In article k6q6d.135006$%S.91032@pd7tw2no,
"Tom Storey" wrote:

I have been given a piece of green birch measuring about 4' long and about
16" in diameter. It is one heavy sucker! I have a Jet Mini and I would like
advice on how to best section the log to preserve it and then prepare it for
turning bowls. I do have a chain saw, thank goodness!

If you don't have use for it soon then I'd seal the ends with a green
wood sealer like Anchorseal or a wood working store's private label
version. At least two to three coats ought to suffice and then store out
of direct weather and sun, off the ground. Don't pull off the bark
unless you suspect bugs are finding their way to the wood beneath.

If you'd like to use it soon, then I'd cut the log into (4) 12"
sections. Then I'd halve each section, yielding (8) 16"x12"x8" blanks
and seal the ends on these. You may get minor checking of the endgrain
if you don't get adequate sealer coverage, but that won't likely cause
you problems since you're going to have to further trim these down to 9"
diameter blanks for use. Then store the blanks out of direct weather and
sunlight - I just pile them up in a corner of my unheated and
uninsulated garage.

Some folks leave the log as whole as possible and hack off what they
need as they need it, but I'd rather fire up the chainsaw as
infrequently as possible - too, I'd rather not have to keep applying the
end sealer to the freshly exposed end.

I believe what ever method you choose, the key is to seal and protect
the wood from the effects of direct weather and ground exposure.