About 5 years ago, I bought 3 maple logs about 5 ft long and 20-24 in dia. Sealed the ends and put them outside for 2 years, hoping for some spalting or other grain enhancement. Chain sawed the largest one in cross cut slabs about 4" think, cut on about a 30 deg angle. Sawmilled the others a heavy 6/4, then airdried for about 2 years. The slabs were dried in a make shift dehumidification tent for a cfew weeks, then air dried for about 2 years. Was very surprised that none of the slabs ever split, don't really know why.
Last year I completed this table and chairs. The base of the table and the chair backs are steel pipe. The black lines in the table top are epoxy resin, tinted black. Finish is Boiled Linseed Oil followed with a General Finishes oil base top coat.
First time I have taken a project from tree to finish and had the patience to see it through.