I was recently given a little over 100 bdft of 8/4 cherry that I believe was kiln dried improperly. Most of it is warped (hence why I think it's case hardened). I just moved it into my shop so I figured I would wait a few weeks before checking it. The wood has been sitting inside an unheated shed for at least 15 years. I know this because the mill it was bought from closed back in 2008. I helped remove it from the shed so I know how it was stored. It was not stacked on top of each other and was up in the rafters. I'm guessing by now the moisture in the wood has equalized by now.
I've seen a test that will tell if it's case hardened where a section of the wood is cut into a U shape. If the 'legs' move in different directions then it's a sign of case hardening. Is there another test? Of course it could be just from natural stresses in the log. Either way after sitting so long what are the odds that once I start to mill it the wood isn't going to move? While the lumber is 10' to 12' long I figured I would only make stuff 2' and shorter with it.