The seasoning of timber is required to:
Why "Dry" Wood?
When a tree is first cut, its wood is saturated with water and sap. This "green" timber is heavy, weak, and unstable. If used in this state, it will shrink, warp, and crack as it dries out over time. Seasoning is the controlled process of drying the timber to a suitable moisture content (typically 10-12%) before it is used. This makes the wood stable and enhances its properties.
📝 Detailed Analysis of the Options
(a) Soften the timber
This is incorrect. The process of removing water and sap actually makes the wood fibers more compact and rigid, resulting in harder timber.
(b) Harden the timber
This is a correct result of seasoning, but it is not the primary action or purpose. The timber gets harder *because* the sap is removed. Therefore, this is a secondary effect, not the fundamental requirement itself.
(c) Straighten the timber
This is incorrect. Seasoning helps to *prevent* future bending and warping, but it does not straighten a piece of timber that is already crooked.
(d) Remove sap from the timber
This is the correct answer. This statement describes the fundamental process and primary purpose of seasoning. The term "seasoning" is synonymous with drying or removing the moisture (sap) from the wood cells. All other benefits—increased hardness, strength, durability, and stability—are direct consequences of this action.
📊 Green Timber vs. Seasoned Timber
| Property | Fresh (Green) Timber | Seasoned Timber |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture/Sap Content | Very high (100-200%) | Low (10-12%) |
| Strength & Hardness | Low | High |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Durability | Low (Prone to rot & insect attack) | High |
| Stability | Unstable (will warp & shrink) | Stable |
💡 Study Tips
- Seasoning = Drying: The simplest way to remember is that seasoning is just a technical term for drying wood.
- Action vs. Result: Differentiate between the action (removing sap) and the results (hardening, strengthening). The question asks for the requirement, which is the action itself.
- Think of a Wet Sponge: A wet sponge is heavy, soft, and floppy. A dry sponge is light, hard, and rigid. Timber behaves in a similar way.