Sourwood is an attractive tree with white flowers that bloom in early summer and excellent fall color. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution. Old fall webworm tents attract invertebrates that birds often eat during late fall and winter. form a strategic partnership called N.C. Sourwood honey also has antibacterial properties. Common names: Sourwood thrives in low-saline, acidic soil with a pH between 3.7 and 6.5 with consistent moisture and good drainage. Similarly, the edible white sourwood flowers have a fresh, acidic taste. Fall webworm can defoliate portions of the tree in summer and fall but usually control is not needed. Small Business. This type of natural fertilizer helps increase the soils acidic content, which is what sourwood trees prefer. Sourwood tree bark has recognizable deep furrows with patterns resembling alligator hide. The trunk of a sourwood tree is straight and slender, the bark fissured and gray, and the crown narrow. This tree grows to be 25-30 feet in height and has a spread of about 20 feet at full maturity. 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 brownish capsules measure up to 0.5 (1.2 cm) long and provide visual ornamental interest contrasting with the vibrantly colored red foliage. It gets its common name, Lily of the Valley Tree, because its flowers look similar to those of the Lily of the Valley plant. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. Sourwood Tree Seedlings produce white flowers during the Summer months. If someone has sourwood trees on their farm, they are fortunate. The leaves are dark, lustrous green and appear to weep or hang from the twigs while branches droop toward the ground. Reports show that using stem cuttings to propagate a sourwood rarely succeeds. If you are considering planting sourwood trees, youll be glad to learn that the foliage produces excellent fall color, consistently turning a bright crimson. In addition, the leaves of the sourwood are said to have medicinal benefits, helping with: Fever reduction Dysentery Asthma Nausea Kidney and bladder problems However, ensuring the sourwood tree gets plenty of sunlight and adequate water should make it resistant to most diseases. The hickory horned devil caterpillar is a huge green caterpillar that looks aggressive but is harmless and wont bite you. Sourwood Tree Seedling gets its name from its sour-tasting leaves. Let your sourwood establish for a year before fertilizing. Click this article to learn about the planting and care of sourwood trees. Keep the seedling tray in a warm place and under a fluorescent lamp for 24 hours a day. First, the trees dont tolerate urban pollution and wont thrive in city environments. Leaves contain oxalic acid and acidic to taste. Caterpillar damage usually results in leaf loss. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, you'll want to learn more sourwood tree information. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. Then remove the rooted nursery plant from the container and untangle the roots. An Equal Opportunity University. The Sourwood Tree is a tree that grows in the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia, North Carolina, and parts of Tennessee. Help trees thrive in the Chicago region and around the world. Grows in Zones 5-9, Deciduous. Bowel movements were also doctored using these leaves, making them regular and aiding patients during sudden, . Depending on the fungal infection, cankers can form on the twigs or branches, or leaf spots can appear on the foliage. FREE delivery Jan 25 - 31 . Click this article to learn about the planting and care of sourwood trees. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, you'll want to learn more sourwood tree information. 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. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. Similarly, the hickory horned devil caterpillar can attack sourwood leaves in late spring. The sourwood tree is an ornamental deciduous small tree famous for its white flowers, lanceolate leaves, gray-brown patterned bark, and red fall leaves. The bright red colors stand out from other deciduous landscape trees that may be golden yellow or coppery-bronze. . By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Also known as sorrel-tree or lily-of-the-valley-tree, its flowers are an important source of honey in some areas but it is of little value as a timber species. 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. Then its vital to prune the sourwood tree in early spring to encourage new growth and maintain its shape. Finally, backfill the hole using the amended native soil. Order Your Sourwood Tree From TN Nursery Today We offer 3 days to report any problems with your order. Sourwood Tree Seedlings for Planting | 1-2 Feet Tall Live Tree Plants - Stunning Red Leaves and White Flowers (2 Trees) $42.96 $ 42. Native geographic location and habitat: . this difficulty can be overcome by studying the conditions under which it grows best. Sourwood tree facts tell you that the scientific name is Oxydendrum arboretum. It is an early summer bloomer and gives fresh flower color after most flowering plants have faded. Prune out infected branch tips and fertilize. Then sprinkle the fine seeds over the soil, mist with water, and cover with plastic. Sourwood Honey comes from the nectar of the flower on the Sourwood Tree, which blooms in July/August of each year . They are low maintenance, adaptable, have no serious pest problems, is sun or shade tolerant and drought resistant once established. (sourwood), leaves, fall color, Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. Flowers are quite attractive to bees and the honey is highly sought after. Sourwoods are not drought-tolerant plants and require plenty of moisture during the growing seasons. Trees grow best in moist, well-drained acidic soils in full sun to light shade. The foliar diseases appear as brown spots on leaves that quickly spread to the whole leaf. The flowers droop from the stem and have a pleasant, sweet fragrance. The amazing honey from sourwood blossoms has a spicy aroma, sweet caramel taste, and pleasant aftertaste. Unlike most ornamental trees, the sourwood does not have many cultivars. A member of the heath family, Oxydendrum arboreum is primarily a hill country tree that has a range from Pennsylvania to the Gulf Coastal Plain. sourwood, sorrel tree, lily-of-the-valley tree. Sourwood Tree Facts: Learn About The Care Of Sourwood Trees By Teo Spengler Sourwood trees offer delight in every season. Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Sycamore diseases. Sourwood flowers are very attractive to bees, and sourwood honey is common in the South. The gourmet honey has a sweet buttery caramel flavor with a slightly peppery aftertaste. Leaf spots can discolor some leaves but are not serious other than causing premature defoliation. Sourwood Tree. Bare root plants need to be planted within 2-3 days of receiving unless weather-related problems prohibit planting. You should remove dead or decaying branches in early spring. Plant damage by borers like the dogwood twig borers or azalea stem borers can cause new twigs to die off or leaves to curl downward. It helps to amend the soil with compost to increase acidity and add sand or gravel to improve drainage. Prune an older tree to maintain its shape and remove pest-damaged, broken, rubbing or downward-growing limbs. 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. 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. 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. In addition, their relatively short stature provides plenty of interest at eye level and can be a great addition to your landscape. Common: Sourwood Tree, Lily-of-the-Valley Tree or Sorrel Tree. Provide the trees with generous irrigation all growing season when they are young. The range of trees does well within its USDA hardiness zone 5-9, but there is little margin for error if you push outside the zone. . Size: City trees are usually about 25-30' at maturity. To ensure healthy growth, its vital to choose a fertilizer for acid-loving trees. The scientific name for sourwood comes from the Greek words oxys (acid) and dendron (tree) and refers to the sour taste of its leaves. RM 2M871R1 - Close up of red fall foliage and flowers of a sourwood or sorrel tree Oxydendron arboreum in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Called Lily-of-the-Valley and Sorreltree also. The sourwood grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. In mid-summer, small, white, urn-shaped flowers mature on panicles. Small sourwood trees are usually planted as specimen trees to provide multi-season interest. Its honey, which has a medium to light color with heavy body, is slow to granulate. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! And the honey made from the flowers of the sourwood tree is prized by beekeepers and is often sold at a higher price. Fall foliage is red to reddish-purple. Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) with red leaves in the autumn. Honey made from the nectar of these flowers is highly prized for its color and flavor. To take care of sourwood trees, dont stint on water. Branching patterns and persistent fruit give the tree an interesting look in the winter. Too much cool air, humidity, and ground moisture can cause leaf spot fungi to affect foliage. Full sun to partial shade. 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. Sourwood Trees have a reputation of being very difficult to grow in domestication. Sourwood makes an excellent specimen tree, and can also be used in shrub borders with Rhododendron, Pieris and Leucothoe. Plant in full sun to partial shade and dry or moist soil, but ensure it is well-drained. Several fungal diseases can affect the growth of a sourwood tree. If there are issues with low bloom production, you might consider testing your soil for deficiencies, but until the tree is mature enough to set blooms, time and patience are your best friend. The flower panicles are long and slender and can curve upward, with the urn-shaped flowers dangling downward. The name Sourwood is derived from the acrid taste of its leaves, but tea made from these leaves is widely used by mountain climbers as a thirst-quencher. One of the first trees to color in the fall it . Sourwood trees near structures? Unfortunately, this feeding habit causes new sprouts and stems to die back, resulting in poor growth. Read on to learn about the planting and care of sourwood trees. The Sourwood Tree is a slow grower with an upright oval crown that is 25-30 feet high and 20 feet wide. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) grows in the upland forests of the southeastern United States. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazon's store. It would be best to trim off weak-looking branches to leave five to eight evenly spaced branches. Deep water by letting a hose or sprinkler trickle water around the base of the tree for several hours. Profile Video: See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: 'Chameleon' Colorful fall foliage display. Sourwood has no serious pest problems. With proper care, sourwoods can be ornamental overachievers. Also called the sorrel tree, a unique feature of the sourwood tree is that its the only species in the Oxydendrum genus. 