My neighbor cut one down two yrs ago and gave it to me,well I put it in plastic bags to take back up to NC with me,but didn't have room.So when I returned last year (6 mo) later I looked in the bags and had some of the most beautifull spaulted wood I have seen.I got some fantastic bowls from it.Loved turning it very easy to work with,with no spliting or warping at all.It had been down
about 8 mos before turning it.