sourwood tree problems sourwood tree problems

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Fall webworm is an occasional problem. Light requirement: tree grows in part shade/part sun; tree grows in full sunSoil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; well-drainedDrought tolerance: moderateAerosol salt tolerance: moderate, Sourwood grows slowly, adapts to sun or shade, and prefers a slightly acid, peaty loam. Is sourwood hard to grow? Provides great fall color, with leaves turning crimson, purplish-red and sometimes yellow in the fall. Similarly, the edible white sourwood flowers have a fresh, acidic taste. Excellent fall color. The fall color is a striking red and orange which is rivaled by only a few other trees such as Blackgum, Chinese Pistache, the pears, and Chinese Tallowtree. It is native primarily to the southeastern United States and commonly found on well-drained upland slopes. Sourwood Tree. FREE delivery Jan 25 - 31 . Join in The Morton Arboretum's mission to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Five-valved brownish dehiscent dry capsules , 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, that ripen to silver-gray in September and October. This virtually eliminates damping off as a problem. Sycamore Diseases. A study by Markus Glocker at the University of Vienna, Austria found that sourwood honey is effective against "the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus hirae", which can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems. Sourwood trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Then remove the rooted nursery plant from the container and untangle the roots. Native Range: Eastern and southern United States Zone: 5 to 9 Height: 20.00 to 50.00 feet Spread: 10.00 to 25.00 feet Bloom Time: June to July Bloom Description: White Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Flowering Tree Flower: Showy, Fragrant Leaf: Good Fall Fruit: Showy Tolerate: Deer (sourwood), bark. Its slow growth rate is appealing as this allows the wood to become nice and strong while staying manageable and making care relatively easy, and the best news is there are no serious pest or disease problems. When planting a sourwood tree, ensure that the soil is organically rich, acidic, and drains well. Pests are usually not a problem for Sourwood. A sourwood faced with combined heat and drought drops its leaves. For general undergraduate student information, contact Dr. Rick Durham at (859) 257-3249, or rdurham@uky.edu. RM 2M871R1 - Close up of red fall foliage and flowers of a sourwood or sorrel tree Oxydendron arboreum in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is 118 feet tall with a 2-foot trunk. effective for aging men having kidney and bladder problems. The f lowering Sourwood can be difficult to transplant and performs best when purchased as container grown plants. It is the only guaranteed way that I have found of beating . Twigs are seemingly terminated by a leaf and bud, but bud is axillary and minute stem growth is adjacent. University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Native Tree Series; Sourwood, GoLocalProv Lifestyle: The Best Tree You Can Plant This Spring, University of Tennessee Extension: Fertilizing Landscape Trees, University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences: Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscapei, The most important gardening tools you didn't know you needed. My Purple Plum Tree Looks Black Like Fungus: What Is This? After filling the hole and tamping down the soil, water the sourwood thoroughly and mulch around the root zone. The tree produces 5-valved capsules borne on panicles that mature in the fall and release the very tiny, 2-winged seeds. In autumn, you can recognize the sourwood tree by the rows of brown fruit standing erect on curving stems. Locate the tree away from other plants, where its showy characteristics get the attention they deserve. Their larvae eat through and overwinter in the stem tissue. Place the young tree in the center, ensuring that it grows at the same height as before. Honey Jar Mock-Up - Male hands holding a honey jar on a gray. