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Sourwood

Oxydendrum Arboreum

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Overview

The Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a deciduous tree, notable for its slender, pyramidal shape reaching 25-30 ft in mature height. It features lanceolate leaves, 5-8 inches long, which turn vibrant red in fall. Delicate, white, lily-of-the-valley-like flowers bloom in early summer, forming drooping clusters up to 10 inches long. This acid soil-loving tree prefers full sun to partial shade and offers excellent fall color and ornamental interest.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 3–9Type TreeClimate Temperate
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — though it can occasionally soar upwards of 50 feet under optimal conditions
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — pyramidal shape reaching 25-30 ft in mature heightSourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — botanically named Oxydendrum arboreumSourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — the tree blooms with copious white; it should be noted that this tree does not transplant easily due to its deep taprootSourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — It should be noted that this tree does not transplant easily due to its deep taproot; thereforeSourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — tree with white bloomsSourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — the Sourwood requires little maintenance and is relatively pest and disease-free+76

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
3–9

Shape & size

Mature height
20–50 Ft.
Mature width
10–25 Ft.

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Ericaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (83)

Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — though it can occasionally soar upwards of 50 feet under optimal conditions
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — pyramidal shape reaching 25-30 ft in mature height
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — botanically named Oxydendrum arboreum
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — the tree blooms with copious white; it should be noted that this tree does not transplant easily due to its deep taproot
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — It should be noted that this tree does not transplant easily due to its deep taproot; therefore
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — tree with white blooms
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — the Sourwood requires little maintenance and is relatively pest and disease-free
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — the Sourwood requires little maintenance and is relatively pest and disease-free; they undergo a spectacular, image 56
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — careful site selection and preparation are crucial for successful establishment
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — the tree blooms with copious white; it should be noted that this tree does not transplant easily due to its deep, image 51
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — This ornamental beauty typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 30 feet with a spread of 10 to 15 feet, image 47
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — forming drooping clusters up to 10 inches long; lily-of-the-valley-like flowers that cascade in 4 to 10 inch long panicles
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — though it can occasionally soar upwards of 50 feet under optimal conditions; well-drained soils and thrives in full sun to
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — lily-of-the-valley-like flowers that cascade in 4 to 10 inch long panicles; the Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is, image 52
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — making it a resilient addition to a low-maintenance garden; the Sourwood requires little maintenance and is relatively pest
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — showcasing brilliant shades of crimson; this ornamental beauty typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 30 feet, image 50
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — It features lanceolate leaves, 5-8 inches long, which turn vibrant red in fall; white flowers in the garden
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — This ornamental beauty typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 30 feet with a spread of 10 to 15 feet; botanically named
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — making it a resilient addition to a low-maintenance garden
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — lily-of-the-valley-like flowers bloom in early summer
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — they undergo a spectacular transformation
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — lily-of-the-valley-like flowers bloom in early summer; forming drooping clusters up to 10 inches long
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — It features lanceolate leaves, 5-8 inches long, which turn vibrant red in fall; white flowers in the garden, image 63
Sourwood (Oxydendrum Arboreum) — botanically named Oxydendrum arboreum; tree with white blooms
Photographs by 8 contributors

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