The steps it takes to get a live tree to useable wood is a lot more than most people know. There are several steps to properly make wood useable. So it basically pans out like this it starts as the log and which there are several different types of wood a lot of experienced people that work with wood can simply tell them apart by the bark's looks, so you start by making your cuts to size as you intend to use it, may take several cuts at times to get what size and shape you are looking for. Before you even do that it’s a good idea to paint the ends with latex paint in which you will want to do again after done with cuts. The idea behind the latex paint is to keep the moisture from the wood from leaving too fast you can only get wood down to a % of no lower than 12% without what they call a kiln https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_drying 6% is ideal and will take a kiln to get it to that point. Also, how are you to know the levels of moister in your wood, I always suggest a wood moisture meter. https://www.pce-instruments.com/us/measuring-instruments/test-meters/wood-moisture-meter-kat_151728_1.htm There is a lot more to know than most people think about wood and what it takes to make wood beauty! http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-and-moisture/ http://www.finewoodworking.com/2007/08/13/how-to-dry-lumber
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