How do you keep the moisture in a log

[alsayyed]

Hello I have this question which is cannot find complete solution for this small problem.
Normally when a tree is been cut people tend to seal both side with especial sealer or maybe they place paint. My question.
1 - How many days/month normally takes to log to start cracks from inside?
2- Do you think it advisable to spry water daily on the log in order to keep it filled with moisture?
What is the best method to keep the log wet without sealing it?
Thank you

[Radar67]

Around here, the mills either place the logs in holding ponds or set sprinkler systems up on them.

Stew

[WDH]

I would not wet the log unless you keep it constantly and totally wet.  Otherwise, occasional wetting will only serve to create a perfect environment for decay.  If you keep the log constantly and totally wet like Stew says in a pond or under sprinklers, you create anaerobic conditions where there is not enough oxygen for the bugs and fungus (that degrade the wood) to survive.

[metalspinner]

How many days/month normally takes to log to start cracks from inside?

Around here in the summer, an oak log will start to split within a few hours.  I seal them as soon as possible after bucking to length.

[dboyt]

What kind of log?  Light color wood, especially softwoods pick up blue stain in a couple of weeks, if you don't cut & dry them.  As far as cracking, I put on a coat of anchorseal on the ends of the good stuff (walnut & cherry).  I don't worry so much about oak, though I probably should.  Good idea not to leave logs laying around in the summer.

[metalspinner]

One other thing I try to do is have the log ends facing north and south.  The ends that face west crack like crazy even with the ends sealed.

[bedway]

I read an article this morning that said that grey roof sealer/water proofer works nearly as good as the expensive stuff, for much less cost,,bedway

[Dan_Shade]

one nice thing about the wax emulsions (at least the clear ones), is that it allows you to look for the heart/pith and saw to that.  You can't see the growth rings with the roof coatings.

[WDH]

Excellent point, Dan.  I have used aluminum roofing paint, and it does a great job, but you lose all ability to see the growth rings on the cross-sectional ends of the log.  I now use Anchorseal.

[scsmith42]

The other nice thing about using Anchorseal versus paint, etc is that it doesn't hide the tell-tale black spots on the butt that indicate metal in the log...

[bedway]

Excellent points you all bring up about the roof coating vrs. anchorseal. Being the novice here, i like and appreciate the education,,  ,,bedway

[mdvaden]

The other nice thing about using Anchorseal versus paint, etc is that it doesn't hide the tell-tale black spots on the butt that indicate metal in the log...

How far from metal can the spots extend? Makes sense, but I don't run into that enough to know. Just curious, since I'm mainly into pruning.

[Dan_Shade]

the black spots can go several feet, not sure how many, though.