Ok... there is a lot to this. Simply put, you are cutting thicker slabs and of a harder wood. Both make it difficult to dry easily. Stack the wood in area that will only get a light air movement thru them. Also don't let the sun directly on them, or put them in a heated area to begin with. Cover the pile(only on top) to keep the sun and rain off. Coat the ends of each piece with a sealer. Center cut pieces will ALWAYS crack. Sometimes your better off dealing with doing something else with those pieces. Put your stickers about 20" apart.Make sure the sticks are uniform otherwise the pieces will get more deformed as they dry. Make sure they are placed on top of each other as you build the pile. Get a sticker on each end. The weight of the pile as it gets bigger helps pinch the ends much like you are trying to do with the straps. If using straps they will need to be tighten frerquently as the pile dries and shrinks, thus stapling would be a problem. And yes, weight the pile with around 500#, the more the better. I usually take a stack that has dried for a awhile( and thus stabilized) and put it on top of the green one. Lots more to it, but this might give you a fighting chance and avoid basic pitfalls.
