Is the desirable seasoning effect more noticeable in darker (with more resins) woods?
CAUTION: the following paragraph contains one big wild ass guess.
Perhaps there is a moisture level (or some other condition) that is optimal for the resins to saponify? I have observed that you can force dry (evaporate volatiles) in resins used in finishes, but "dry" is not always the same as properly cured. Perhaps we can learn how to season staves more effectively by controlling conditions for ideal seasoning. Once we bring moisture levels down enough to prevent deterioration, perhaps there is an ideal R.H. or temperature to hold at for some time before a final reduction to the finished M.C.? Maybe some other physical condition we can control will help the resins reach the desired state sooner?
As Pat observed, scientific proof is scarce about seasoning or quantifying its affects, however as I consider experience to be the best teacher, I would like to ask if any body has any "do's" or "don'ts" about the methods they use to season, that they would like to share?