[/i]

Thoughts?

was the tree fatter in volume during the waning moon?
if you cut a stave now, say 1/4 of the trunk, and another from the same tree, just like it (another quarter of the trunk), two weeks later, don't they have the same amount of "wood" in them after they dry?

now if you milled a board out of a wet cant from tree that was fatter on account of the waning moon, then compared it to an identical size board that was milled from a drier cant taken from the tree two weeks later,......the one milled from the drier cant has more wood.

I will admit and can provide scientific evidence that the best bow wood is cut withing two weeks of a new moon.

lol.  any time of month is "within two weeks of a full moon"

[Jim Davis]

 

[George Tsoukalas]

Removing bark from winter cut white woods will make you scream at  the moon.
Jawge

[simk]

This is very ancient science. Even today many timber construction companys here around harvest after the ancient moon calendar. There's harvesting dates for every desired wood proerties: thers days where the wood does not rot, or not check or not burn, and so on... Maybe its only a marketing thing, maybe its a truth behind...I will not judge about that 🤗

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thoma.at/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/thoma-mondkalender-2022-2023.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiF9I-l7rr8AhUYhv0HHToyAS4QFnoECAsQAg&usg=AOvVaw1CS8adVM1iGhOvvGPU13Kc

[Eric Garza]

This is very ancient science...

I can't read that language, but definitely interesting that at least some companies take this seriously. I wonder if there are resources available in English?

[simk]

Eric, I will try to have it translated by deepl tonight. Not sure tough, what comes out when a machine translates medieval german 🤣

[simk]

deepl is a great tool,

here's the document in english.

one should try and harvest wood  on march 1 after sunset. It shall not burn. I have talked this topic to a few people swearing that thing is true!

cheers

MONDHOLZ - it all depends on the right time!
Almost all people involved in logging and wood processing know that winter is generally the best time to
harvest wood. The saps have descended, the wood "works" less after felling. However, beyond this, there
are a variety of special dates that have clearly noticeable influences on the wood properties.
The following, already quite comprehensive set of rules dates from very old times. The present copy is from
1912. All the rules given in this old document are still valid. They give precise indications of the wood
properties to be achieved in each case.
The rulebook, of course, requires "translation" to become understandable to everyone today. The
explanation follows as well as additional notes.

CHARACTERISTICS FOR WOOD SLAWING AND SWIVELING by Ludwig Weinhold
Written down by Michael Ober, master waggoner in St. Johann, Tyrol - transcribed by Josef Schmutzer on December 25, 1912

01. Turn days are April 3, July 30 and Achazi day, better if selbe still in the waning moon or on
a woman's day.
These days are also good for bullets and shot casting.

02. Chopping wood so that it remains firm and glue is good the first eight days after the new moon in
December, when a soft sign falls on it.
The new moon and the scorpion are to be used to cut wood, beech wood, etc., so that it
remains glue and becomes firm.

03. Wood cutting, that it does not rot, should be the last two days in March in the waning fish.

04. Chopping wood that it does not burn is only one day, which is in the month of March,
even better after sunset, March 1.

05. Cutting wood, so that it does not shrink, should be the third day in autumn. Beginning of
autumn on September 24, when the moon is three days old and on a woman's day, where the
cancer falls on it.

06. Firewood to work that it grows back well shall be in October, in the first quarter
recording moon.

07. Saw wood should be cut in the receiving fish, so the boards do not become wormy, as well as
the timbers.

08. To bridges and arks one shall cut wood in the waning fish or crab.

09. To cut wood, that it becomes small, shall be in Scorpio and in August. Cut in Taurus, if the moon
has decreased one day in August, it remains heavy.

10. To cut wood so that it does not become cloddy or rise shall be done before the new moon in
November.

11. To cut wood that it does not tear, June 24 between 11 and 12 o'clock.

12. Wood for cutting or Machl wood should be cut the 26th of February in the waning moon, even
better, when the Cancer falls on it. These signs are all proven and tried. felled wood does not
grow back, even the root rots.

