Keith Newton
Dale, I started to suggest using some end-grain cuts of something really absorbent, like cypress, or water tupelo root, but didn't think about catalpa. I have a big log laying out back, which has been there since 03, without any end coating, yet it never showed the slightest end checking.

Hardly any sapwood, yet,, it would still send off sprouts whenever it rained for several years after harvesting it. It is truly a shame that it doesn't make a good straight saw-log, it could probably give teak a run for the big money.