Well Will, we are doing straw bale so I don't need a flat face for cladding etc... I'm lost. Am I postponing or am I slowing? What is the goal again? Doesn't slowing help? or if the checking is inevitable in the long run, then why bother? Doesn't throwing the logs in a pond (as suggested) just postpone? I'm not concerned with appearances. I don't mind a very rustic look so long as the oak posts are structurally sound.
What I am hearing is that to control checking, I need to do some type of cutting on the wood, flattening one side, or making a kerf or boring up the middle and anything else I am doing to slow the drying is just delaying the inevitable. OK, that makes sense if true.
I guess I could hire a sawyer to come up and flatten one side if it will keep my posts structurally sound.
thanks
