is this hammer splitting?

Mine doesn't look that good when it splits. Take a look at its base. When mine splits the new growth at the base is white and it out paces it turning green and it grows in the shape of a triangle (to a point) on two sides such that the points grow together splitting the hammer - if that makes any sense at all. It's kinda hard to describe. 

this is what my hammer looks like when its starting to bud/branch out. this one has 4 on this side.