The flowers of the sourwood tree are white and blooming occurs in late spring or early summer. Twigs are seemingly terminated by a leaf and bud, but bud is axillary and minute stem growth is adjacent. Grow it as a specimen, with a layer of mulch protecting its root zone from volunteering competitors. Additionally, the tree produces small urn-shaped flowers that look like lily-of-the-valley flowers. Sourwood vector illustration. In autumn, sourwood leaves develop colorful fall foliage in vibrant shades of crimson red to burgundy and purple. Sourwood trees, also called sorrel trees, offer delight in every season, with flowers in summer, brilliant color in fall, and ornamental seed pods in winter. Grow sourwood trees in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Sourwood is occasionally used as an ornamental because of its brilliant fall color and mid-summer flowers. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. The main consideration is watering newly transplanted trees in order to get them to establish themselves. You should remove dead or decaying branches in early spring. My Purple Plum Tree Looks Black Like Fungus: What Is This? A young sourwood tree may begin to flower when it is only 3 to 4 feet tall. The tree grows slowly, adapts to sun or shade, and prefers a slightly acid, peaty loam. It gets its common name, Lily of the Valley Tree, because its flowers look similar to those of the Lily of the Valley plant. The leaves are used as a thirst-quencher by hikers and mountain climbers, and were once brewed to make a tonic. In the wild, its bark often looks blocky like that of persimmon. The growth rate is 2-3 feet each year. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut. Even the straight species is difficult to find in the trade without looking for the plant in a specialty store. This type of natural fertilizer helps increase the soils acidic content, which is what sourwood trees prefer. 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. The bark is red-brown with deep vertical furrows that separate flat, pointed ridges. It produces small, persistent, tan, dry capsules. When fully grown, these products can reach 30-60 feet and prefer well-drained soils. Sourwood Tree Seedling gets its name from its sour-tasting leaves. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution injury. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. Alternate, simple, finely-toothed, glossy green leaves (3 to 6 inches long to 1 to 3 inches wide) entire to serrate margin shiny and glossy, reminiscent of a peach or laurel leaf. 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. Capsules contrast well with the red fall color and provide continuing ornamental interest after leaf drop into winter. University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Native Tree Series; Sourwood, GoLocalProv Lifestyle: The Best Tree You Can Plant This Spring, University of Tennessee Extension: Fertilizing Landscape Trees, University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences: Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscapei, The most important gardening tools you didn't know you needed. The mid- to late-summer flowers are borne in terminal clusters of racemes which curve upward, creating a graceful effect at flowering time. Sourwood Honey comes from the Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) a member of the Ericaceae family, also called the Sour gum, Sorrel tree or Lily-of-the-Valley tree.This showy, USA native tree is the lone species of its genera. 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. A sourwood faced with combined heat and drought drops its leaves. 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. The white-shaped flowers get opened, and the tree is very easily recognized. You might see the trees blooming in various regions also. Growing sourwood tree: Sourwood will be undaunted by pests, diseases, or minor cultural problems if it gets the well-drained, acid soil it requires. Water a sourwood tree often enough to prevent the ground from drying out. I want to preserve a nice mature sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum). A sourwood tree's leaves can be chewed to help quench thirst, made into tea, or added to salads, soups, or stews. The Sourwood ( Oxydendrum arboreum) is considered as an ornamental and shade tree. FREE delivery Jan 25 - 31 . Sourwood tree flowers are a creamy white color and bell-shaped. This tree can easily be identified by their lush dark green foliage which turns a striking fiery red in . There are few sights that are as striking as a row of Sourwood in fall color. The panicles persist after flowers drop and resemble long fingers. The best care you can give it is knowing what it likes and doesn't like. Tea made out of sourwood plant leaves and flowers can cure various disease problems, including asthma, nausea, and fever. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazon's store. 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. How to Manage and Maintain Paulownia tomentosa, Pros and Cons of Planting Mimosa in Your Yard, 20 Florida Native Plants That Thrive in the States Heat and Humidity, 18 Native Trees and Shrubs to Grow in Your Desert Backyard. Also, weevils (Conotrachelus anaglypticus) can damage new growth like buds, shoots, and leaves. The sourwood tree is an ornamental deciduous small tree famous for its white flowers, lanceolate leaves, gray-brown patterned bark, and red fall leaves. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Happiest in cool-summer areas of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8b, sourwoods pair airily cascading clusters of bell-shaped, white spring-to-early-summer flowers with lustrous, deep-green foliage. This tree is planted in groves for honey production; sourwood honey is delicious. Sourwoods are notorious for bad transplanting, so it's vital that you adequately water the newly planted tree. Store in a cool place and keep roots moist . If you are planting sourwood trees, youll do best to grow them in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Excellent fall color. Sourwood tree facts tell you that the scientific name is Oxydendrum arboretum. Looking for a source for a good sized, container grown sourwood tree to use as a focal point in a garden of primarily native plants. Sourwood thrive along road cuts, often sprouting from stumps left behind. Sourwood thrives in low-saline, acidic soil with a pH between 3.7 and 6.5 with consistent moisture and good drainage. The common name derives from the sour taste of the leaves, which are finely toothed and glossy. The name sourwood comes from the trees bitter yet edible foliage. However, it can do significant damage to your trees leaves. They are also a laxative. Natural hollows in these trees are refuge for climbing reptiles and amphibians, bats and other small wildlife. After two weeks, you can transplant the seedlings to the ground. Answer (1 of 2): Sourwood leaves are edible; they have a pleasant acidic taste. . Only 1 terminal bud, smaller than side buds. 