Turning days, grubbing and thinning
Every commercial forest requires maintenance. Who would like to thin out and clean up a forest or forest
edge, who would like to clear Lind, who pays attention to the Schwendtage (clearing days), after the set of
rules thus on the 3rd April, the 30th July and the Achazitag (22nd June). The result of the work will be even
better if these days fall on the waning moon or on a woman's day. Trees and shrubs cut on these days will
not grow again.
Women's days are Marian holidays such as the Assumption or Candlemas. These days can be found in every
farmer's calendar (like August 15 and September .
Alternative days for grubbing are the last three days of February when they fall on a waning moon.
Tool and furniture wood
Gleim means "as glued", the wood remains firm, does not warp, does not dry apart, retains its volume -
important, for example, for butt edges of floor and table boards. Cut during the first eight days after
DecemberNEUmond in Aquarius or Pisces, you get this quality of wood. The expressions Krechtholz and
Machlholz are no longer in use today. Krechtholz is just, right wood, - wood from which tools and implements
(broom handles, axes) are made. It must be hard, handy and light. Machlholz is wood from which something
is made: pieces of furniture chests, cabinets and the like.
When the NE moon falls on Scorpio, that is, usually in NovemberNE moon, the cut wood has the desired
properties. However, it should be debarked immediately: For the bark beetle, wood felled during Scorpio or
uprooted by a storm is the signal to attack. It then multiplies magnificently and also attacks healthy trees.
The 12th rule here gives February 26 as an equivalent alternative, if it falls on the waning moon. Which is not
always the case, especially when at the same time the moon is in the sign of Cancer.
Non rotting hard wood
Non-rotting wood must be cut during the last two days in March when the moon is waning in the fish. These
days do not occur every year. Therefore, in the past, people paid special attention to them or cut the wood
on alternative days: these are New Year's Day, January 7; January 25; January 31 and February 1 and 2:
wood cut during these six days does not rot and worm. Wood cut on New Year's Day and from January 31 to
February 2 also becomes rock-hard with age. The foundations of Venice's magnificent floating buildings are
probably made of such wood. If they had not been cut on the right day, the grandiose city would probably
have sunk into the water for good. Restoration of the foundations with such wood would be the ideal solution,
because its durability can be judged by the age of the present wood. Any other solution (concrete, steel, etc.)
is unsuitable in the long term. This wood is also suitable for landing stages and high pile buildings.
Alternative days are warm summer days when the moon is waxing: the wood is suitable for pile foundations
in water, for ship pontoons and bathing pontoons. It is in full sap and should be installed immediately.
Non flammable wood
There are certain times whose impulses provide non-combustible wood. Wood cut on March 1, especially
after sunset, resists fire regardless of the position of the moon and the sign that the moon is passing through.
A strange but valid rule. Those who try it will find it confirmed. Many utensils, farm buildings, barns, log
cabins and alpine huts were built in the past with this wood to make them fireproof.
A story about this:
"One house, which burned out completely from the inside in 1980, was made of such wood. The metal of
agricultural equipment in it, was afterwards partially melted, so great was the heat. The building itself
remained standing, the wood was only charred on the outside. When it was to be demolished with a tractor,
the wood did not give way. The house finally had to be sawed off log by log. It turned out that only a few
millimeters of the top layer of wood had been charred, the inside had remained completely untouched.
Some of the wood was subsequently reused in two new buildings."
As an alternative day for cutting fireproof wood, the NEW moon can be considered, but only if it just falls on
the zodiac sign Libra (only once or twice a year): This wood does not shrink and can be processed green,
without drying. Almost equally suitable are the last day before the DecemberNEW moon and the last 48
hours before the MarchNEW moon.
Shrinkage free wood
For many applications it is important that wood does not shrink - that is, that its volume does not decrease.
Such wood is best cut on St. Thomas' Day (December 21) between 11 and 12 o'clock. This day is the best
day for cutting wood. After that, with some exceptions, wood should be cut during the winter only in the
waning moon. Alternatives for cutting non-dwindling wood are the February evenings after sunset in the
waning moon, September 27, monthly the three days after the NEW moon, and women's days (including
