A good few years ago I was given a well seasoned decent sized branch of willow that was no use for making cricket bats (two branch nodes in it). Turned beautifully (so light on the lathe so you can really turn at speed) - cut well into a tall hollow vessel, took a finish, lovely grain where the nodes were... did it all in one session as it was very dry (so I thought). Brought it indoors so I could sit and admire it - like you do when something really looks how you wanted it to. The following morning ... split almost top to bottom with a 1/4" gap at the top of the split !! The joys of turning end grain branch wood ?... No photos ... it went on the fire., some things I prefer to forget.
I would, probably, now, fill the crack and make it a feature but .. too late.
I would, probably, now, fill the crack and make it a feature but .. too late.