Sourwood trees are co-sexual (both male and female parts within each flower) with very noticeable and unique flowering structures. The fall color of sourwood is a striking red and orange and associated with blackgum and sassafras. Capsules contrast well with the red fall color and provide continuing ornamental interest after leaf drop into winter. It has a slow growth rate, reaches a height of 25-30 feet, and can take 12-15 years to reach a height of just 15 feet. Sourwoods require a well-drained acid soil. Similarly, the hickory horned devil caterpillar can attack sourwood leaves in late spring. Sourwood rarely needs pruning. Choose the sunniest part of your garden and ensure that the soil is loamy and well-draining. Occasionally young specimens have a more open spreading habit reminiscent of Redbud.Crown density: denseGrowth rate: slowTexture: medium, Plant Image Library / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0, Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy; not particularly showy; should be grown with a single leader; no thornsPruning requirement: needs little pruning to develop a strong structureBreakage: resistantCurrent year twig color: green; reddishCurrent year twig thickness: medium; thin, Leaf arrangement: alternateLeaf type: simpleLeaf margin: entire; serrulate; undulateLeaf shape: lanceolate; oblongLeaf venation: banchidodrome; pinnateLeaf type and persistence: deciduousLeaf blade length: 4 to 8 inchesLeaf color: green Fall color: orange; red Fall characteristic: showy. It wont perform well where other rapidly growing trees block the sun it loves. Can live 100200 years if planted in the right site. Flowers are fragrant and bloom poorly in the shade. . Flowers have a 5 lobed calyx and an urceolate corolla that is finely downy, white, 5-lobed, and minute. Profile Video: See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: 'Chameleon' Colorful fall foliage display. It grows to about 23 metres (75 feet) in height. In autumn, you can recognize the sourwood tree by the rows of brown fruit standing erect on curving stems. Additionally, the tree produces small urn-shaped flowers that look like lily-of-the-valley flowers. To care properly for sourwood tree, it requires well-drained organically rich acidic soil and full sun for best results. Sourwood trees offer delight in every season. Bare root plants need to be planted within 2-3 days of receiving unless weather-related problems prohibit planting. (zones 5-9). Most if not all issues that come up will either resolve themselves or be so minor that they can be overlooked as simply a nuisance. The common name derives from the sour taste of the leaves, which are finely toothed and glossy. Copyright 2023, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Called Lily-of-the-Valley and Sorreltree also. This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 1324" per year. Sourwood thrive along road cuts, often sprouting from stumps left behind. For an ornamental plant, the sourwood does not have huge levels of thirst. Sourwood has no serious disease or pest problems. Leaf spots can discolor some leaves but are not serious other than causing premature defoliation. The lack of cultivars is because the nursery trade has raised the breeding stock and found many significant mutations to breed. To plant a sourwood tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the trees root ball and the same depth. How to Grow and Care for Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium), How To Grow and Care For Japanese Zelkova Trees, How to Grow and Care for American Hornbeam, How to Grow and Care for Canadian Hemlock Trees, How to Grow and Care for Japanese Maple Trees, How to Grow and Care for Osakazuki Japanese Maple, How to Grow and Care for 'Crimson King' Maple, How to Grow and Care for Chinese Pistache, How to Grow and Care for a Carrotwood Tree, 10 Poplar Trees: Pros and Cons of Each Type, How to Grow and Care for a Paperbark Maple Tree, How to Identify and Remove Tree of Heaven. For graduate student information, contact Dr. Mark Williams at (859) 257-1758, or mark.williams@uky.edu. Two long-horned beetle species, twig girdlers (Oncideres cingulata) and dogwood stem borers (Oberea tripunctata) chew their way around sourwood's stems and deposit their eggs in the crevices. The Sourwood Tree is a tree that grows in the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia, North Carolina, and parts of Tennessee. Sourwood Tree Seedlings produce white flowers during the Summer months. RM R8WEF4 - Sourwood tree, used by the Cherokee for arrow shafts, Qualla Reservation, North Carolina. Sourwood grows slowly, adapts to sun or shade, and prefers a slightly acid, peaty loam. It is tolerant of shade and dry soils and moderately tolerant of salt. It is the only guaranteed way that I have found of beating . The nectar-laden flowers are also a source of honey. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. Sourwood has no serious pests or diseases. They can grow to 8 inches (20 cm.) In its native habitat Sourwood can grow up to 60' x 100'. It needs 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day and the sunniest spot in the yard gets 4-5. . Because sourwoods grow well in partial shade, they are excellent under-story trees. Sourwood Tree Seedlings for Planting | 1-2 Feet Tall Live Tree Plants - Stunning Red Leaves and White Flowers (2 Trees) $42.96 $ 42. