Hi Paul;
I am not experienced with trying to control the rate of drying using high humidity. What you are doing sounds like a perfect way to grow mildew, which may not matter in your situation.
Interesting to hear there are lots of powder post beatles (PPBs) in your area. Just this winter I learned to kill these beatles by applying tupentine to the timbers. I have not tried it but it is nice to know a traditional way to deal with these bugs. The only way to keep them from re-infesting is to seal the pores such as by painting or coating the wood with wax or some other finish. These techniques do not work for me, but it's nice to know. PPBs seem to like humid environments and the sapwood of ash, hickory and oak more than other types of wood.
What kind of oak do you have?
Jim
