cedar fence logs split- what do you fill the gap with?

[robertmaasjr]

My yellow cedar logs have split as they dried. Some splits are two inches deep and .5 inch wide and extend for 7 ft. What is an economical way to seal them. I could fill with sand/sawdust and than seal over with something? They split on the side that faces the sun. I plan on rotating them so the good side faces out , hoping the good side does not also split when exposed to direct sun

[Fly-by-Night CC]

There's not a whole lot you can do about the splits at this point. (Actually there may not have been a whole lot you could have done to prevent them no matter when you took action. As the logs dried and lost internal moisture, the outter ring areas contracted in circumference much more than the inner rings - the stresses had to be relieved and the wood split toward the pith.) Filling them in with anything ridgid will fail because the wood is constantly swelling or shrinking to some degree with seasonal humidity and temperature swings. You might get away with a flexible sealer, but it sounds rather if-y at best and ugly at worst.

Turning them over is probably the best solution. They shouldn't crack on the clean side since the wood has already relieved the tensions of drying by splitting initially. Turning the splits downward will probably do a great deal for their longevity too - it'll keep moisture from collecting deep within the crack and promoting rot and bugs.

If you are hell-bent on putting something on them, then I suppose a deck preservative/protectant would be best. Flood it into the cracks as well as fully coat the outsides.

That's my 2¢.

[robertmaasjr]

thanks for the comprehensive answer? I'll turn them to see how it looks. :)