I'm a brand new turner with a Jet Mini 1014 belt driven lathe.

I just received a couple of pieces of Mulberry.. I'm assuming it is Fruitless Mulberry as that is what is somewhat common in the area.  The pieces are wet and have very minimal cracking at this point at the end grain.  The pieces are about 3' long and about 6" in diameter.  Heartwood is about 2"+ in diameter. One piece is about the same length and has a crotch.  If it is considered a decent wood to turn.. (is it?), I have a few questions...

First.. Should I leave it as longer pieces or cut them into pieces that are long enough to make goblets or small bowls and seal the ends and stack for a few months or so?

Second.. suggestions for sealing?  I have a lot of interior latex paint.. or would going to a craft store and purchasing blocks of wax for making candles be better?

The other wood I have been promised is from a newly downed tree is supposed to be Japanese Elm.  Do you know about this wood?  Good to turn?  If so, I'm guessing there is a lot available.  Also guessing I should treat it as above with some end grain sealant.

Thanks for any advice.

Mulberry turns well, very hard. If dry, extremely hard! Also turns a golden brown with exposure to light. I personally prefer to finish it with a walnut oil for a subdued sheen. Don't have any known experience with Japanese Elm.

Is the Mulberry a Yellow/Golden color?
That's what we get here on the East Coast, and it is one of the hardest native woods when dry. When wet, it turns off well, but the chips are brittle and crumble to dust very quickly.
Doesn't move much, or crack much drying.

Things might be different out West, though.

Doesn't sound like the same stuff.
My Mulberry is a yellow, and turns brown with light exposure.
Our tree produces edible black berrys that resemble Blackberries, or black raspberrys.