Need some advice guys, got engaged earlier this year and as we began planning the wedding we decided upon wooden coasters as party favors for the guests. I would like to make them from a pine or cedar tree trunk about 3 to 4 inches across and maybe 1/2 inch thick. Beyond cutting the tree down what would be my best course of action to have the fewest cookies lost to cracking but still be dry and ready within 18 months? The tree will come from my family farm where I have a large amount of the trees to choose from plus space to dry them inside of storage buildings.