This is a deceptively simple question.

Historically, buildings were less well insulated and far from airtight, so timbers that were locked together were allowed to dry slowly in situ. Many's the contemporary timberframer who has put up a frame in the Fall, slammed on the stress skins and turned up the furnace so that the rest of the trades could work indoors for the winter (and so that the homeowner could get out from under that bridge loan and into the house and a mortgage as soon as possible.)

This haste has generated all manner of tales about loud and violent checking (especially in low-quality timber) and prodigious amounts on moisture forming on the inside of the windows (especially)and upon every other hard surface. This is less of an immediate problem when an air to air heat exchanger has been installed (as many contemporary timberframers recommend). Still, the timbers do seem to twist and check more in houses that are tight and heated right after the frame goes up.

To combat this, some timberframers have invested heavily in salvage wood (a by-product of the Malling of America). Heavy timber of excellent quality can be found in the framing systems of old industrial buildings. Also various drying technologies are turning up the heat, so to speak, on fresh-sawn timbers. One effective method combines microwaves and a vacuum dehumidifier in large reinforced steel caverns.

None of this comes without an upcharge, and some suggest that there is a political and enviornmental cost, as well. Salvage and kiln-dried timbers are always more expensive than fresh-sawn; harder to find, harder to cut, etc., and there is almost always a much higher waste factor, as well.

Hope this helps.