Grow a stunning native American tree with spectacular fall color, fragrant summer blooms, and a rich history of medicinal and culinary use. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a prized ornamental tree beloved by gardeners, beekeepers, and naturalists alike.

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🌳 About Sourwood – Sorrel Tree

Native to the eastern United States (Pennsylvania south to Florida and Louisiana), Sourwood is a graceful deciduous understory tree with a straight, slender trunk and narrow crown. In cultivation it typically reaches 20–25 feet tall; in the wild it can grow to 50–60 feet.

• Foliage: Glossy, finely-toothed leaves (5–8" long) with a pleasant sour taste — hence the name. Turns brilliant crimson red in fall, one of the most reliable fall-color trees in the East.
• Flowers: Waxy, lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers on drooping panicles (4–8" long) in early summer. Lightly fragrant and highly attractive to bees.
• Bark: Fissured, ridged, and scaly gray bark adds winter interest.
• Hardiness Zone: 5–9

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🍯 Famous for Sourwood Honey

Sourwood honey is one of the most prized honeys in North America — considered by many to surpass clover, orange blossom, and fireweed honey in flavor. Planting Sourwood is a favorite choice of backyard beekeepers.

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🌿 Medicinal & Edible Uses

• Leaves: Cardiac, diuretic, refrigerant, and tonic properties. Leaf tea traditionally used for asthma, diarrhea, indigestion, and excessive menstrual bleeding.
• Diuretic use: Folk remedy for fevers, kidney, and bladder ailments.
• Bark: Chewed traditionally for mouth ulcers.
• Edible leaves: Raw leaves have a pleasant, thirst-quenching acid flavor.

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🪵 Wood Properties

Sourwood wood is heavy, hard, attractive, and very close-grained (46 lb/cu ft). Used for paneling, tool handles, bearings, and fine woodworking.

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🌱 Growing Information

• Type: Deciduous understory tree
• Mature Height: 20–25 ft (cultivated); up to 60 ft (wild)
• Hardiness Zone: 5–9
• Native Range: Eastern United States
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil
• Bloom Time: Early summer
• Fall Color: Brilliant crimson red

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I germinate Sourwood seeds?
Sourwood seeds benefit from cold stratification. Place seeds in a moist paper towel inside a sealed bag and refrigerate for 60–90 days before sowing on the surface of moist, acidic seed-starting mix. Keep warm and moist; germination typically occurs within 2–4 weeks after stratification.

What soil does Sourwood prefer?
Sourwood thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.0), similar to the conditions preferred by azaleas and blueberries. Avoid alkaline or compacted soils.

How fast does Sourwood grow?
Sourwood is a slow to moderate grower, typically adding 6–12 inches per year under good conditions. Patience is rewarded with a long-lived, stunning specimen tree.

Is Sourwood good for pollinators?
Absolutely — Sourwood is one of the top honey-producing trees in the eastern US. Its fragrant summer flowers are a magnet for honeybees and native pollinators, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens.

What hardiness zones does Sourwood grow in?
Sourwood is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the eastern and central United States.