50 year old air dried cedar

[Grampa_Joe]

I've been just muddling along with my new mill and having pretty good luck, but now I'm stumped. I have been cutting old cedar poles which are up to 30" on the big end. They have been in the ground for 50 years. We took them out and they have been on an above ground bunk for about a year.I cut some really nice boards but in about 3 days I get checks or splits in the ends for about 6". What gives? I thought about stresses but nothing lifts or moves when I'm sawing. And I haven't taken them in to a totally different environment. What can I do beyond sawing them longer, which is my solution right now?

[LeeB]

both ends or just the end that was in tthe ground? try end sealing with ancorseal or some other such sealer. LeeB