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. . The flowers droop from the stem and have a pleasant, sweet fragrance. Sourwood Tree Seedling gets its name from its sour-tasting leaves. Tom Potterfield / Flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Pioneers used the sap as one ingredient in a concoction used for treating fevers; the bark for chewing to soothe mouth pains; and leaf tea for treating diarrhea, indigestion and dysentery. Sourwood trees offer delight in every season. While not incredibly high in nutrients, this organic material makes a great soil amendment that the sourwood thrives in naturally. Unfortunately, this feeding habit causes new sprouts and stems to die back, resulting in poor growth. The trunk of a sourwood tree is straight and slender, the bark fissured and gray, and the crown narrow. The Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) also know as the sorrel tree, is a deciduous understory tree that is native to the eastern United States. Julie Janoski. If you are planting sourwood trees, youll do best to grow them in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. The trees typically grow 25 feet (8 m.) tall in your backyard but can shoot up to 60 feet (18 m.) tall in the wild. Sourwood Common Problems. Several fungal diseases can affect the growth of a sourwood tree. Also called the sorrel tree, a unique feature of the sourwood tree is that its the only species in the Oxydendrum genus. For questions about home gardening, landscaping or commercial horticulture production, please contact your county extension agent. The dark, thick, furrowed bark is a major winter asset. In summer, when most trees are done blooming, Sourwood will grace your yard with gorgeous lacy sprays of small, fragrant white flowers that resemble . In the early summer, the Sourwood blooms white fragrant flowers. Sourwoods require a well-drained acid soil. Occasionally young specimens have a more open spreading habit reminiscent of Redbud. The bell-shaped, 1/4- to 1/3-inch white flowers crowd into panicles up to 10 inches long which dangle from the tips of drooping branches in midsummer. Another name for the sourwood tree is the lily of the valley treethis is because the bell-shaped flowers look like those of lily of the valley plant (Convallaria majalis). Scientific Name: Common Name: Scientific Name Pronounciation: Plant Type: Tree Plant Hardiness Zones: Plant Hardiness Zone (s): Usual Size: Flower: Bloom Time Notes: Leaf: Fruit: Wildlife: Natural Habitat: Propagation: Bloom Time: Below are common attributes associated to Sourwood Tree. How to Manage and Maintain Paulownia tomentosa, Pros and Cons of Planting Mimosa in Your Yard, 20 Florida Native Plants That Thrive in the States Heat and Humidity, 18 Native Trees and Shrubs to Grow in Your Desert Backyard. Old fall webworm tents attract invertebrates that birds often eat during late fall and winter. The growth rate is 2-3 feet each year. Deep water by letting a hose or sprinkler trickle water around the base of the tree for several hours. Blooms are effective for 3 to 4 weeks. Sourwood trees near structures? If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, you'll want to learn more sourwood tree information. First, the trees dont tolerate urban pollution and wont thrive in city environments. Sourwood's wood is hard and has red-tinged brown heartwood and thick layers of pale sapwood. Also, weevils (Conotrachelus anaglypticus) can damage new growth like buds, shoots, and leaves. The bitter-tasting leaves are alternate, stalked, rather oblong, and 12-20 cm (5-8 inches) long. Sourwood is one of the first trees to turn fall colors in the Eastern forest. That being said, here are a few of the rare cultivars to have actually made it into cultivation in the trade: Pruning the sourwood is a pure joy as it is very slow-growing, and the only worries you should have are pruning the tree for structure and establishing a single leader. Also, keep a 5-foot (1.5-meter) clearance beneath the canopy by removing limbs from the tree. Its vital to prune a sourwood tree when its young to help develop an attractive shape. Similarly, the hickory horned devil caterpillar can attack sourwood leaves in late spring. There is a second act to the Sourwood season, when, with the onset of cooler weather and shortening days it bursts forth into a breathtaking display of burgundy and red. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Fall webworm is an occasional problem. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Grow sourwood trees in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that grows to be 20-30 feet tall. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Trees grow best in moist, well-drained acidic soils in full sun to light shade. Because sourwoods grow well in partial shade, they are excellent under-story trees. It is tolerant of shade and dry soils and moderately tolerant of salt. The Arboretum has the expertise and advice to help you beautify your home landscape, improve your community, and advocate for trees. Juice from its blooms is used to make sourwood jelly. Sourwoods are notorious for bad transplanting, so it's vital that you adequately water the newly planted tree. This tree produces fragrant, white sprays of flowers in early summer. Provide additional fertilizer in late fall to increase the soils nutrient content. Occasionally young specimens have a more open spreading habit reminiscent