Decisions about sweet gum

[kelLOGg]

I've cut it before - usually as ovals described in this link:
Has anyone cut oval table tops on a bandmill? in Sawmills and Milling (forestryforum.com) 
but for the 4 small logs I have now I want to do something different. They are 10" dia and 10 to 14 ft long, fairly straight with few to no knots. I know they are too small to quarter saw and that the pith must be centered so I am considering, 1) just cut them as 7 x 7 beams which I do not know what I would do with, or 2) cut about a 4 x 9 live edge for eventual use as a mantel. Sorry, no pics. They are pretty boring and easy to visualize. I prefer the mantel idea. Any comments or ideas?

[firefighter ontheside]

I've got a similar sized sweet gum log that I need to do something with soon or it will be rotten.  May already be.  What I learned about the few sweetgum I have milled is that it will not dry straight, so oversize everything.  The mantel is probably your  best option with logs that size.  I'd be interested to see what the market is for a sweetgum mantel.

[Magicman]

The market for a Sweetgum Mantel will not be because it is Sweetgum, but if it has pretty figured wood and is straight. 


 
Very few Sweetgum logs will show their colors and you should be able to see the colors from the end   Most are only whitish to the pith.

[WDH]

8/4 live edge one side for live edge shelves which are popular right now.  8/4 so you have enough wood to flatten out the twist and warp and end up with 1 1/4" to 1 3/8" thick shelf boards.  The mantel idea is a good one too, but most of my mantel customers want more than 9" of width.