Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

Sourwood is a small to medium deciduous tree grown for fragrant summer flowers and bright red fall color. It prefers acidic moist soil and good drainage.

Key Facts

  • Deciduous small to medium tree native to eastern North America.
  • Fragrant, white urn shaped flowers appear in showy panicles in early to mid summer.
  • Leaves turn red to burgundy in fall.
  • Prefers acidic, moist but well drained soils.
  • Attractive to bees and pollinators and prized for sourwood honey.
  • Typical landscape height is commonly smaller than wild specimens.
  • Not tolerant of prolonged poor drainage.

Sourwood is a small to medium deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It is grown for fragrant white summer flowers and bright red to burgundy fall color while requiring acidic moist soil and good drainage.

Identification

Sourwood has fragrant, white urn shaped flowers in showy panicles in early to mid summer and leaves that turn red to burgundy in autumn. Typical cultivated specimens reach about 20 to 40 feet tall with a crown spread commonly 15 to 30 feet. The tree is valued for scent and summer floral display.

Best uses and landscape placement

Use Sourwood as a specimen or focal tree in a small to medium yard and in native or pollinator plantings. Bees favor the flowers and the species is prized for sourwood honey. Plan for a modest mature size in designed landscapes since wild specimens can grow larger than nursery trees.

Site selection and soil

Choose a site with acidic, moist but well drained soil such as loam or sandy loam. Sourwood prefers soil roughly pH 4.5 to 6.5 and will decline in alkaline or poorly drained conditions. Avoid low spots where water stands after rain.

Planting and spacing

Space trees to match an expected 15 to 30 foot crown spread. Plant so the root flare sits at the finished soil surface and avoid planting deeper than the nursery root ball. Mulch to conserve moisture but keep mulch pulled back from the trunk.

Watering and seasonal care

Keep soil evenly moist during establishment and water during dry spells to maintain vigor. Sourwood does not tolerate prolonged poor drainage and will show decline if roots sit in water. Prune only as needed to maintain form and remove any crossing branches.

Propagation and nursery notes

Propagation is commonly by seed or grafting. Nursery stock is often grafted to ensure consistent traits and predictable growth habit. Rooted cuttings can be challenging and are less commonly used for large scale production.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Sourwood grow?
Growth is moderate and depends on soil and climate. Mature landscape trees commonly reach about 20 to 40 feet in time and rate varies with site conditions.
Is Sourwood suitable for small yards?
Yes when planted as a single specimen. Expect a typical landscape height smaller than wild specimens and plan spacing for a 15 to 30 foot crown.
When does Sourwood bloom?
Flowering occurs in early to mid summer with fragrant white panicles, timing shifts with local climate and elevation.
What soil pH does Sourwood prefer?
It prefers acidic soils roughly pH 4.5 to 6.5 and does poorly in alkaline soils.
Is Sourwood tolerant of wet soils?
No. It is not tolerant of prolonged poor drainage and will decline where roots remain waterlogged.

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