of Redbud.Crown density: denseGrowth rate: slowTexture: medium, Plant Image Library / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0, Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy; not particularly showy; should be grown with a single leader; no thornsPruning requirement: needs little pruning to develop a strong structureBreakage: resistantCurrent year twig color: green; reddishCurrent year twig thickness: medium; thin, Leaf arrangement: alternateLeaf type: simpleLeaf margin: entire; serrulate; undulateLeaf shape: lanceolate; oblongLeaf venation: banchidodrome; pinnateLeaf type and persistence: deciduousLeaf blade length: 4 to 8 inchesLeaf color: green Fall color: orange; red Fall characteristic: showy. Buy this plant from 2 Gardenality Business Profiles . 6,649 views. Its honey, which has a medium to light color with heavy body, is slow to granulate. It makes an excellent specimen or focus of the center of a garden surrounded by native perennials. Sourwood trees require minimal pruning when established. Shape the young tree to establish a single, strong trunk with five to eight evenly spaced branches beginning 5 feet from the ground. Small Business. After two weeks, you can transplant the seedlings to the ground. To ensure healthy growth, its vital to choose a fertilizer for acid-loving trees. Sourwood Tree Seedlings for Planting | 1-2 Feet Tall Live Tree Plants - Stunning Red Leaves and White Flowers (2 Trees) $42.96 $ 42. After the danger of frost has passed in spring and the seedlings are at least 6 (15 cm) tall, place the seedling tray in a shaded area in your garden. Sourwood tree can be identified by its large, glossy green lanceolate leaves that turn bright red to reddish-purple color in the fall. However, there seems to be agreement that the most difficult problems for sourwood arise because of its exacting cultural requirements as stated above. by Ann Farnham, LLA The tree favored this month by the Ewing Environmental Commission is Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboretum, one of America's most beautiful native trees. Digital photograph. Sourwood trees can benefit from fertilization once a year in late fall. They are dark green in color and have a sour, acidic taste. Store in a . If you are considering planting sourwood trees, youll be glad to learn that the foliage produces excellent fall color, consistently turning a bright crimson. Additionally, its helpful to remove any suckers or branches that grow near the trunks base. Your sourwood tree prefers acidic, organically rich, moist, well-drained soils. This tree grows to be 25-30 feet in height and has a spread of about 20 feet at full maturity. Growing in the upland forests of the southeastern United States, it is most abundant in the Alleghenies and the Blue Ridge mountains. After filling the hole and. Alternate, simple, finely-toothed, glossy green leaves (3 to 6 inches long to 1 to 3 inches wide) entire to serrate margin shiny and glossy, reminiscent of a peach or laurel leaf. The sourwood is the only species in the genus Oxydendrum. This tree has vivid red autumn foliage and tiny, woody fruit that persists into fall. Full sun to partial shade. Looking for a source for a good sized, container grown sourwood tree to use as a focal point in a garden of primarily native plants. Its leaves are rich green and turn yellow, red, and purple in the fall. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, youll want to learn more sourwood tree information. It might hang over the front corner/porch a bit, leaning as even healthy sourwoods do. It is at home in the eastern and southeastern United States in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. Sourwood tree bark has recognizable deep furrows with patterns resembling alligator hide. Sourwoods are not drought-tolerant plants and require plenty of moisture during the growing seasons. Answer (1 of 2): Sourwood leaves are edible; they have a pleasant acidic taste. . Reports show that using stem cuttings to propagate a sourwood rarely succeeds. This type of natural fertilizer helps increase the soils acidic content, which is what sourwood trees prefer. Honey from the sourwood tree is known as North Carolina's most famous . Grows in Zones 5-9, Deciduous. PLANTFILES. It is not snobby like some ornamentals which require fussing and tending. Why such a poor transplant survival rate? Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Click this article to learn about the planting and care of sourwood trees. Then make sure that the location is in full sun for best results. By fall, brilliant red foliage covers the branches. Sourwood trees, also called sorrel trees, offer delight in every season, with flowers in summer, brilliant color in fall, and ornamental seed pods in winter. The nectar-laden flowers are also a source of honey. A young sourwood tree may begin to flower when it is only 3 to 4 feet tall. Sourwood sprouts often interfere with the establishment of more desirable species in second . Sourwood tree growth is fairly rapid. It does well with the protection of other tall shrubs and trees and does not tolerate drought or urban pollution. The largest known sourwood in North America is in Robbinsville, N.C. Most of the critical pruning for sourwoods is when the trees are relatively immature. . Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazon's store. Gardening For Bees In Nebraska And West North Central Region, Ornamental Grasses Ohio Valley Gardeners Should Grow, Problems With Butterfly Bushes: Common Butterfly Bush Pests And Diseases, Pears And Fire Blight: How To Treat Pear Tree Blight, Hardy Kiwi Diseases: How To Treat A Sick Kiwi Plant, Feeding Amaryllis Plants Learn How And When To Fertilize Amaryllis Bulbs, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. The normal standard of watering weekly for the first two seasons applies, at a rate of two to three gallons a week per trunk diameter measured by caliper at chest height. Sourwood has no serious pests or diseases. And the honey made from the flowers of the sourwood tree is prized by beekeepers and is often sold at a higher price. Sourwood is not too site-demanding and has very few insect or disease problems, making it a low maintenance landscape plant. Dig a hole twice as wide as the tree's root ball, ease the tree from its nursery pot, untangle its roots and center it in the hole. The hairy capsules ripen in late fall and contain tiny seeds. For an ornamental plant, the sourwood does not have huge levels of thirst. He describes himself as a "tree-hugging dirt worshipper" who is a member of multiple gardening societies and foundations. Leaf spot and twig blight infrequently occur on the Sourwood tree. Second, the trees dont perform well in compact soil or cope with drought. Lets look in more detail at caring for a sourwood tree. Family The Sourwood Tree is a member of the Heath family of which there are 70 Genera and 1800 species distributed through the temperate portions of the planet. (sourwood), leaves, fall color, Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. Sourwood usually grows as a pyramid or narrow oval with a more or less straight trunk at a height of 25 to 35 feet but can reach 50 to 60 feet tall with a spread of 25 to 30 feet. Bowel movements were also doctored using these leaves, making them regular and aiding patients during sudden, . Plant damage by borers like the dogwood twig borers or azalea stem borers can cause new twigs to die off or leaves to curl downward. Sourwood grows well in confined soil spaces with good drainage making it a candidate for urban plantings but is largely untried as a street tree. You can then dig your hole for planting a sourwood tree. Space sourwood 15 to 20 feet apart; the tree grows 25 to 35 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. The bright red colors stand out from other deciduous landscape trees that may be golden yellow or coppery-bronze. A sourwood tree's leaves can be chewed to help quench thirst, made into tea, or added to salads, soups, or stews. During summer, long panicles of distinctive creamy-white bell-shaped fragrant flowers help to identify the tree. Also, remove limbs off the tree to keep a 5 ft. (1.5 m) space under the canopy. Fall webworm can defoliate portions of the tree in summer and fall but usually control is not needed. Sourwood Tree Seedlings produce white flowers during the Summer months. This plant does not like to be transplanted so only do so with young plants. Keep the soil evenly moist. Waxy, lily-of-the-valley-like, white bell-shaped flowers that bloom on slender, second on axis, drooping, one-sided slender terminal panicles (4 to 8 inches long) from June to July. I'm also open to suggestion regarding other native trees that can tolerate a little shade and won't get much larger than the sourwood at maturity. Sourwood grows well in confined soil spaces with good drainage making it a candidate for urban plantings but is largely untried as a street tree. In the late Summer, drooping clusters of fragrant Lily-of-the-Valley-like white flowers add an . A native tree of North America, the sourwood is one of the few endemic trees that is not found in other continents unless planted and has no related species. Another way to ensure a sourwood tree gets enough nutrients is to apply rotted manure or organic compost every spring. Sourwood can be grown in Zones 5 (perhaps 4) to 9. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. Order Your Sourwood Tree From TN Nursery Today Her thousands of published articles cover topics from travel and gardening to pet care and technology. Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day), Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight), Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). After its leaves drop in fall, scatter a fertilizer for acid-loving plants on the soil. This tree is especially common in Southeastern US. This specimen is located at a residence However, it can do significant damage to your trees leaves. Sourwood vector illustration. Growing sourwood tree: Sourwood will be undaunted by pests, diseases, or minor cultural problems if it gets the well-drained, acid soil it requires. Sourwood tree can be identified by its flowers, leaves, and bark. . Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazon's . Features simple, elliptic or oblong leaves that are dark green in color and range from 48" long. Buds are lateral or axillary, small (less than an inch in size), are conical-globose, and sessile. Sourwood thrives in low-saline, acidic soil with a pH between 3.7 and 6.5 with consistent moisture and good drainage. sourwood, sorrel tree, lily-of-the-valley tree. The forest floor is covered in fallen leaves, which break down into leaf mold; this is the fungal material of decomposing leaves. In addition, its attractive summer green and white colors and excellent fall colors create a focal point throughout the growing seasons. Those panicles age into sweeping sprays of 1/3-inch oval, greenish-brown seed capsules which turn a silvery gray by . You can find the sourwood from the coast of Virginia to North Carolina, over into Southern Ohio and Indiana, and down to Mississippi and Louisiana. It goes by many other common or local names including sorrel tree, sorrel gum, sour gum, arrow wood, elk tree, lily-of-the-valley tree and titi tree. The common name derives from the sour taste of the leaves, which are finely toothed and glossy. If someone has sourwood trees on their farm, they are fortunate. The sweet nectar and sap of the sourwood led to early colonists and Native Americans utilizing it for a variety of things. They can grow to 8 inches (20 cm.) Let your sourwood establish for a year before fertilizing. A properly watered sourwood can survive for more than 75 years. An interesting feature of sourwood tree bark is that twigs and branches emerge bright red before turning gray. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. Sourwood products were used to treat urinary problems (increase urine flow / diuretic), enlarged prostate, bowel . Native Americans utilized sourwood branches for arrow shafts. Reportedly not highly drought tolerant, but there are beautiful specimens in USDA hardiness zone 7 growing in the open sun in poor clay with no irrigation. form a strategic partnership called N.C. The best way to propagate sourwood trees is by collecting seeds, but even then, the seeds can be difficult to germinate. HU-278742553. This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 1324" per year. The Sourwood Tree is a tree that grows in the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia, North Carolina, and parts of Tennessee. Prevent the problem with weekly watering during dry spells when its actively growing. Lastly, add a 2 to 3 (5 7.5 cm) layer of organic mulch to help keep the soil moist and control weeds. Sourwood grows well in confined soil spaces with good drainage making it a candidate for urban plantings but is largely untried as a street tree. Leaves are dark, lustrous green and appear to weep or hang from the twigs. sourwood, also called sorrel, (species Oxydendrum arboreum ), deciduous ornamental tree, of the heath family (Ericaceae), native to southeastern North America. Twig borers lay eggs in the trees stems, and when the larvae hatch, they feed on new tissue growth inside the branches. Yields an oval-shaped fruit that is under " in diameter. There are two issues to consider when using sourwood trees in the landscape. Because of its famous honey, sourwood is also called the honey tree. This article is a comprehensive guide to growing a sourwood landscape tree in your front or backyard. Keep the seedling tray in a warm place and under a fluorescent lamp for 24 hours a day. Provide the trees with generous irrigation all growing season when they are young. The best way to deal with canker diseases is to prune and destroy infected limbs. Leaf spots can discolor some leaves but are not serious other than causing premature defoliation. Heat tolerant. oxydendrum arboretum sourwood Share: facebook twitter pinterest googleplus linkedin James R. Fazio Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum. The Arboretum offers something for everyone in an unforgettable, tree-filled setting. To take care of sourwood trees, dont stint on water. Honeybees pollinate the flowers and feed on the sweet nectar. Sourwood Tree Seedlings or better known as Oxydendron Arboretum. