For graduate student information, contact Dr. Mark Williams at (859) 257-1758, or mark.williams@uky.edu. The Sourwood tree, also called the Oxydendrum arboreum in scientific terminology, is an aboriginal plant of North America. Tom Potterfield / Flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Just like the leaves, these flowers also have a fresh, acidic taste. Getting rid of borers that infest a sourwood tree can be challenging. Let your sourwood establish for a year before fertilizing. Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum. The gourmet honey has a sweet buttery caramel flavor with a slightly peppery aftertaste. Sourwood is important as a source of honey in some areas and sourwood honey is marketed locally. The hairy capsules ripen in late fall and contain tiny seeds. RM R8WEF4 - Sourwood tree, used by the Cherokee for arrow shafts, Qualla Reservation, North Carolina. 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. Also, remove limbs off the tree to keep a 5 ft. (1.5 m) space under the canopy. It has simple, alternate, 3 to 8 inch, elongated leaves with finely toothed edges. The slender clusters of bell-like flowers measure 4 to 8 (10 20 cm) long. "With no major pests or diseases, this native . If youve never heard of sourwood trees, you have missed out on one of the most beautiful native species. The nectar-laden flowers are also a source of honey. The new growth that appears is a bronze color with large, dark-green leaves that turn orange and scarlet in color in the Fall. This tree can easily be identified by their lush dark green foliage which turns a striking fiery red in . Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on peoples lives. Lumber is used for tool handles and was once used to make wagon sled runners. It would be best to trim off weak-looking branches to leave five to eight evenly spaced branches. Pests are usually not a problem for Sourwood. He describes himself as a "tree-hugging dirt worshipper" who is a member of multiple gardening societies and foundations. Prune sourwood in early spring before its new growth starts. Waxy, lily-of-the-valley-like, white bell-shaped flowers that bloom on slender, second on axis, drooping, one-sided slender terminal panicles (4 to 8 inches long) from June to July. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazon's . They bloom during mid-summer. 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: Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. The dense, glossy green foliage appears in spring, and the branches have a somewhat weeping or drooping habit. The tree does reasonably well in dry, neutral soils. Gray bark with reddish tinges helps to identify sourwood trees. The sour-tasting leaves have short petioles and grow alternately on the trees stems. After filling the hole, press down the soil to remove air pockets and thoroughly water the ground. After the seedlings have developed two leaves, keep only the strongest ones and discard the rest. Pennsylvania to Florida, west to Louisiana and Ohio. The common name derives from the sour taste of the leaves, which are finely toothed and glossy. . A young sourwood tree may begin to flower when it is only 3 to 4 feet tall. Fertilizing before maturity will create more work for you and weaker wood on the branches. For an ornamental plant, the sourwood does not have huge levels of thirst. Sourwood is a tree for all seasons and is found in the forest understory, along roadsides and a pioneering tree in clearings. While not incredibly high in nutrients, this organic material makes a great soil amendment that the sourwood thrives in naturally. Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist and member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care. Plant Clinic Manager. . 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. With proper care, sourwoods can be ornamental overachievers. Prevent the problem with weekly watering during dry spells when its actively growing. 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. Trimming off weak-looking branches and leaving five to eight evenly spaced branches would be ideal. Provide additional fertilizer in late fall to increase the soils nutrient content. Sourwood has no serious disease or pest problems. (sourwood), leaves, fall color, Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. Sourwoods are not drought-tolerant plants and require plenty of moisture during the growing seasons. Slow growth rate to 30 feet (9 m) in cultivation, greater in the wild. Gourmet honey is produced by the many bees that are attracted to the nectar-laden flowers. You can find them growing in oak-heath forests, near riverbanks, and along roadsides. Its leaves are rich green and turn yellow, red, and purple in the fall. N-318 Ag Sciences Center University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0091, Fax (Lexington): 859-257-2859 (Princeton): 270-365-2667. 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. Branching patterns and persistent fruit give the tree an interesting look in the winter. The flower panicles are long and slender and can curve upward, with the urn-shaped flowers dangling downward. View Map. Sourwood tree facts tell you that the scientific name is Oxydendrum arboretum. 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. Fall webworm can defoliate portions of the tree in summer and fall but usually control is not needed. 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. If you are considering planting sourwood trees, youll be glad to learn that the foliage produces excellent fall color, consistently turning a bright crimson. Resistant to fire. 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. First, the trees dont tolerate urban pollution and wont thrive in city environments. Sourwood tree can be identified by its large, glossy green lanceolate leaves that turn bright red to reddish-purple color in the fall. It does well with the protection of other tall shrubs and trees and does not tolerate drought or urban pollution. Sourwood trees are co-sexual (both male and female parts within each flower) with very noticeable and unique flowering structures. Les Engles achieved Master Gardener through theCamden County Extension of the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program. Below are common attributes associated to Sourwood Tree. By late August, it is common to see foliage of young sourwood trees along roadsides beginning to turn red. Sourwood, (Oxydendrum Arboreum), excellent fall color, slightly fragrant flowers, low maintenance, planting zones 5-9, blooms June-July WoodenFishFarms (703) $31.95 100 Lily of the Valley Sourwood Seeds (Oxydendrum arboreum) | Honey Bee Tree AllSunshineGardening (2,374) $2.95 FREE shipping FREE delivery Jan 25 - 31 . Copyright 2023, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Sourwood is a pyramidal to oval tree that grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. Common: Sourwood Tree, Lily-of-the-Valley Tree or Sorrel Tree. Bare root plants need to be planted within 2-3 days of receiving unless weather-related problems prohibit planting. This plant does not like to be transplanted so only do so with young plants. 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. Hardy in planting zones 4-9. Sourwood Honey is one of the most sought after honeys in the world. Leaves are dark, lustrous green and appear to weep or hang from the twigs. Small sourwood trees are usually planted as specimen trees to provide multi-season interest. The abundant fragrant flowers give the sourwood tree a soft textured appearance when blooming in midsummer. It is 118 feet tall with a 2-foot trunk. It will take some supplemental watering when extreme dry weather sets in, but it can stand some drought conditions for a time. Find on the Map. They are dark green in color and have a sour, acidic taste. 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. Young sourwood trees with green and red leaves. 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. 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. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. Julie Janoski. Sourwood tree bark has recognizable deep furrows with patterns resembling alligator hide. Sourwood thrives in low-saline, acidic soil with a pH between 3.7 and 6.5 with consistent moisture and good drainage. It is tolerant of shade and dry soils and moderately tolerant of salt. Keep the soil evenly moist. Sourwood trees require minimal pruning when established. I was hoping to get a sourwood tree from my local nursery for the yard but I read some discouraging facts. 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's bark is grayish brown tinged with red, and deeply furrowed with scaly ridges. They are similar to lily of the valley flowers, providing an alternate common name. He is an arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience. Prune an older tree to maintain its shape and remove pest-damaged, broken, rubbing or downward-growing limbs. Webworms create web nests on the ends of branches and come out to feed on the tender leaves. Sign up for our newsletter. . And the honey made from the flowers of the sourwood tree is prized by beekeepers and is often sold at a higher price. "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 trees near structures? . PLANTFILES. The dark, thick, furrowed bark is a major winter asset. This plant does not like to be transplanted so only do so with young plants. 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.