I'm just guessing, but suppose they took two slices off the log for the ends, and cut a slice for the table, and joined them together. Gives the appearance of a complete half-log, but much easier to handle. It is undeniably a show-stopper.
That is a beautiful table. I think I should get one. Of course one end would be out through the living room window and the other end would be out the dining room window and people wouldn't be able to get to the foot of the stairs. Would sure be pretty though.