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. It is best grown from small container-grown plants. Getting rid of borers that infest a sourwood tree can be challenging. It prefers normal moisture but has some drought tolerance. The Sourwood Tree is a slow grower with an upright oval crown that is 25-30 feet high and 20 feet wide. Fruits on sourwood trees are small oval, egg-shaped capsules with a yellowish or greenish color that mature to grayish-brown color. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. I want to preserve a nice mature sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum). Their trunk will grow as large as 50 cm in diameter. If there are issues with low bloom production, you might consider testing your soil for deficiencies, but until the tree is mature enough to set blooms, time and patience are your best friend. It should take three to four weeks for germination to happen. It prefers full sun to part shade. It has a few pest or disease problems such as webworm and twig blight, but is easily treated. Sourwood has a deep and fibrous root system and has a reputation for being difficult to transplant or move. Water them during dry weather, even after they mature, since they are intolerant of drought. It produces small, persistent, tan, dry capsules. Possessing a light and exceptionally floral taste with notes of anise, spice, and gingerbread, sourwood honey is a premium product for most beekeepers. Sourwood is a pyramidal to oval tree that grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. The Sourwood tree, also called the Oxydendrum arboreum in scientific terminology, is an aboriginal plant of North America. Water a sourwood tree often enough to prevent the ground from drying out. Fertilize sourwood by adding aged compost to the dripline at least once a year. Sourwood makes an excellent specimen tree, and can also be used in shrub borders with Rhododendron, Pieris and Leucothoe. Although moderately tolerant of salt, it doesnt perform well in drought or polluted environments. It is intolerant of pollution and urban areas. Common names: The scientific name for sourwood comes from the Greek words oxys (acid) and dendron (tree) and refers to the sour taste of its leaves. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insects. After the seedlings have developed two leaves, keep only the strongest ones and discard the rest. Sourwood was introduced into the landscape in 1747. The name Sourwood is derived from the acrid taste of its leaves, but tea made from these leaves is widely used by mountain climbers as a thirst-quencher. The amazing honey from sourwood blossoms has a spicy aroma, sweet caramel taste, and pleasant aftertaste. Plant the trees in full sun. sourwood tree blooms - sourwood tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images gone are the clouds, qubec, canada - sourwood tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Hooded firefighter cape in buckskin , Edo period , with family crest, sourwood flowers, 68x54 cm, resist dyed trim with smoked rice paste. The problem is we're rarely given a choice, as most nurseries . There are few sights that are as striking as a row of Sourwood in fall color. Attributes This tree: Blooms from June to early July, with fragrant white flowers on drooping stalks that look very similar to lilies-of-the-valley. Copyright 2023, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The sour-tasting leaves have short petioles and grow alternately on the trees stems. Flowers have a 5 lobed calyx and an urceolate corolla that is finely downy, white, 5-lobed, and minute. Birch Trees: Types, Leaves, Bark - Identification (With Images), Types of Trees With Thorns (Pictures and Names) - Identification Guide, White Oak Tree: Leaves, Bark, Fruit (Acorn) (Picture) Identification, Tree Fertilizers: When and How (Including The Best Tree Fertilizers), Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum): Leaves, Bark, Flowers Identification Guide (With Pictures), panicles of creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers, Small or Dwarf Weeping Trees for Landscaping, Small Trees for Landscaping Compact Spaces. Sourwood has no serious pest problems. The bark develops deep furrows and scaly patterns like the alligator hide-type bark of black tupelo trees. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. Bark is gray-brown and deeply ridged with the ridges often divided into a somewhat square pattern. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. The leaves provide a tangy, tart flavor to stews when cooked. Resistant to fire. However, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech, the sourwood tree can be difficult to start in your garden: "Despite its grace and beauty, sourwood trees are.