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. It should take three to four weeks for germination to happen. Then make sure that the location is in full sun for best results. By late August, it is common to see foliage of young sourwood trees along roadsides beginning to turn red. While not incredibly high in nutrients, this organic material makes a great soil amendment that the sourwood thrives in naturally. It is 118 feet tall with a 2-foot trunk. The nectar-laden flowers are also a source of honey. The fall color of sourwood is a striking red and orange and associated with blackgum and sassafras. Just the Facts. The leaves are dark green in summer and change to red or a mix of red and orange in fall. The new growth that appears is a bronze color with large, dark-green leaves that turn orange and scarlet in color in the Fall. Native Range: Eastern and southern United States Zone: 5 to 9 Height: 20.00 to 50.00 feet Spread: 10.00 to 25.00 feet Bloom Time: June to July Bloom Description: White Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Flowering Tree Flower: Showy, Fragrant Leaf: Good Fall Fruit: Showy Tolerate: Deer Sourwood trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Plant in full sun to partial shade and dry or moist soil, but ensure it is well-drained. A tea made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea, indigestion. Birch Trees: Types, Leaves, Bark - Identification (With Images), Types of Trees With Thorns (Pictures and Names) - Identification Guide, White Oak Tree: Leaves, Bark, Fruit (Acorn) (Picture) Identification, Tree Fertilizers: When and How (Including The Best Tree Fertilizers), Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum): Leaves, Bark, Flowers Identification Guide (With Pictures), panicles of creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers, Small or Dwarf Weeping Trees for Landscaping, Small Trees for Landscaping Compact Spaces. 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. Sourwood has no serious disease or pest problems. Sourwood trees require minimal pruning when established. He describes himself as a "tree-hugging dirt worshipper" who is a member of multiple gardening societies and foundations. Common Name: sourwood Type: Tree Family: Ericaceae Native Range: Eastern and southern United States Zone: 5 to 9 Height: 20.00 to 50.00 feet Spread: 10.00 to 25.00 feet Bloom Time: June to July Bloom Description: White Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Flowering Tree Flower: Showy, Fragrant Leaf: Good Fall The Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) also know as the sorrel tree, is a deciduous understory tree that is native to the eastern United States. If someone has sourwood trees on their farm, they are fortunate. It is home primarily in the woodlands and along the water. 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. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. The foliar diseases appear as brown spots on leaves that quickly spread to the whole leaf. Silvery seed capsules continue well into winter, after the scarlet- and-orange autumn leaves drop. The trees that make most nectars grow in north Georgia and western North Carolina. Blossoms bloom on sender panicles and have a faint fragrance. A fountain of flowers cascading from the treetops is the best description of the native Sourwood Tree, Oxydendrum arboreum. You can find the tree growing in the foothills and mountainsides. You can then dig your hole for planting a sourwood tree. Each scented flower consists of five tiny petals fused to create a little bell. Ewing is located in USDA Zone 6b. You may also appreciate sourwood tree information about the flowers, which are attractive to bees. The hairy capsules ripen in late fall and contain tiny seeds. In addition, the leaves of the sourwood are said to have medicinal benefits, helping with: Fever reduction Dysentery Asthma Nausea Kidney and bladder problems FORUMS. Prune an older tree to maintain its shape and remove pest-damaged, broken, rubbing or downward-growing limbs. . Leaf spots can discolor some leaves but are not serious other than causing premature defoliation. For example, equal parts perlite and peat moss are ideal. It is the ideal ornamental tree when it reaches maturity when it can bloom after about its fifth season. Native to the rocky hills and understory of the Appalachians, the sourwood enjoys the cooler weather of the upland eastern seaboard but can also do well as far south as Louisiana. Sourwood is an attractive tree with white flowers that bloom in early summer and excellent fall color. Sourwood trees are bee magnets! 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. Sourwood grows slowly to its mature, 25- to 50-foot height and 12- to 20-foot spread. