Christmas in April?

[Toney Robertson]

A friend of mine played Santa and delivered this to me.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/iublue/Cedar.jpg

It is from a cedar tree that he cut down in his yard. Now I have got to get it cut into sections and sealed. After I cut sections to length, is it good enough to slice through the pith or is that too risky and I should take the pith out entirely?

Any suggestions on how to cut up the following.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/iublue/Chunkofwood2.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/iublue/Chunkofwood1.jpg

That chunk is about 3 feet in diameter and about 4 1/2 feet long.

Thanks,

Toney

[Thomas Bennett]

Stay away from the cracks..noted in red. Looks like a fun peice!

[Robert McGowen]

My best guess with cedar is that it is going to crack no matter what you do. I would seal the ends and leave the logs just as they are. Cut off what you need as you go and then reseal the freshly cut end. Have fun!

[Toney Robertson]

Stay away from the cracks..noted in red. Looks like a fun peice!

Thanks Thomas.

A diagram, what more can I ask for. Now that is helpful!

Looks like a good plan to me. Time to crank up the Stihl.

Toney

[Toney Robertson]

My best guess with cedar is that it is going to crack no matter what you do. I would seal the ends and leave the logs just as they are. Cut off what you need as you go and then reseal the freshly cut end. Have fun!

Cedar is that reactive?

Good thing the wood is free. All I will have wasted is some time, electricity, gas and Anchorseal!

Thanks,

Toney

[Allen Neighbors]

I'd cut that large chunk as Thomas suggests, and after the blanks are cut out, I'd seal the entire blank with anchor seal.
That blue stain is going to be good, I think.
The other logs, I'd seal the ends and about 3 inches up the bark (loose peeled off first). Then I'd store them out of the sun and elements.
(Be careful when sanding, due to heat checking.)