The wood is extremely hard to cut. It’s not something to tackle with an axe, but rather a saw and some serious labor. Since it’s difficult to split, it’s used to make boxes, fuel, and railroad ties.

The wood is mainly used for lumber, veneer, paper pulp, and to an extent railroad ties. The veneer is usually used to make boxes, crates. Black gum’s wood can also be used for flooring, gunstocks and pistol grips.

These trees are well adapted to wildfires. Old trees have thick, high moisture bark resisting becoming inflamed. Typically settings of the trees are conducive to flame so fire occurs only in extreme drought.

The honey produced from the flowers’ nectar gives the product the grade of using the product for baking. It’s not considered fine pure tupelo honey like that of the white tupelo, which tastes like sweet spring air.