After you determine how to keep the strips in order, plan your cuts. The object is to end up with the growth rings going across the thickness of the strips. You will probably want to start with the rings vertical to produce plain-sawn boards from which you will rip quarter-sawn strips. A thin-kerf blade preserves more of your wood, but what a pile of sawdust your blade must throw up when cutting a 6" beam. You might want to change blades after you have the planks sawn. I am uncomfortable for a few days if I don't wear a dust mask cutting that much cedar or redwood. Enjoy.