log ends splitting

[Joey Grimes]

I've been getting some treelength walnut and cherry fresh cut butts will not show any checks or splits when I buck logs to length for sawing before I can get anchorseal to seal ends they are almost splitting into quarters withen 10 minutes particularly cherry.what am I doing wrong I know it would be better in winter when sap is down

[Seaman]

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Those are the same two I have a lot of trouble with, all stress in the log I think. Just cut accordingly.
Frank

[Magicman]

You are not doing anything wrong.  Some species such as Cherry are "born" with pith checks.  Your job as a sawyer is to orient the log for sawing so that these natural "defects" do not follow you into the lumber stage.  LINK

[deadfall]

Sometimes when I'm bucking alder or cherry logs I can hear the log pop over the noise the the chainsaw.

[Joey Grimes]

Looks like the only way to saw around splits would be to quatersaw. Would only cutting in winter reduce chances of splitting in cherry?

[Magicman]

Personally I disagree with QS.  My customers prefer the flat sawn look plus there is too much loss with QS.

You can not prevent pith check in Cherry.  It is natural.

[Ron Wenrich]

There isn't that strong of a market for quartersawn cherry or walnut.  You might be able to find enough of a market if you don't have that much.  Quartersawn is most popular in the species that will give ray fleck or some other distinguishing feature. 

You can minimize splits by log orientation.  Put the splits on the edge of log so they can be sawn out with the edging.  You'll end up turning more than normal to maximize your yield.