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Description
Oxydendrum Arboreum, commonly known as Sourwood, is a deciduous tree that belongs to the heath family. It is native to eastern North America, from southern Pennsylvania to northern Florida, and west to Arkansas and Texas. The tree can grow up to 30 feet tall and has a narrow, pyramidal shape. The bark is gray-brown and smooth when young, but becomes rough and furrowed with age. The leaves are alternate, simple, and elliptical, measuring 3-8 inches long and 1-3 inches wide. They turn a beautiful red color in the fall, making the tree a popular choice for landscaping.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Ericales |
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Genus | Oxydendrum |
Appearance
The Sourwood tree has a narrow, pyramidal shape with a rounded crown. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and has a spread of 20 feet. The bark is gray-brown and smooth when young, but becomes rough and furrowed with age. The leaves are alternate, simple, and elliptical, measuring 3-8 inches long and 1-3 inches wide. They are dark green in the summer and turn a beautiful red color in the fall, making the tree a popular choice for landscaping. The flowers are white, bell-shaped, and appear in clusters at the ends of the branches in late June to early July. The fruit is a 5-valved capsule that splits open to release the seeds.
Care Guide
The Sourwood tree prefers well-drained, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. Here are some tips for caring for your Sourwood tree:
- Water: Water your tree deeply once a week during the growing season, and reduce watering in the fall and winter.
- Fertilization: Fertilize your tree with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in the spring.
- Soil: Plant your tree in well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 4.5-6.0.
- Sunlight: Plant your tree in full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness Zones: The Sourwood tree is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Sourwood tree is relatively pest and disease resistant, but here are some issues to watch out for:
- Sourwood Leafminer: This pest can cause brown spots on the leaves, but is rarely serious enough to warrant treatment.
- Sourwood Twig Blight: This fungal disease can cause dieback of the twigs and branches. Prune infected branches and improve air circulation to prevent the disease from spreading.
- Root Rot: This fungal disease can be caused by overwatering or poorly drained soil. Improve drainage and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Habitat
The Sourwood tree is native to eastern North America, from southern Pennsylvania to northern Florida, and west to Arkansas and Texas. It grows in hardwood forests and on rocky slopes, often in association with oak and hickory trees. It is also commonly planted as an ornamental tree in landscaping.
Question and Answer
Q: Is the Sourwood tree drought tolerant?
A: While the Sourwood tree prefers well-drained soil and regular watering, it can tolerate some drought once established.
Q: Can the Sourwood tree grow in full shade?
A: While the Sourwood tree prefers full sun to partial shade, it can tolerate some shade.
Q: Does the Sourwood tree have any medicinal uses?
A: The bark of the Sourwood tree has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever and diarrhea.
Q: Is the Sourwood tree toxic to pets?
A: While the Sourwood tree is not known to be toxic to pets, it is always a good idea to supervise your pets when they are around plants.
Related Plants
- Oxydendrum arboreum ‘James’ (James Sourwood)
- Oxydendrum arboreum ‘Prairie Pink’ (Prairie Pink Sourwood)
- Oxydendrum arboreum ‘Sugar Shack’ (Sugar Shack Sourwood)
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Oxydendrum Arboreum
- North Carolina State University Extension: Oxydendrum Arboreum
- Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service: Sourwood
