Splits in stem, what to do?

[Poecheng]

So far it is putty, linseed oil, bacon fat, tallow and grease

Chilli powder ?:encouragement:

 

[Capt Popeye]

Not wanting to pour oil on troubled waters but is the reference to a crack in the timber perhaps a bit misleading, is it not a' 'shake' which is a result of drying out and ageing not damage to the timber so best to fill with really soft filer to allow the timber to 'take up' if it can ?

Just thoughts on the matter this early in morn exacerpated by clock changes