mine were at least 4-5 times longer then wide, and the split went all the
way from the outside to the center. it looked pretty, but I didnt like the
idea of giving it that much invitation to go flying around the shop.

If they are longer than the log is wide, then you can leave it whole. For a
12" wide log, I'd want the length to be at least 16-18" long for instance.
It'll split on the ends and you'll just trim those off when you make your
bowl blank. However, it takes MUCH longer to dry this way rather than just
splitting it down the middle. Splitting it down the middle (or even
quartering it if you have enough wood there to make something with the
resulting quarters) increases the chances of fewer splits/cracks/checks
than otherwise.

- Andrew



so would that be a yes or a no to leave them whole?