Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum

Oxydendrum arboreum, or Sourwood, is a deciduous small tree that may grow 20 to 30 feet tall and a trunk 8 to 12 inches in diameter. It is native to North Carolina and can be found throughout the state, although more rarely in the low, alluvial plain. The tree has laurel-like alternate leaves that are finely toothed and sour to the taste. The bark is red-brown with deep vertical furrows that separate flat, pointed ridges. In mid-summer, small, white, urn-shaped flowers mature on panicles. The tree produces 5-valved capsules borne on panicles that mature in the fall and release the very tiny, 2-winged seeds. Fall foliage is red to reddish-purple. Terminal inflorescences resemble the elongated, bony fingers of a witch. This plant blooms in early summer, and blooms up the axis. Blooms are effective for 3 to 4 weeks. Flowers are fragrant and bloom poorly in the shade.

This plant prefers acidic, peaty, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It is tolerant of shade and dry soils and moderately tolerant of salt. It is intolerant of pollution and urban areas. It has a slow growth rate and no serious pest or disease problems. It makes an excellent specimen or understory tree or planted in small groups in a woodland garden. It does well with the protection of other tall shrubs and trees and does not tolerate drought or urban pollution. A very ornamental plant, it will flower in 4 to 5 years after planting from seed.

It gets its common name, Lily of the Valley Tree, because its flowers look similar to those of the Lily of the Valley plant. Honey made from the nectar of these flowers is highly prized for its color and flavor.

 Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: 

Fall webworm is an occasional problem. Leaf spot and twig blight infrequently occur on the Sourwood tree.  This plant does not like to be transplanted so only do so with young plants.