I'm near Kalamazoo; The Mill I quoted from in my initial post is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula city of Escanaba. I asked them for a quote on 14 footers as a test to see what they were capable of "6-8 footers". The reply I received is maybe an early warning regarding the white cedar industry - "...more profit in mulch!"

Is the mill you bought from near Alpena called: Cedar Log and Lumber of Millersburg Inc.? I have spoken with them also and know that I could probably use their 5/4 X 8' wht cedar deck planking. What was the lumber like that you had purchased there - clear, flat sawn, 3/4 or 5/4?
Also, Towne and Country Lumber Mill in Boyne Falls supplies the log home industry with Wht Cedar. And of course LL Johnsons in Charlotte is the most well known here for woodworkers.

I'm not fond of cedar or cypress mulch either, seems silly to have it mostly desintegrate and need replacing every year... Around here in the spring many gas stations have pallets stacked high with bags of mulch selling for 3 or 4 bags for $10 or so. Some is stained red and people buy it like pop corn.

Thanks!
BS