Remzy, To answer your question, yes. I most often paint the ends with what ever I have on hand most times it's just some leftover paint. Cheap white glue thinned with a little water seems to work good too. I've never used wax but it would be good. Anything to slow the moisture evaporation would work.
Here is what I have found out over the years. Early winter cut staves don't check very badly at all. If they are cut a few inches longer than needed, then the checks can be cut off each end after they have seasoned with no treatment at all. The reason for this is the sap is already down, and they lose moisture slower through the winter. By the time warm weather arrives, they have already lost enough moisture to avoid heavy checking.
