Another Wood ID help? (sourwood!)

[Ringeck85]

Ok was (finally!) able to go back into the woods and find a tree like this, with the leaves of course out and green

So, it is not hickory, nor ash or any kind of oak, nor maple, nor beech, nor any kind of bow wood I know.  Anybody know what this is?  The tree tends to grow at angles as well, with its branches growing up more straightly to get sunlight in forest cover.  Grows to be maybe 50-60 feet? 

It has alternating simple leaves (I think?), leaves grow to about 5-6" long max, broadly elliptical, the twig starts reddish, then as it grows it grays, and then as that grows into a large branch the bark fissures like seen on the top of the thread.

Here's a branch I had to climb up and cut off to study away from the mosquitos and ticks.
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q797/VisarFalmaien/DSCN0165_zps65925f72.jpg

Here is the twig/branch which starts reddish then grays quickly:
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q797/VisarFalmaien/DSCN0163_zps64fe5822.jpg

Here is the leaf pattern (those are smaller than full sized leaves)
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q797/VisarFalmaien/DSCN0164_zps40b91e94.jpg

Here's a single leaf(let?):
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q797/VisarFalmaien/DSCN0162_zpsb3f3f89f.jpg

So, anybody know what this is, and whether I can make a bow out of it?  I'm going to try regardless cause I don't want it to go to waste, but knowing what I can expect from the wood can help   Thanks!!!

[blackhawk]

Sourwood maybe?

[Hrothgar]

The leaves look a little like a tupelo tree, if it were a swamp tupelo the base would probably have been bigger and spread out 

[Ringeck85]

Blackhawk you got good eyes it's sourwood i'm positive!

I had wondered whether it was some sort of tupelo as well, but i don't think that fits as well. Very close though as i think there is tupelo in the woods.

I had glossed over it in my tree book because when i cut it the leaves weren't out yet and the picture of the bark was bad. Leaves and twig, especially that they smell sour, fits it perfectly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxydendrum

According to this (i know it's wiki but not the worst place to start) the Cherokee used it for arrowshafts which i can totally see and i am totally gonna get some shoots when it's dryer in the woods.  Anybody make a bow out of it on here?

Thank you everyone for your help

[lostarrow]

There was an article in the mag. a few issues back about sourwood shafts, I believe.I would think if it's big enough, it will make a fine bow! The characteristics that make it a good candidate for arrows will make it good for bows.