Drying cottonwood - how to seal the ends?

[opticsguy]

Here in Washington State, my "forest" has few large trees except cottonwood.  I needed some "big" slabs for an upcoming project.  So, yesterday I cut 16 slabs 2" thick x 22" wide x 6 feet long.  Cottonwood can very easily split at the ends when drying.  My friend recommended latex paint for a seal. I was thinking more of an oil based paint.
So, what is recommended as an end seal for Cottonwood? These slabs are already stacked and sticker-ed. 
Thank you.   

[Tom the Sawyer]

Cottonwood can split easily on the ends.  I would double-coat the ends with AnchorSeal and make sure that your stickers are as close to the ends of the boards as possible, yet still in line vertically.

[bkaimwood]

X2...water based can bleed into the wood, oil based is slightly better, but anchorseal is best...I know lots of guys who use the first two with no complaints, no problems...wood isn't cheap, neither are the slabs you have, so a couple bucks extra at best for the right product would be, and is my choice...

[jtflynn]

Anchorseal 

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

The sooner the better.  Ttry covering the ends with burlap while waiting for the Anchorseal to arrive.  Note that some ended checking is due to stress which coating does not control.

[opticsguy]

Could not find any Anchor Seal locally. So will need to order.  In the mean time, how about Thompson's water seal?  I know it is just thinner and paraffin mix.
Will this product work for week or two or three? I have a 5 gallon supply and have no other use for this product.
Oh, by the way, what is Anchor seal made of???
Thanks for everyone's replies, I learn a lot here!!

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

The Thompson product will not work for this use.  Anchorseal is put on to form a thick coating.

[landscraper]

Hey Opticsguy,

I have family out on Lopez a little southwest of you, and used to have some down in Port Townsend too.

Good luck on the cottonwood.  The opinions range on the benefits of anchorseal, there is another thread discussing it right now.  I believe it is a paraffin wax emulsion. 

I use wax sealant on some of the wood products I saw, not others.  Depends on the intended use and proclivity for splitting/cracking.  I know nothing about cottonwood, so I would defer to the folks who do.