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: Heat tolerant. This tree is especially common in Southeastern US. Leaf spot and twig blight infrequently occur on the Sourwood tree. It prefers full sun to part shade. The best way to water the tree is to apply a trickle of water over several hours to irrigate the roots thoroughly. This tree can easily be identified by their lush dark green foliage which turns a striking fiery red in . Sourwood leaves look like laurel leaves with finely toothed margins. This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 1324" per year. This virtually eliminates damping off as a problem. 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. 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. 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. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. It makes an excellent specimen or focus of the center of a garden surrounded by native perennials. Bare root plants need to be planted within 2-3 days of receiving unless weather-related problems prohibit planting. Sourwood tree's beautiful white flowers are also edible. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazon's . Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum. The bark is red-brown with deep vertical furrows that separate flat, pointed ridges. Once the seedlings appear, apply a diluted acidic fertilizer for seedlings every two weeks. Excellent fall color. Their larvae eat through and overwinter in the stem tissue. . The Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) is also known as the lily of the valley because of its beautiful flowers. Honeybees pollinate the flowers and feed on the sweet nectar. 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. . Her thousands of published articles cover topics from travel and gardening to pet care and technology. . A sourwood tree's leaves can be chewed to help quench thirst, made into tea, or added to salads, soups, or stews. Sourwood Tree Fertilization Sourwood trees can benefit from fertilization once a year in late fall. Family The Sourwood Tree is a member of the Heath family of which there are 70 Genera and 1800 species distributed through the temperate portions of the planet. The panicles persist after flowers drop and resemble long fingers. Provides great fall color, with leaves turning crimson, purplish-red and sometimes yellow in the fall. Possessing a light and exceptionally floral taste with notes of anise, spice, and gingerbread, sourwood honey is a premium product for most beekeepers. The hairy capsules ripen in late fall and contain tiny seeds. The leaves provide a tangy, tart flavor to stews when cooked. You can then dig your hole for planting a sourwood tree. Sycamore Diseases. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. Five-valved brownish dehiscent dry capsules , 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, that ripen to silver-gray in September and October. They are dark green in color and have a sour, acidic taste. In addition, its attractive summer green and white colors and excellent fall colors create a focal point throughout the growing seasons. It has a slow growth rate and no serious pest or disease problems. Flowers are fragrant and bloom poorly in the shade. Space sourwood 15 to 20 feet apart; the tree grows 25 to 35 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. Pests are usually not a problem for Sourwood. My Purple Plum Tree Looks Black Like Fungus: What Is This? The fall color is a striking red and orange which is rivaled by only a few other trees such as Blackgum, Chinese Pistache, the pears, and Chinese Tallowtree. Fall webworm can defoliate portions of the tree in summer and fall but usually control is not needed. Capsules contrast well with the red fall color and provide continuing ornamental interest after leaf drop into winter. Sourwood tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum) is a small deciduous tree that's native to eastern North America. Techniques have been described for sourwood seed collection, storage, and germination (2,5,14). Sourwood tree fruit persists on the tree until winter. Native Americans utilized sourwood branches for arrow shafts. The botanical equivalent of operatic divas, sourwood trees (Oxydendrum arboreum) compensate for their temperamental quirks with four-season performance. Passionate for travel and the well-written word, Judy Wolfe is a professional writer with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Cal Poly Pomona and a certificate in advanced floral design. You can also use a tree fertilizer with an NPK rating of 10-10-10. Sourwoods require a well-drained acid soil. It is native primarily to the southeastern United States and commonly found on well-drained upland slopes. This plant does not like to be transplanted so only do so with young plants. The flowers of the sourwood tree are white and blooming occurs in late spring or early summer. After two weeks, you can transplant the seedlings to the ground. The leaves of the sourwood tree are oblong-shaped and have a leathery texture. The lack of cultivars is because the nursery trade has raised the breeding stock and found many significant mutations to breed. Ewing is located in USDA Zone 6b. The bitter-tasting leaves are alternate, stalked, rather oblong, and 12-20 cm (5-8 inches) long. Silvery seed capsules continue well into winter, after the scarlet- and-orange autumn leaves drop. For questions about home gardening, landscaping or commercial horticulture production, please contact your county extension agent. 