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut. Locate the tree away from other plants, where its showy characteristics get the attention they deserve. The sourwood spends most of its time in the understory of the forests, draped in the shade of huge canopy trees like oaks and maples. Read on to learn about the planting and care of sourwood trees. Only 1 terminal bud, smaller than side buds. Sourwood flowers are very attractive to bees, and sourwood honey is common in the South. sourwood, sorrel tree, lily-of-the-valley tree. Trees are slow growing and sensitive to air pollution, poor drainage, root disturbance, and soil compaction. Webworm and caterpillar activity can result in tree defoliation. Honey made from the nectar of these flowers is highly prized for its color and flavor. Second, the trees dont perform well in compact soil or cope with drought. Sourwood is a tree for all seasons, rewarding you with year-round beauty, according to native plant enthusiast Helen Hamilton of Williamsburg. Sourwood sprouts often interfere with the establishment of more desirable species in second . Sourwood is a pyramidal to oval tree that grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. Answer (1 of 2): Sourwood leaves are edible; they have a pleasant acidic taste. The dense, glossy green foliage appears in spring, and the branches have a somewhat weeping or drooping habit. Sourwood Honey comes from the nectar of the flower on the Sourwood Tree, which blooms in July/August of each year . Features simple, elliptic or oblong leaves that are dark green in color and range from 48" long. . Mix peat, composted pine bark or other organic material into the removed soil and begin refilling the hole, stopping halfway to water the roots and let the tree settle. Oxydendrum arboreum, or Sourwood, is a deciduous smalltree that may grow 20 to 30feet tall and a trunk 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Sourwood grows well in confined soil spaces with good drainage making it a candidate for urban plantings but is largely untried as a street tree. Fragrant white blooms in July in elongated clusters. Julie Janoski. Pests are usually not a problem for Sourwood. Her thousands of published articles cover topics from travel and gardening to pet care and technology. Honey Jar Mock-Up - Male hands holding a honey jar on a gray. The bark is red-brown with deep vertical furrows that separate flat, pointed ridges. Sourwood is a beautiful decorative tree suitable for growing in full sun to partial shade in residential garden landscapes. Once the tree is established you can taper the supplemental watering off and let nature take over. A sourwood tree's leaves can be chewed to help quench thirst, made into tea, or added to salads, soups, or stews. Depending on the fungal infection, cankers can form on the twigs or branches, or leaf spots can appear on the foliage. Wood is heavy, hard, and closegrained, but is seldom used as a commercial wood. Shape the young tree to establish a single, strong trunk with five to eight evenly spaced branches beginning 5 feet from the ground. Techniques have been described for sourwood seed collection, storage, and germination (2,5,14). Leaf spot and twig blight infrequently occur on the Sourwood tree. Full Sun or Shade for a Crimson Queen Maple. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. They bloom during mid-summer. The trees typically grow 25 feet (8 m.) tall in your backyard but can shoot up to 60 feet (18 m.) tall in the wild. In addition, the leaves of the sourwood are said to have medicinal benefits, helping with: Fever reduction Dysentery Asthma Nausea Kidney and bladder problems It is of little value as a timber species but the wood is heavy and is used locally for handles, firewood and in mixture with other species for pulp. Once the seedlings appear, apply a diluted acidic fertilizer for seedlings every two weeks. Reportedly not highly drought tolerant, but there are beautiful specimens in USDA hardiness zone 7 growing in the open sun in poor clay with no irrigation. This specimen is located at a residence Flowers on sourwood trees are panicles of creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers that grow on one side of the stems and bloom in June and July. RM 2M871R1 - Close up of red fall foliage and flowers of a sourwood or sorrel tree Oxydendron arboreum in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Sourwood trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Sourwood requires an acidic soil that is moist and well-drained. Bees produce a rich and popular honey from the nectar. They won't put up a fuss like an alien species can. They have a sour taste, hence the common name. The Sourwood tree, also called the Oxydendrum arboreum in scientific terminology, is an aboriginal plant of North America. Scientific Name: Common Name: Scientific Name Pronounciation: Plant Type: Tree Plant Hardiness Zones: Plant Hardiness Zone (s): Usual Size: Flower: Bloom Time Notes: Leaf: Fruit: Wildlife: Natural Habitat: Propagation: Bloom Time: It might hang over the front corner/porch a bit, leaning as even healthy sourwoods do. Each scented flower consists of five tiny petals fused to create a little bell. The white-shaped flowers get opened, and the tree is very easily recognized. Native sourwood trees are beautiful ornamental trees that provide visual interest in all seasons. Grow sourwood trees in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. The amber-colored sourwood honey also has an aroma of cinnamon and cloves. Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, early summer, midsummer, early fall, mid fall, Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. Browse 168 sourwood tree stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. To propagate a sourwood tree from seed, you need a seedling tray filled with a moist potting medium. Sourwood makes an excellent specimen tree, and can also be used in shrub borders with Rhododendron, Pieris and Leucothoe. Leaves from the sourwood tree are identified as lance-shaped with pointed tips and measure 3 to 6 (7.5 15 cm) long and up to 3 (7.5 cm) wide. It is not snobby like some ornamentals which require fussing and tending. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution. Small Business. HU-278742553. Natural hollows in these trees are refuge for climbing reptiles and amphibians, bats and other small wildlife. In addition, its attractive summer green and white colors and excellent fall colors create a focal point throughout the growing seasons. N.C. Sourwood trees require minimal pruning when established. You might see the trees blooming in various regions also. "Sourwood" isn't exactly a household name, but if more people knew about this exquisite ornamental tree's charms, it would be as warmly embraced as Flowering Dogwoods and Japanese Maples. Sourwood tree growth is fairly rapid. They hang on the tree after leaf drop and lend ornamental winter interest. Honey from the sourwood tree is known as North Carolina's most famous . UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information System, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Sourwood thrives in low-saline, acidic soil with a pH between 3.7 and 6.5 with consistent moisture and good drainage. Sourwood grows well in confined soil spaces with good drainage making it a candidate for urban plantings but is largely untried as a street tree. Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Sycamore diseases. If you are considering planting sourwood trees, youll be glad to learn that the foliage produces excellent fall color, consistently turning a bright crimson. Keep the seedling tray in a warm place and under a fluorescent lamp for 24 hours a day. Sourwood has no serious pest problems. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that grows to be 20-30 feet tall. It prefers normal moisture but has some drought tolerance. It has simple, alternate, 3 to 8 inch, elongated leaves with finely toothed edges. Slow growth rate to 30 feet (9 m) in cultivation, greater in the wild. . But the best known by-product of the Sourwood tree is the hard-to-find and extremely delicious honey that bees produce from the fragrant blossoms. You can find the sourwood from the coast of Virginia to North Carolina, over into Southern Ohio and Indiana, and down to Mississippi and Louisiana. Several fungal diseases can affect the growth of a sourwood tree. Also, remove limbs off the tree to keep a 5 ft. (1.5 m) space under the canopy. Sourwood tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum) is a small deciduous tree that's native to eastern North America. We offer 3 days to report any problems with your order. For undergraduate student information regarding the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Dr. Krista Jacobsen at (859) 257-3921, or krista.jacobsen@uky.edu. Pennsylvania to Florida, west to Louisiana and Ohio. Their shape is reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley. It has a few pest or disease problems such as webworm and twig blight, but is easily treated. After its leaves drop in fall, scatter a fertilizer for acid-loving plants on the soil. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Why such a poor transplant survival rate? Similarly, the edible white sourwood flowers have a fresh, acidic taste. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Dig a hole twice as wide as the tree's root ball, ease the tree from its nursery pot, untangle its roots and center it in the hole. Alternatively, you can cut the webs down and drop them in a bucket of soapy water to kill the caterpillars. Prepared by Mary P. Tucker for the Georgia Native Plant Society. . The bright red colors stand out from other deciduous landscape trees that may be golden yellow or coppery-bronze. Spread the fertilizer in a circle, beginning at the outer two-thirds of the branch spread. It should take three to four weeks for germination to happen. How to Propagate Sourwood Tree The mid- to late-summer flowers are borne in terminal clusters of racemes which curve upward, creating a graceful effect at flowering time. Sourwood Tree Fertilization Sourwood trees can benefit from fertilization once a year in late fall. It has a slow growth rate and no serious pest or disease problems. It goes by many other common or local names including sorrel tree, sorrel gum, sour gum, arrow wood, elk tree, lily-of-the-valley tree and titi tree. This tree is especially common in Southeastern US. He describes himself as a "tree-hugging dirt worshipper" who is a member of multiple gardening societies and foundations. Fall foliage is red to reddish-purple. The ideal soil is moist and rich in organic content. Origin: US native - Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee - grows along stream banks. Sourwood leaves look like laurel leaves with finely toothed margins. He is an arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience. Most of the critical pruning for sourwoods is when the trees are relatively immature. