Replies

1. 
   ring | Jan 08, 2010 11:39pm | #1

   Whether or not the bark will stay on is a matter of what species it is. In some cases the bark will just start to fall off no matter what you do. But in any case, the bark is the greatest invitation to insect infestation. Start by fumigating whoever is already living there. If the bark starts falling off as it dries, there's no stopping it, and you can peel it all off. There's also no way you can keep the wood from splitting as it dries. What CAN be done is to bandsaw (if you've got one big enough) a kerf from the perimeter in to the center of the log, and thereby decide WHERE that pie-shaped opening will be. You should also paint the ends of the piece to prevent it from drying too fast.

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Jan 09, 2010 12:30am | #2

   I think that bringing a just-cut tree trunk inside to a dry environment will only encourage cracking. Cracking/checking occurs when the wood dries at different rates (the outside dries faster than the inside). To reduce cracking, a good strategy would be to remove the pith (center) of the stump. There is a turner who makes massive vases (upwards of 6' tall and 2' diameter) from solid wood that don't crack because he removes the pith right away. I read that in an article on the internet somewhere - if anyone remembers, I'd like to read the article again and bookmark it!

3. 
   DonStephan | Jan 09, 2010 08:20pm | #3

   There is extended and very interesting discussion of this situation in "Understanding Wood" by R. Bruce Hoadley. If not relieved with a bandsaw cut, it almost certainly will crack, possibly suddenly and violently, potentially launching an attached top and/or destroying it in the process. Probably would be a popular youtube (sp?) video, but you'd have to record continuously until it happens.

1. 
   twotone | Jan 12, 2010 07:55pm | #5

   I guess I should have consulted my library first as I do actually own a copy of "Understanding Wood". I'll let you know if any interesting youtube video comes out of this.

   Thanks

4. 
   twotone | Jan 12, 2010 07:53pm | #4

   As always,

   thanks for the replies. I'll pass the information on. What about varnishing it? Wait until it dries and reacts the way it is going to or varnish it right away?

1. 
   DHAM | Jan 13, 2010 10:11am | #6

   Seal the ends with anchorseal. UC Coatings is the company that makes it, and they now sell it by the quart and gallon. It is far and away the best stuff to end-seal logs to slow down the drying and minimize end checks. I also agree that a big chunk of wood like you describe will crack. Slow drying is key. It should be dried outside under cover; let nature do her thing.