5" Sleeper Splits?

[jhp]

Howdo all.

I've begun a project to retain my backyard using steels planted in the ground and 5" railway sleepers placed between.

Bought some sleepers (new tanalised ones) and I've noticed a fair few have developed splits. Is this normal? And if so, how can I best prevent it?

The only thing done to the sleepers so far is that they've been cut by chainsaw at the dealers, then I've dobbed some Creosote substitute on the exposed end.

Thanks

John

 

[Thermo]

normal for sleepers to split as they dry. if the splits are really bad reject them

 

[jhp]

Cheers, Thermo.

Problem is they weren't split when I brought them home. Is there anything I can put on in future to prevent it?

 

[Thermo]

njo. wood will do what it wants

 

[jhp]

Ok I'll accept that. As a final question while I'm picking brains, is there anything which can be applied afterwards to disguise the splits?

 

[sjroberts1]

see if you can put some compost or earth in them and find some sort of plant to go in them

 

[imamartian]

wood splits, it is its natural look, why would you want to change that unless it was structurally unsound?