Cedar?

I'm taking on a small project to provide a timber framed screened enclosure. We are concerned about wheather exposure and would like to use a decay resistent wood. Cedar comes to mind. Is cedar an approriate choice for timber framing use? I can easly design the frame to account for the reduced strength characteristics, but I'm concerned that the wood will be difficult to work? Would I want to work a wet or dried cedar? Were could I find a good source for cedar? Any thoughts would be of help. Thank you, MTF