Ordinary latex paint is sufficient, just paint it on very liberally. In some respects walnut is much easier to dry than most other domestic woods. It dries perfectly well in the log, whereas most other woods will check and crack like crazy. The rule of thumb for air drying wood is to allow one year of drying for each inch of thickness. Two inches = two years. Just keep it stickered and loosely covered and it'll turn out great. If you decide to use it for furniture, you'll be delighted by the colors - purples, reds and greens show up that are steamed out in commercial drying processes.

Good luck. bruce in mn

: Having known this woman for 30 years I have collected more walnuts than the
: Planters Peanut and frankly am tired of explaining my strange skin
: condition to people(Why ARE your hands that color)and as I said I am happy
: to cut the thing down.Your advice was helpful. Thank you for the tip on
: coating the ends to prevent cracking. Anything special or just paint?Your
: tips on allowing for shrinkage are appreciated also as I know little of
: this sort of thing.Ido know that one large piece of it is going over my
: fireplace.I am not really anticipating selling any of the wood,I've
: already used it for a hundred things(in my mind)but thanks again for the
: advice.