Mauser,

Sorry so long to return, we leave the 'puter off on weekends and holidays.

Heartwood is simply the compressed inner rings of dead wood, whether located within the trunk or at the apical branches.

For drying, the keys are as follows:

1) leave the bark on. This actually retains the moisture---yeah, I know, this is sorta' backwards. But by retaining the moisture, the water must evaporate out the ends of the branch, instead of along the longitudinal axis (the shaft).

2) dry the branches on end. Again, this is not the norm, but this ensures that the water leaves via the ends and not through the length of the wood. I try to cut anywhere from 6 to 12 three foot lengths of branch, tie them together with some twine/wire, then stand out in my shed.

3) dry at a low temperature. You're stock is splitting because your drying your woods at too high a temperature. Your not at kiln temperature, but your warm enough to force water out. Therefore, the water is taking the easiest/fastest route, which is along the length of the wood.

IN summary, leave the bark on, stand on end, and dry at a low or constant temperature. It would be better to dry them out in your garage, wood shed, or basement. They will take longer to dry, but they will dry more consistently, which will decrease warpage, shrinkage and should all but eliminate cracking.

Hope this helps.


S&R