The acid flavor of the wood was excellent skewing as the flavor communicated to what was skewed, mainly meats. Utensils made as well were good. Everyone knew never to burn the wood for heat or cooking because the lye made from the ashes made people sick as well as food prepared in it. Even the fumes of burned wood gave fevers and rashes to people who are near it long enough. Awkward for the civilized old world and the poisoned metals in realm of trial and errors.

[link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)]

The sourwood is perfectly hardy in the north and a worthy ornamental tree in lawns and parks. Its late bloom makes it desirable, and its autumnal coloring is particularly beautiful and brilliant. The leaves are heavily charged with acid, and to some extent have the poise of those of the peach.[4] The leaves are also a laxative.[5]

It is renowned for nectar, and for the honey which is produced from it.[6][7] Juice from its blooms is used to make sourwood jelly. The shoots were used by the Cherokee and the Catawba to make arrowshafts.