Sourwood

Overview

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a Southeastern American tree better known as an ornamental and a source of honey than as a timber. The Wood Database lists hardness and density but, for colour, grain, durability, workability, pricing and uses, its page says only "No data available". This entry therefore records what is known and flags the gaps, rather than guessing.

Pros

• Measured Janka hardness of 940 lbf and density of about 610 kg/m3 dried.
• A faint potato-like scent while working, per the Wood Database.
• No specific health effects reported beyond the standard risks of wood dust.

Cons

• Almost no published woodworking data: colour, grain, rot resistance, workability and uses are listed as "no data available".
• Shrinkage is 6.3% radial and 8.9% tangential (volumetric 15.2%), fairly high.
• No retail source for lumber was found.

Variants and subspecies

None of note. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is the only species; the Wood Database does not list named variants. Check the botanical name when buying.

Working and finishing

No data. The Wood Database gives no workability information for sourwood, so test every step on offcuts. Its 940 lbf Janka hardness is similar to Black cherry (950 lbf), but that is a comparison of hardness only, not a reported working result.

Staining and finishing colour

No data. The Wood Database gives no colour description for sourwood, and no staining information was found. Treat the swatch and stain ratings in this entry as placeholders, and test samples before committing.

Sustainability and handling

The Wood Database reports sourwood as not listed in the CITES Appendices (checked 2026-09-30) or on the IUCN Red List; Wikipedia's page gives Least Concern (2018). US-grown timber is still covered by the Lacey Act, which as amended in 2008 prohibits trade in plants and timber taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of law (Wikipedia's summary of the Act); buy from dealers who can name the source. The Wood Database reports no health effects beyond the standard risks of wood dust. The Wood Database's wood-dust article treats wood dust in general as an irritant or sensitizer and notes that fine dust can cause cumulative lung damage, so extract at the source and wear a respirator when sanding or machining.

Popular projects

The Wood Database lists no uses for the wood. Wikipedia describes the tree as ornamental and as a honey tree.

Buying notes

No price or availability data were found. If you are offered sourwood, ask for the botanical name, drying history and photographs of the actual boards, and buy a small amount to test before committing to a project.