Arkansas Tree Database

Sourwood

Sourwood

Scientific name:

Oxydendrum Arboreum

Size:

25' tall by 15' wide

Leaves:

alternate, simple, 4"-7" long, with fine teeth

Flowers:

small and white, urn-shaped, in pendant panicles, resembling lily-of-the-valley flowers; June

Fruit:

1/3" long capsule, ornamental

Fall Interest:

exceptional red, purple, and/or yellow; deciduous

Culture:

sun or light shade; deep, moist, rich, acidic, well-drained soil; probably best suited to northwest Arkansas

Disease/Insect:

Use:

small flowering specimen, lawn tree, with multi-season interest; very attractive to bees and valued for honey

Cultivars:

Notes:

bark thin and easily injured; upright oval shape; "sour" refers to taste of leaves; native to eastern and southern US

Resources:

https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/sourwood.aspx

Click thumbnail to enlarge images

Sourwood bark on trunk Sourwood bark on trunk Sourwood flowers, with upside-down urn shape, in long slender panicle Sourwood flowers Sourwood fall foliage with spent flower stalk Sourwood flowers, with upside-down urn shape, in long slender panicle Sourwood foliage and blooms Sourwood leaves, showing finely toothed margins Sourwood leaves, showing alternate arrangement Sourwood foliage and blooms Sourwood leaves, fall Sourwood leaves, showing finely toothed margins, summer Sourwood tree in bloom Sourwood tree in bloom Sourwood tree in bloom Sourwood tree, winter