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I built a canoe out of some reclaimed 100 yr old Douglas fir from a turn of the (last) century farm silo and kiln dried it before I milled and B/C the strips. The drying stabilized the wood, killed any/all bugs and organisms and made milling a breeze. I had no problems bending or fitting the strips - some with heat. Uniformity and consistency are the key benefits. I would kiln dry again in a similar situation. I have enough left over to make a kayak, which I am planning to do this winter. This material is straight grained, some fire grain, and is aging to a nice mellow reddish color with the epoxy that is just not possible with 'modern' lumber. If you do this, be prepared for a truly one-of-a-kind result.