Handling greenwood prior to turning?

[Charlie Harley]

My parents have a large wooded farm with enough hardwood to keep me and mine turning for several generations. A teacher at a turning class showed us how to cut greenwood to get it ready for spindles and bowls. Unfortunately, he didn't tell us what to do if the wood was going to be stored for several months prior to turning. The farm is a few hours away so I cut up a fresh deadfall and brought home quite a bit of wood which is now on shelves.

Any advice?

Should the bark be removed to facilitate drying?

What can be done to prevent the end grain from drying quicker and checking? Should they be painted or coated in wax to allow moisture to escape only through the sides?

Should the whole piece be dipped in wax prior to storage?

Can the wood be stored in the garage with all its temperature and moisture swings?

Any special ways the wood should be stacked?

All help is much appreciated.

 

[PapaDoc]

Charlie, the first thing to do is to send 10% of your wood to me in Atlanta. I am not sure how this works, but many people have found it beneficial.
Seriously, you will get some great advice from folks here that is superior to my limited knowledge. But the sure thing to do is put some kind of sealer on the endgrain where severe cracking can occur quickly. I use Anchorseal but there are a variety of other products that work well. You are a lucky man my friend. Enjoy your resource.

 

[Frank Kobilsek]

Charlie,

First leave logs as long as you can handle them. Shorter logs should be split through the pith or better yet saw out a slab down the middle of the log to remove the pith. Coat the end grain and a couple inches up with one of the wax like green wood sealers. Several coats of paint will work too but more work and mess. I like to store inside, garage and pole barn, others stack outside protected from rain and sun. Protection should not be a tarp were you just solarize the logs. Well prepared and protected logs will keep indefinately but it seems silly not to at least see if its worth keeping within a year, a self imposed rule I violate monthly. Mark logs for source, species and date it was cut and turn something for the property owner kind of like a tip.

Good luck, get used to parking your car or truck outside. When I met Jeff Jilg our Forum moderator at the Symposium that was his turners test question posed to my wife "How long since your car has been parked in the garage?"

Frank