I was at my local cedar supplier today when i saw a cart full of 10ft long clear western red cedar 6x6's. There were probably 15 or so tight grained posts. I really had never seen much lumber like that in the store, they have 2 by 8 s4s by 20' and some larger lumber but I just had to ask what this stuff was for.
The owner smiled and said a local vermont wood turner is cutting the posts in three peices lenghthwise and turning ballusters sp? for a client. and that this was only the last bit of the order. The complete order for the balluster lumber cost $13,000. Just for materials. I almost cried thinking of all the boats that could have been made with this lumber. Or all the starving people that could have been fed.

Tom

Tom