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 best care you can give it is knowing what it likes and doesn't like. Culture: Sun to part shade. Grow sourwood trees in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Sourwood is a tree for all seasons, rewarding you with year-round beauty, according to native plant enthusiast Helen Hamilton of Williamsburg. When fully grown, these products can reach 30-60 feet and prefer well-drained soils. Also, keep a 5-foot (1.5-meter) clearance beneath the canopy by removing limbs from the tree. The forest floor is covered in fallen leaves, which break down into leaf mold; this is the fungal material of decomposing leaves. Sourwood is not too site-demanding and has very few insect or disease problems, making it a low maintenance landscape plant. Sourwood trees can benefit from fertilization once a year in late fall. oxydendrum arboretum sourwood Share: facebook twitter pinterest googleplus linkedin James R. Fazio Taking Care Of Sourwood Tree Bright sunlight is a must for sourwood trees. Root problems typify a number of the . Prevent the problem with weekly watering during dry spells when its actively growing. The flowers themselves have a slight fragrance and are 1/4" long. Wood is heavy, hard, and closegrained, but is seldom used as a commercial wood. One of the most well-known products from the sourwood tree is the hard-to-find and incredibly delicious honey. How to Water and Feed Sourwood. 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. However, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech, the sourwood tree can be difficult to start in your garden: "Despite its grace and beauty, sourwood trees are. 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. HU-278742553. The sweet nectar and sap of the sourwood led to early colonists and Native Americans utilizing it for a variety of things. Sourwood trees are bee magnets! Then by summer, the tree is in bloom with rows of beautiful urn-shaped flowers. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum). Gourmet honey is produced by the many bees that are attracted to the nectar-laden flowers. sourwood. Can live 100200 years if planted in the right site. In the wild, its bark often looks blocky like that of persimmon. An interesting feature of sourwood tree bark is that twigs and branches emerge bright red before turning gray. In time, the flowers produce dry seed capsules that ripen in autumn. It does well with the protection of other tall shrubs and trees and does not tolerate drought or urban pollution. Store in a cool place and keep roots moist . The best way to propagate sourwood trees is by collecting seeds, but even then, the seeds can be difficult to germinate. Lastly, add a 2 to 3 (5 7.5 cm) layer of organic mulch to help keep the soil moist and control weeds. There are many interesting facts regarding the sourwood tree. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution injury. Sourwood trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. 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. Also, weevils (Conotrachelus anaglypticus) can damage new growth like buds, shoots, and leaves. (zones 5-9). In autumn, you can recognize the sourwood tree by the rows of brown fruit standing erect on curving stems. The main consideration is watering newly transplanted trees in order to get them to establish themselves. They can grow to 8 inches (20 cm.) 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Sourwood requires an acidic soil that is moist and well-drained. 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). Again, its native habit will inform you greatly to its preferred environment. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. It is the ideal ornamental tree when it reaches maturity when it can bloom after about its fifth season. The growth rate is 2-3 feet each year. In summer, when most trees are done blooming, Sourwood will grace your yard with gorgeous lacy sprays of small, fragrant white flowers that resemble . There are few sights that are as striking as a row of Sourwood in fall color. In its native habitat Sourwood can grow up to 60' x 100'. The name sourwood comes from the trees bitter yet edible foliage. 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. Individual sourwood flowers are small, regular, symmetrically shaped, fragrant, and showy. Honey made by bees from its flowers is highly prized and . Provide additional fertilizer in late fall to increase the soils nutrient content. Plant Clinic Manager. It is tolerant of shade and dry soils and moderately tolerant of salt. The largest known sourwood in North America is in Robbinsville, N.C. To propagate a sourwood tree from seed, you need a seedling tray filled with a moist potting medium. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insects. Sourwood sprouts often interfere with the establishment of more desirable species in second . Trimming off weak-looking branches and leaving five to eight evenly spaced branches would be ideal. To plant a sourwood tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the trees root ball and the same depth. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Honey Jar Mock-Up - Male hands holding a honey jar on a gray. However, there seems to be agreement that the most difficult problems for sourwood arise because of its exacting cultural requirements as stated above. Full Sun or Shade for a Crimson Queen Maple. Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day), Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight), Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). N-318 Ag Sciences Center University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0091, Fax (Lexington): 859-257-2859 (Princeton): 270-365-2667. Sourwood tree fruit: immature (left) and mature (right). It has simple, alternate, 3 to 8 inch, elongated leaves with finely toothed edges. A study by Markus Glocker at the University of Vienna, Austria found that sourwood honey is effective against "the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus hirae", which can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems. Its vital to prune a sourwood tree when its young to help develop an attractive shape. 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.