Rhododendron useful or not?

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Since becoming a more established bushcrafter,
i have more and more plant related questions
one is about the very notorius:
Rhododendron,

as far as i know it is:
pretty
grown to provide cover for phesant farming(or simular)
highly poisonus
a weed
and destroyer of woodlands!

can anyone enlighten me as to a positive bushcraft use?

could it be used for:
friction fire lighting
cordage
food ( no really, can you do anything with it?)
cheers!

 

[Scally]

no natrual predator bah hate it ( i hope there is something usefull to) spent many hours roddy bashing!!!!

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

the only thing i've heard of is:
my work coleague Ian from "woodland survival crafts",
has a bow made of the stuff(for a bow drill fire set)!

 

[Swan]

I'm not the most experienced bushcrafter, but i have used a nice curved piece rhodedendron to make a spoon for sheer asthetic reasons, after sanding it down with fine sand paper (for a very long time), the finish of the wood and the grain is absolutely beautiful.
Not sure of any other uses though.

 

[Snufkin]

I've read it burns well when it's seasoned.

 

[george]

Burns very well - good for carving - believe it is known as spoonwood in some parts of the states.

George

 

[Wayne]

I've read it burns well when it's seasoned.

The smoke from burning rhoddy is toxic.

I'm not sure how food safe the wood is.

 

[Adi]

Rhododendron is often used as tool handles in some countries and it is a good carving wood.

My old boys on Exmoor used the leaves as a scoops to aid drinking from springs, they said it was because the leaves were poisonous to most insects so there would be few insects on them. It was also said the leaves and flowers when burnt made an excellent insecticide smug and could also be used as an incense.

I was always told it was poisonous

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

so as a rule of thumb:

carving material!

tool handles

insect repellent smoke (with very great caution ) not sure about this one!

and if guy's were drinking from them then the leaves are water repellent and good as roofing material.

not bad!

 

[PatrickM]

The leaves can be used as make-shift fletching for arrows. Useful for fishing with bow and arrow.