Sourwood Tree

Sourwood Tree 

The Sourwood Tree Seedling or Oxydendrum arboretum, as it is known scientifically, is also known as the sorrel tree.

It is the only species that is the only species in the genus Oxydendrum, in the Ericaceae family. Native to eastern North America, the Sourwood Tree is most common in the lower region of the Appalachian Mountains. This tree is considered a shrub since it is small, growing to 33–66 feet tall with a trunk up to 20 inches in diameter. The Sourwood Tree is deciduous, producing finely serrated leaves. Dark green-colored leaves bloom in the summer, turning a brilliant red in the fall. Sourwood Tree Flowers are bell-shaped and white with long panicles, while the tree’s fruit is a small woody capsule. The bark of the Sourwood Tree is greyish-red, deeply furrowed, and scaly.

Care and Maintenance

Since the Sourwood Tree has shallow roots, the seeds take time to germinate when planted. To ensure success with your Sourwood Tree Seedlings, plant the seedlings indoors and then transplant the tree outside once the seedlings are 1 foot tall. It is best to begin this process in January. Fill containers with a medium mixture of equal parts peat moss perlite. Water the medium until moist but not sopping wet. Cover over the seedling tray and place under fluorescent lights for 24 hours per day until the seeds germinate within three to four weeks. Once sprouted, fertilize your Sourwood Tree Seedlings every two weeks with an acidic fertilizer diluted per the instructions on fertilizer for sprouts. It would help if you thinned the sprouts by pinching the strongest one in the cell. When your Sourwood Tree Seedlings reach 6 inches high, remove the cover and place the tray outside in a shaded area. Plant in the spring after the frost has ended. Please leave them in the tray for two weeks.

To plant your Sourwood Tree Seedling:

1. Prepare a 3-inch by 3-inch hole in a sunny area of your garden since this tree needs sun to grow.
2. Fill the hole with water and drain.
3. Lift the biggest seedling out of its tray and carefully place it in the hole, ensuring the hole is as deep as that of the seedling tray.
4. Fill in with soil, tamp down manually to remove air pockets, then water lightly to moisten roots.
5. Spread a 4-foot circle of mulch 1 foot from the Sourwood Tree Seedling.

Considerations

Your Sourwood Trees will delight all who see them. It is a late bloomer, so the leaves changing in the fall to their vivid red color will make your garden spectacular. If you are planting for harvesting, the Sourwood tree is famous for its nectar and honey, and its blooms are used to make sourwood jelly.

Sourwood Trees are available at TN Nursery at great prices and fast shipping.

Shipping Information

We dig fresh our plants and ship immediately. We ship US Mail, Priority shipping. You will receive a tracking number once your plants ship. All plants will be fine in their packages for up to 3 days after receiving.

How We Protect Your Plants For Transit

We sell only bare root plants. We dip the roots in tera-sorb silicone gel to retain ample moisture for transit and surround with plastic. This is superior protection for plants in transit for up to 12 days.

Upon Receipt Of Your Plants

Open your plants and inspect the same day received. We offer 3 days to report any problems with your order. Bare root plants need to be planted within 2-3 days of receiving unless weather-related problems prohibit planting. Store in a cool place and keep roots moist and covered with plastic until they can be planted. Water for the first week daily after planting.