Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Fall webworm is an occasional problem. It would be best to trim off weak-looking branches to leave five to eight evenly spaced branches. They are similar to lily of the valley flowers, providing an alternate common name. The sourwood is the only species in the genus Oxydendrum. A fountain of flowers cascading from the treetops is the best description of the native Sourwood Tree, Oxydendrum arboreum. The panicles persist after flowers drop and resemble long fingers. 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. Sourwood is one of the first trees to turn fall colors in the Eastern forest. Moderately resistant to deer damage. Store in a cool place and keep roots moist . Sourwood Care. Sourwood is a beautiful decorative tree suitable for growing in full sun to partial shade in residential garden landscapes. Similarly, the hickory horned devil caterpillar can attack sourwood leaves in late spring. The simple leaves have a conspicuous midrib and fine feather-like veining. Also, remove limbs off the tree to keep a 5 ft. (1.5 m) space under the canopy. A thread in the Trees, Shrubs and Conifers forum, titled Oxydendrum arboreum seed germination help needed. Sourwood tree is a plant that is native to eastern North America. 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. I'm in the earliest stages of planning a house. Despite its grace and beauty, sourwood trees are notorious for being difficult to establish in landscapes. . Root problems typify a number of the . Tom Potterfield / Flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Unlike most ornamental trees, the sourwood does not have many cultivars. The common name derives from the sour taste of the leaves, which are finely toothed and glossy. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. To plant a sourwood tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the trees root ball and the same depth. The Sourwood trees are native to the Black Mountains and Appalachian mountains regions that extend from the south of New York to eastern Canada. Sourwood trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. The tree has laurel-like alternate leaves that are finely toothed and sour to the taste. 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 tree can be identified by its large, glossy green lanceolate leaves that turn bright red to reddish-purple color in the fall. Because sourwoods grow well in partial shade, they are excellent under-story trees. effective for aging men having kidney and bladder problems. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a small deciduous tree in the heath family Ericaceae. 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. Keep the fertilizer at least 1 foot away from a young trees trunk; expand the clear zone to 1 1/2 feet for an older sourwood. Sourwood Tree Seedlings or better known as Oxydendron Arboretum. Just the Facts. 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. Leaf spot and twig blight infrequently occur on the Sourwood tree. This plant blooms in early summer, and blooms up the axis. Sourwood is a pyramidal to oval tree that grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. First, the trees dont tolerate urban pollution and wont thrive in city environments. You can find the tree growing in the foothills and mountainsides. Join in The Morton Arboretum's mission to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Place the young tree in the center, ensuring that it grows at the same height as before. Leaves contain oxalic acid and acidic to taste. Additionally, the tree produces small urn-shaped flowers that look like lily-of-the-valley flowers. The leaves are used as a thirst-quencher by hikers and mountain climbers, and were once brewed to make a tonic. Another great tree that will fill out any landscape! The sourwood can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 59. The circle should extend beyond the drip line by one-half the distance between the trunk and the ends of the branches. Click this article to learn about the planting and care of sourwood trees. Planting sourwood next to black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) makes for a great fall color combination. 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. Come discover lush, green landscapes, and find respite and inspiration in the shade of towering trees. Sourwood has a deep and fibrous root system and has a reputation for being difficult to transplant or move. Order Your Sourwood Tree From TN Nursery Today Even the straight species is difficult to find in the trade without looking for the plant in a specialty store. Twigs are seemingly terminated by a leaf and bud, but bud is axillary and minute stem growth is adjacent. . They bloom during mid-summer. Irrigation is required during hot, dry weather to keep leaves on the tree. Plant in full sun to partial shade and dry or moist soil, but ensure it is well-drained. 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. However, it can do significant damage to your trees leaves. Sourwood has no serious pests or diseases. Instead, you can collect the seeds from the brown seed capsules and start to germinate them in January. Sign up for our newsletter. 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. Keep the soil evenly moist. Leaf spots can discolor some leaves but are not serious other than causing premature defoliation. That being said, here are a few of the rare cultivars to have actually made it into cultivation in the trade: Pruning the sourwood is a pure joy as it is very slow-growing, and the only worries you should have are pruning the tree for structure and establishing a single leader. Usually, its best to call in professionals to deal with the pest problem. Lets look in more detail at caring for a sourwood tree. Blooms are effective for 3 to 4 weeks. The Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) is also known as the lily of the valley because of its beautiful flowers. Twig blight kills leaves at the branch tips. Tea made out of sourwood plant leaves and flowers can cure various disease problems, including asthma, nausea, and fever. A young sourwood tree may begin to flower when it is only 3 to 4 feet tall. Also, keep a 5-foot (1.5-meter) clearance beneath the canopy by removing limbs from the tree. Descriptions and pictures of sourwood flowers, leaves, and fruit will help you see where to plant this stunning specimen tree. Prune out infected branch tips and fertilize. Honey from the sourwood tree is known as North Carolina's most famous . Branches droop toward the ground forming a graceful outline when planted as a single specimen. Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum. Sourwood Common Problems. Depending on the fungal infection, cankers can form on the twigs or branches, or leaf spots can appear on the foliage. In addition, its attractive summer green and white colors and excellent fall colors create a focal point throughout the growing seasons. Common names: 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. Grows in Zones 5-9, Deciduous. 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. Another way to ensure a sourwood tree gets enough nutrients is to apply rotted manure or organic compost every spring. Sourwoods are notorious for bad transplanting, so it's vital that you adequately water the newly planted tree. . Sourwood Tree Seedlings for Planting | 1-2 Feet Tall Live Tree Plants - Stunning Red Leaves and White Flowers (2 Trees) $42.96 $ 42. Sourwood Tree Fertilization Sourwood trees can benefit from fertilization once a year in late fall. With proper care, sourwoods can be ornamental overachievers. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. They have a sour taste, hence the common name. . In autumn, sourwood leaves develop colorful fall foliage in vibrant shades of crimson red to burgundy and purple. sourwood. Enter keywords to search on the arboretum map. An interesting feature of sourwood tree bark is that twigs and branches emerge bright red before turning gray. Grows to 25'-30', 20' spread. Is sourwood hard to grow? A properly watered sourwood can survive for more than 75 years. Small Business. This tree produces fragrant, white sprays of flowers in early summer. Her thousands of published articles cover topics from travel and gardening to pet care and technology. Sourwood tree facts tell you that the scientific name is Oxydendrum arboretum. It is reportedly sensitive to air pollution. Sourwood Tree Seedlings produce white flowers during the Summer months. Full sun to partial shade. It is not snobby like some ornamentals which require fussing and tending. 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. In its native habitat Sourwood can grow up to 60' x 100'. Sourwood Tree Facts: Learn About The Care Of Sourwood Trees By Teo Spengler Sourwood trees offer delight in every season.