I tied some gum saplings into crooks, but then sold the house (and yard where they were growing) so now that's over.

I've never sealed any walking sticks, since i don;t care wheteher they crack or not. I do like to cut them in the spring or summer when the sap's up, since i think the stick stays springier after it dries. I don't know if that's true; I just think it is.