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, you'll want to learn more sourwood tree information. A properly watered sourwood can survive for more than 75 years. . It wont perform well where other rapidly growing trees block the sun it loves. I was hoping to get a sourwood tree from my local nursery for the yard but I read some discouraging facts. Just like the leaves, these flowers also have a fresh, acidic taste. To ensure healthy growth, its vital to choose a fertilizer for acid-loving trees. Its honey, which has a medium to light color with heavy body, is slow to granulate. Being a tree which is native to Georgia they are adapted to our soil and want to live here. Prune out infected branch tips and fertilize. It needs 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day and the sunniest spot in the yard gets 4-5. . Honey made by bees from its flowers is highly prized and . Yields an oval-shaped fruit that is under " in diameter. An Equal Opportunity University. Catch up on Prairifire Flowering Crabapple: Rose of the Tree World. Sourwood tree fruit persists on the tree until winter. Called Lily-of-the-Valley and Sorreltree also. In addition, its attractive summer green and white colors and excellent fall colors create a focal point throughout the growing seasons. Those panicles age into sweeping sprays of 1/3-inch oval, greenish-brown seed capsules which turn a silvery gray by . The best way to propagate sourwood trees is by collecting seeds, but even then, the seeds can be difficult to germinate. The tree produces 5-valved capsules borne on panicles that mature in the fall and release the very tiny, 2-winged seeds. Caterpillar damage usually results in leaf loss. Bees produce a rich and popular honey from the nectar. This plant prefers acidic, peaty, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. The sourwood grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. The bitter-tasting leaves are alternate, stalked, rather oblong, and 12-20 cm (5-8 inches) long. To grow Oxydendrum arboreum, keep the ground well-watered during dry spells. Scientific name: Oxydendrum arboreumPronunciation: ock-sih-DEN-drum ar-BORE-ee-umCommon name(s): Sourwood, Sorrel-TreeFamily: EricaceaeUSDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 9AOrigin: Native to North AmericaUses: recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; shade tree; specimen; no proven urban toleranceAvailability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree. The canopy is high enough that there would be plenty of daylight and air circulation. 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: Sourwoods are not drought-tolerant plants and require plenty of moisture during the growing seasons. Planting sourwood next to black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) makes for a great fall color combination. Fall webworm can defoliate portions of the tree in summer and fall but usually control is not needed. Prepared by Mary P. Tucker for the Georgia Native Plant Society. sourwood. Mountain climbers often use the leaves from sourwood trees to chew on their way or make tea out of it as a thirst quencher. (sourwood), leaves, fall color, Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. Oxydendrum arboreum, or Sourwood, is a deciduous smalltree that may grow 20 to 30feet tall and a trunk 8 to 12 inches in diameter. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, you'll want to learn more sourwood tree information. 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. The common name derives from the sour taste of the leaves, which are finely toothed and glossy. First, the trees dont tolerate urban pollution and wont thrive in city environments. To plant a sourwood tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the trees root ball and the same depth. Twig borers lay eggs in the trees stems, and when the larvae hatch, they feed on new tissue growth inside the branches. It prefers normal moisture but has some drought tolerance. In the late Summer, drooping clusters of fragrant Lily-of-the-Valley-like white flowers add an . The Sourwood trees are native to the Black Mountains and Appalachian mountains regions that extend from the south of New York to eastern Canada. For graduate student information, contact Dr. Mark Williams at (859) 257-1758, or mark.williams@uky.edu. Webworm and caterpillar activity can result in tree defoliation. Profile Video: See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: 'Chameleon' Colorful fall foliage display. Then its vital to prune the sourwood tree in early spring to encourage new growth and maintain its shape. A thread in the Trees, Shrubs and Conifers forum, titled Oxydendrum arboreum seed germination help needed. After the danger of frost has passed in spring and the seedlings are at least 6 (15 cm) tall, place the seedling tray in a shaded area in your garden. Can live 100200 years if planted in the right site. Pioneers used the sap as one ingredient in a concoction used for treating fevers; the bark for chewing to soothe mouth pains; and leaf tea for treating diarrhea, indigestion and dysentery. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution. Branching patterns and persistent fruit give the tree an interesting look in the winter. Then by summer, the tree is in bloom with rows of beautiful urn-shaped flowers. Sourwood trees can benefit from fertilization once a year in late fall. 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. Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) with red leaves in the autumn. Lets look in more detail at caring for a sourwood tree. Their larvae eat through and overwinter in the stem tissue. Sourwood can be grown in Zones 5 (perhaps 4) to 9. 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 is a pyramidal to oval tree that grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. It makes an excellent specimen or understory tree or planted in small groups in a woodland garden. They are low maintenance, adaptable, have no serious pest problems, is sun or shade tolerant and drought resistant once established. Sourwood tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum) is a small deciduous tree that's native to eastern North America. Sourwood trees near structures? Sourwood has no serious pest problems. Sourwood is important as a source of honey in some areas and sourwood honey is marketed locally. Features of Sourwood Tree A well developed Sourwood tree is capable of attaining a height, ranging from 25 feet to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 cm), with widespread branches that have a maximum spread of 20 feet (6 cm). Sourwood requires an acidic soil that is moist and well-drained. Help trees thrive in the Chicago region and around the world. Sourwood rarely needs pruning. Fruits on sourwood trees are small oval, egg-shaped capsules with a yellowish or greenish color that mature to grayish-brown color. The juice from these flowers is usually used to make sourwood jelly.