Depends on how you ask- A friend's father in law cut the tree and produced roughly an 8x8 timber that sat for around 4 years, and we trued it, and did all the rest. As if hedge isn't indestructible enough, the axle channel (gouge) is pretty much centered, with the growth rings curling around it, which translated mean that if/when it dries further, the wood will actually clamp the steel, making it stronger.
I figured that if my grandkids want to take it apart, they'll have to burn it to get it out!