August 15 and September when they fall on Cancer. Also, wood cut at the NEW Moon in the sign Libra
does not shrink and can be processed immediately. On top of that, wood cut in February after sunset
becomes rock hard with aging.
Firewood
Despite all this, of course, good combustibility is often a desirable property of wood. On top of that, one does
not always want to clear the whole forest for firewood production, so it would be favorable if the forest grows
back well. The rule says that such firewood is best cut in October in the I quarter of the waxing moon, that is,
during the first seven days after the October new moon. Generally, however, firewood should be cut after the
winter solstice, when the moon is waning The top should not be taken off immediately, and in the mountains
it should lie downhill for some time, because it then draws out the last sap.
Board, saw and construction timber
For boards and saw wood, the time of the waxing moon in Pisces is suitable, because then the boards and
wood are not attacked by pests. The zodiac sign of Pisces appears in the waxing moon only from September
to March.
Bridge - and boat wood
Have you ever walked across a wooden bridge in the rain? You'd do well to hold on tightly to the bridge
railing, so slippery and slippery are they at times. Raft trips can also become endless, sometimes dangerous
slides if the raft wood was cut on the wrong day. Old wooden mountain stream bridges in the Alps, on the
other hand, are sure-footed, do not rot, and seem built to last forever, without any treatment with wood
preservatives.
Every mountain hiker has already experienced that today the Alpine clubs and tourist associations obviously
no longer pay attention to such influences when building wooden bridges. Many a tourist would not have to
be picked up by the mountain rescue service with sprained joints if the rules about the right time to cut wood
were observed more. Wood for bridges, barges and rafts should be cut at waning moon in a water sign
(Pisces or Cancer). It does not rot or
decay and is sure-footed. This rule was also observed in the past when choosing wood for washbasins,
which are constantly
must withstand moisture and should not be slippery. Scorpio is also a water sign, but as a felling time is not
so suitable, because then the wood becomes too light for this purpose and is also susceptible to pest
infestation.
Floor and tool wood
Broom handles and other tool wood should be supple and firm in the hand, not easily broken, flexible and
above all easily low. The best time for such wood are the Scorpio days in August, which are almost always
just before the FULL Moon. If you want it to have the same properties, but remain heavy (for example, for
heavily used wooden floors), choose the first day after FULL moon, when it falls on the zodiac sign Taurus
(does not happen every year).
Tear resistant wood
Wood that should not crack and stop working from the beginning - for example, for furniture and
Carving, is best beaten in the days before the NovemberNEUmond. Equivalent alternatives are March 25,
June 29 and December 31. Timber felled on these three days does not crack or split, but the top must fall
towards the valley, or remain on the tree a little longer on level ground to draw out the last of the sap. Timber
that is to be used quickly, for example after a fire for rapid reconstruction, must not crack later under any
circumstances. The best time to do this is June 24 between 11 u.12 noon (12 - 1 pm daylight saving time!).
In the past, this was a special time: in droves, the lumberjacks moved out and sawed for an hour what the
blade gave. The wood was soon used to make roof trusses and the like. Best bridge wood becomes from it,
if at the same time still NEUmond in the cancer prevails.
Christmas trees
Firs, cut three days before the eleventh FULL moon of the year (usually in November, but sometimes in
December), retain their needles for a very long time. In the past, these trees received a lunar stamp from the
forester and were somewhat more expensive than the other Christmas trees. Spruces also do not needle
then, but should be stored in a cool place until Christmas. Nevertheless, they lose their needles earlier than
firs.
Of course, you can't always get your Christmas tree cut exactly three days before the eleventh FULL moon.
Therefore, still the note that Christmas trees and flower arrangements also last longer and needle less quickly,
if generally the waxing moon is observed as a date.
Also, dry arrangements of flowers that are suitable for drying, picked when the moon is waxing, have a greater
shelf life.
Save sick trees
All trees that no longer want to grow, take care of or are diseased, can be successfully treated in
most cases, if you take care of them during the waning moon - in the 4th quarter or at the
best to remove the tip at NEUmond, or several branch tips from the crown in deciduous trees. The tip should
be removed in each case just above a side branch, which is suitable as a new tip when it grows upwards