Yeah, Big country. Don't get me wrong--black locust is awesome. It just has it's certain demands like any wood. The way I do it is this--split out your stave, but leave the bark and everything on the back for a couple months. Then, take off the bark and decide if you are going to let the 'ol boy dry out slow somewhere like a barn, or if you want to try to hurry him up and move him to the house or something. But do not try to hurry him too much, even if you seal everything. Hickory, ash and some others you can push along but at least in my experience I have found BL will not like you for it. If you are going to bring him in the house, coat the ends, and back very well, ESPECIALLY if you are going to take off the sapwood at this point (after about the 2 months) and DON'T apply too much heat to him. Sit him under a bed or in closet, but I would not recommend above a stove or anything like that.
