What effect does a decrease in wetted pores have on wood drying?

A decrease in wetted pores during the drying process of wood can lead to cracking due to internal stresses. When wood dries, moisture is lost from the surface inward, and if the outer layers dry more quickly than the inner layers, tension builds up within the wood. This is exacerbated when the pore spaces, which hold the moisture, decrease in size or number, leading to a rapid drop in moisture content in those areas. The inner layers still contain moisture, creating a disparity that can result in stress and ultimately cause cracking.

The other choices focus on effects that do not directly relate to the mechanical consequences of drying. For instance, improved moisture retention contradicts the goal of drying, while uniform drying is unlikely to occur if wetted pores are reduced too quickly. The lack of impact on wood drying does not align with the fundamental principles of how moisture content affects the physical properties of wood.