First, I try to get them fully kiln dried as possible from the lumber yard. Then once they are cut and ready for installation, they get a complete soaking of Benite pre-treatment wood conditioner (roller or brush on) and stain (on every surface).

This tends to seal the wood from absorbing moisture and then releasing it in the direct sun. It looks like the sun beats directly on that post. It may have had a microscopic hairline fracture to begin with, and the rain and sun have done what nature does...reclaim the wood.

 

Just another reason to avoid notching deck posts.

 

I'm positive it would have happened, notched or not.

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll just be wrapping posts from now on.

 

Looks pretty normal to me.
They aren't going to fall apart.
Just re-stain them.
Wood checks, big wood checks more.

 

Those timbers are probably heart-center, that is, the bullseye is right in the center of the post. Get FOHC (free of heart center) next time and you'll have alot less checking and splitting.

 

I don't know about you Joe, but it is getting harder and harder to ge FOHC lumber.

 

Our yellow pine all comes
from trees just a tad larger
than the finished lumber.

 

Those are 6 x 6? Anyhow, checks happen.

 

They are, and it's a 2x8 top rail.

 

Win, I have gone to wrapping all the posts on my projects. I use two 2x4s lamed with construstion adhesive set inside the frame. Cuting the decking around them dosent have to be all that close the sleave covers it. Also its a nice look I dont miter the corners and put the 3 1/2'' side to catch the rail system. J.

 

Perfectly normal.

 

6x6s are like rear ends, just because they have a crack doesn't mean they're broken.:laughing:

 

:laughing::laughing: