Some up coming projects on the list.  One of the neighbors I just made a deal with on some trimmings wound up coming through this afternoon so this should be interesting wood to work with.  The smaller chunks is Cherry wood I believe and the larger piece is Plum wood so that should be an interesting piece to turn.  Fortunately I don't think I'll have to do too much work with it on the band saw and I should be able to turn it down to a nice bowl as it is with out too much work into it.  So any thoughts on these.   Nice thing was he only charged me about 20 bucks for everything.  Probably bringing more as well.

Get those ends sealed! Latex paint, old wood glue, melted wax or whatever you have handy. The wood will start to check almost immediately 

Got the ones that I thought I could work with covered in old wood glue....  They just need to dry over night and they will or should have a good seal.  Unfortunately I wont be able to use all of them I don't have enough glue for that.  How ever I saved the ones that were a definate the other ones not sure maybe I'll just use them as smoker wood.  Since the small chunks are all cherry wood after all.

After sealing the end grain, I would get them on the bandsaw and remove that pith.  That sucker will cause it to seriously check.  Great score, BTW.

Wound up getting more today paid 5 bucks for 5 pieces and they are about the perfect size as well this time its Birch wood.  So I'm quite happy with this.  Yep got them sealed as well.