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. A type of brown beetle (Oncideres cingulata) feeds on new bark, killing twigs. On first-year shoots, the bark is often bright red. The attractive features of a sourwood tree are its pretty urn-shaped white flower clusters (panicles), stunning foliage that turns shades of crimson-red to reddish-purple color in the fall, and attractive red-brown bark. The gourmet honey has a sweet buttery caramel flavor with a slightly peppery aftertaste. Excellent fall color. . Place the young tree in the center, ensuring that it grows at the same height as before. Planting sourwood next to black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) makes for a great fall color combination. Its leaves are rich green and turn yellow, red, and purple in the fall. Sourwood can be grown in Zones 5 (perhaps 4) to 9. Lumber is used for tool handles and was once used to make wagon sled runners. Irrigation is required during hot, dry weather to keep leaves on the tree. Gourmet honey is produced by the many bees that are attracted to the nectar-laden flowers. Mountain climbers often use the leaves from sourwood trees to chew on their way or make tea out of it as a thirst quencher. There are few sights that are as striking as a row of Sourwood in fall color. Prune sourwood in early spring before its new growth starts. Plant in full sun to partial shade and dry or moist soil, but ensure it is well-drained. This virtually eliminates damping off as a problem. My Purple Plum Tree Looks Black Like Fungus: What Is This? Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. You can find the tree growing in the foothills and mountainsides. If you encounter issues loading this site, please refresh the page by using Ctrl + F5 if on Windows or Cmd + Shift + R if on Mac. oxydendrum arboretum sourwood Share: facebook twitter pinterest googleplus linkedin James R. Fazio It is 118 feet tall with a 2-foot trunk. Twig borers lay eggs in the trees stems, and when the larvae hatch, they feed on new tissue growth inside the branches. Additionally, the native tree does not grow in the wild in other countries apart from the United States. Sourwood Trees have a reputation of being very difficult to grow in domestication. Blossoms bloom on sender panicles and have a faint fragrance. This type of natural fertilizer helps increase the soils acidic content, which is what sourwood trees prefer. Site design : Academic Web Pages. It will take some supplemental watering when extreme dry weather sets in, but it can stand some drought conditions for a time. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. After the seedlings have developed two leaves, keep only the strongest ones and discard the rest. They are similar to lily of the valley flowers, providing an alternate common name. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. If you plant ten trees, four or five will die and half of the survivors will be unthrifty. Leaf spots can discolor some leaves but are not serious other than causing premature defoliation. When fully grown, these products can reach 30-60 feet and prefer well-drained soils. This tree will not tolerate dry, compacted, alkaline soils or deicing salt, and is sensitive to root disturbance, so it is not ideal for urban areas. This tree grows to be 25-30 feet in height and has a spread of about 20 feet at full maturity. The sourwood tree is very rarely noticeable if it is not in bloom. This plant does not like to be transplanted so only do so with young plants. Branches droop toward the ground forming a graceful outline when planted as a single specimen. Dead twigs and branches have sunken cankers. A very ornamental plant, it will flower in 4 to 5 years after planting from seed. Sourwood Tree Seedling gets its name from its sour-tasting leaves. Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist and member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care. The botanical equivalent of operatic divas, sourwood trees (Oxydendrum arboreum) compensate for their temperamental quirks with four-season performance. With proper care, sourwoods can be ornamental overachievers. In the late Summer, drooping clusters of fragrant Lily-of-the-Valley-like white flowers add an . Keep the soil evenly moist. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Pests are usually not a problem for Sourwood. The normal standard of watering weekly for the first two seasons applies, at a rate of two to three gallons a week per trunk diameter measured by caliper at chest height. Bark is gray-brown and deeply ridged with the ridges often divided into a somewhat square pattern. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. Plant Clinic Manager. This slowly spreading fungal infection can cause die-back where new growth doesnt appear or leaves wilt suddenly. One of the things that make the sourwood so appealing is the real lack of care that needs to be done to maintain this beautiful ornamental tree. This tree is planted in groves for honey production; sourwood honey is delicious. Prune an older tree to maintain its shape and remove pest-damaged, broken, rubbing or downward-growing limbs. The trees that make most nectars grow in north Georgia and western North Carolina. Growing in the upland forests of the southeastern United States, it is most abundant in the Alleghenies and the Blue Ridge mountains. Small Business. Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution injury. The sour-tasting leaves have short petioles and grow alternately on the trees stems. Its place in the ecosystem as an understory tree really allows it to be the understated underdog while making a visual impression that will be sure to win your heart. Caterpillar damage usually results in leaf loss. This tree has vivid red autumn foliage and tiny, woody fruit that persists into fall. Green leaves in the summer in Moore County. While not incredibly high in nutrients, this organic material makes a great soil amendment that the sourwood thrives in naturally. One of the first trees to color in the fall it . Bud death followed by new bud formation and more bud death results in witches' broom-like proliferation of branch ends as well as very crooked branching patterns. In addition, their relatively short stature provides plenty of interest at eye level and can be a great addition to your landscape. sourwood. Les Engles achieved Master Gardener through theCamden County Extension of the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program. The trees with their weeping branches and irregular pyramidal crown are ideal for lawns, shade gardens, or patios. Sourwood is occasionally used as an ornamental because of its brilliant fall color and mid-summer flowers. To ensure healthy growth, its vital to choose a fertilizer for acid-loving trees. Flowers are quite attractive to bees and the honey is highly sought after. Send mail to cgcass0@uky.edu with questions about this site. Mix peat, composted pine bark or other organic material into the removed soil and begin refilling the hole, stopping halfway to water the roots and let the tree settle. Unfortunately, this feeding habit causes new sprouts and stems to die back, resulting in poor growth. Being a tree which is native to Georgia they are adapted to our soil and want to live here. During summer, long panicles of distinctive creamy-white bell-shaped fragrant flowers help to identify the tree. Order Your Sourwood Tree From TN Nursery Today I'm also open to suggestion regarding other native trees that can tolerate a little shade and won't get much larger than the sourwood at maturity. Sourwood tree is a plant that is native to eastern North America. Sourwood honey is very popular where this tree is found in abundance. It is home primarily in the woodlands and along the water. last year. You can then dig your hole for planting a sourwood tree. Prevent the problem with weekly watering during dry spells when its actively growing. The leaves are dark, lustrous green and appear to weep or hang from the twigs while branches droop toward the ground. The sweet nectar . form a strategic partnership called N.C. Heat tolerant. The hairy capsules ripen in late fall and contain tiny seeds. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a small deciduous tree in the heath family Ericaceae. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution injury. Digital photograph. In the wild, its bark often looks blocky like that of persimmon. Sourwood usually grows as a pyramid or narrow oval with a more or less straight trunk at a height of 25 to 35 feet but can reach 50 to 60 feet tall with a spread of 25 to 30 feet. The tree does reasonably well in dry, neutral soils. Because of this, it is adaptable to various light conditions which makes it incredible versatile as invaluable in ornamental horticulture. . Then by summer, the tree is in bloom with rows of beautiful urn-shaped flowers. 6,649 views. It is intolerant of pollution and urban areas. Their larvae eat through and overwinter in the stem tissue. Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on peoples lives. Getting rid of borers that infest a sourwood tree can be challenging. View Map. Keeping the tree healthy and stress-free with proper siting, irrigation and feeding is the most effective deterrent for these pests. Leaves are rich green, turning yellow, red and purple in fall. Being a slow-growing tree that takes a bit of time to mature, using fertilizer during the first five years will not do much other than stimulating limb growth. Help trees thrive in the Chicago region and around the world. To grow Oxydendrum arboreum, keep the ground well-watered during dry spells. Sign up for our newsletter. It was used as a tonic, decoction, and even as a gum; medicinal uses include treating urinary problems, prostrate conditions, diarrhea, dysentery, and many other symptoms. The midsummer flowering and beautiful fall foliage make sourwood an attractive ornamental. The best care you can give it is knowing what it likes and doesn't like. Blooms from June to early July, with fragrant white flowers on drooping stalks that look very similar to lilies-of-the-valley. They are elliptic to oval or oblong-lanceolate, acute, minnutely serrulate, accuminate, and broadly cuneate. When a sourwood tree is young, it's important to trim it down so that it develops into a stunning form. Sourwood trees are easy to identify in the fall due to their brilliant colors. Young sourwood trees with green and red leaves. Provide additional fertilizer in late fall to increase the soils nutrient content. Sourwood has a deep and fibrous root system and has a reputation for being difficult to transplant or move. Despite its grace and beauty, sourwood trees are notorious for being difficult to establish in landscapes. There is a second act to the Sourwood season, when, with the onset of cooler weather and shortening days it bursts forth into a breathtaking display of burgundy and red. Water them during dry weather, even after they mature, since they are intolerant of drought.
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