I am working on making a coffee table out of eastern cedar boards. Definitions of grades, standard sizes Southern Pine Assn. For fir, hemlock, and defects, standard sizes and patterns. For fir, hemlock, and red cedar battens, definitions of grade of each, permissible.
A warning about eastern red cedar : it turns way dark when oil finish is applied.
Shellac is almost as bad. If you want to preserve the pinkish-red. The mahogany is the most expensive and takes a high polish and gives an elaborate and very yachty finish.
Top-coating aromatic cedar seals in, and therefore negates, its insect-repellent properties. But you should also avoid applying any stain, paint. We are having some issues with old growth western red cedar paneling.