It would be best to trim off weak-looking branches to leave five to eight evenly spaced branches. We offer 3 days to report any problems with your order. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! last year. 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. Finally, backfill the hole using the amended native soil. Tom Potterfield / Flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. It has simple, alternate, 3 to 8 inch, elongated leaves with finely toothed edges. To get rid of webworms, you can cut the webs open to expose the larvae to birds that feed on them. This virtually eliminates damping off as a problem. It is home primarily in the woodlands and along the water. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazon's . The botanical equivalent of operatic divas, sourwood trees (Oxydendrum arboreum) compensate for their temperamental quirks with four-season performance. The botanical name means acidic tree. Space sourwood 15 to 20 feet apart; the tree grows 25 to 35 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. Keep the fertilizer at least 1 foot away from a young trees trunk; expand the clear zone to 1 1/2 feet for an older sourwood. 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. If you are planting sourwood trees, youll do best to grow them in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. This tree will not tolerate dry, compacted, alkaline soils or deicing salt, and is sensitive to root disturbance, so it is not ideal for urban areas. Branches are narrow, elongate, decurved then swept upright, and persist after leaves. The sour-tasting leaves have short petioles and grow alternately on the trees stems. Sourwood rarely needs pruning. The abundant fragrant flowers give the sourwood tree a soft textured appearance when blooming in midsummer. We sell only container-grown plants in this species because of this limitation plus it reduces plant loss especially when planting orchards for honey production. Sourwood is occasionally used as an ornamental because of its brilliant fall color and mid-summer flowers. If someone has sourwood trees on their farm, they are fortunate. Sourwood Tree Fertilization Sourwood trees can benefit from fertilization once a year in late fall. Grow sourwood trees in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. The trees with their weeping branches and irregular pyramidal crown are ideal for lawns, shade gardens, or patios. Sourwoods are notorious for bad transplanting, so it's vital that you adequately water the newly planted tree. It was used as a tonic, decoction, and even as a gum; medicinal uses include treating urinary problems, prostrate conditions, diarrhea, dysentery, and many other symptoms. Then sprinkle the fine seeds over the soil, mist with water, and cover with plastic. Gray bark with reddish tinges helps to identify sourwood trees. Pruning should be done annually in the fall, and you will want to cut the branches to establish a narrow crown on a single slender leader. Bees produce a rich and popular honey from the nectar. Prune sourwood in early spring before its new growth starts. Their larvae eat through and overwinter in the stem tissue. The best way to water the tree is to apply a trickle of water over several hours to irrigate the roots thoroughly. Leaf spot and twig blight infrequently occur on the Sourwood tree. The sweet nectar . The leaves are dark, lustrous green and appear to weep or hang from the twigs while branches droop toward the ground. They can grow to 8 inches (20 cm.) 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. Sourwood's shallow root system resents competition from nearby grass or plants. For example, equal parts perlite and peat moss are ideal. The simple leaves have a conspicuous midrib and fine feather-like veining. Sourwood tree facts tell you that the scientific name is Oxydendrum arboretum. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Fall webworm is an occasional problem. The panicles persist after flowers drop and resemble long fingers. Winter rains help the roots absorb the fertilizer and feed spring growth. Sourwood Tree Seedlings or better known as Oxydendron Arboretum. 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. Taking Care Of Sourwood Tree Bright sunlight is a must for sourwood trees. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You can then dig your hole for planting a sourwood tree. 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). Origin: US native - Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee - grows along stream banks. Sourwood, (Oxydendrum Arboreum), excellent fall color, slightly fragrant flowers, low maintenance, planting zones 5-9, blooms June-July WoodenFishFarms (703) $31.95 100 Lily of the Valley Sourwood Seeds (Oxydendrum arboreum) | Honey Bee Tree AllSunshineGardening (2,374) $2.95 FREE shipping The main consideration is watering newly transplanted trees in order to get them to establish themselves. Webworms create web nests on the ends of branches and come out to feed on the tender leaves. After filling the hole, press down the soil to remove air pockets and thoroughly water the ground. 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. If youve never heard of sourwood trees, you have missed out on one of the most beautiful native species. 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. Trees in poor health seem to be more susceptible. U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness, Different Types Of Sorrel - Learn About Common Sorrel Varieties, Sorrel Plant Uses - Tips On Using Sorrel Herbs In Cooking, Using Sorrel Herbs - How To Prepare Sorrel Plants, Growing Hostas In Colorado And The Southwest US, 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. Sourwood is a tree for all seasons, rewarding you with year-round beauty, according to native plant enthusiast Helen Hamilton of Williamsburg. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Sourwood is a pyramidal to oval tree that grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. Wood is heavy, hard, and closegrained, but is seldom used as a commercial wood. The flowers droop from the stem and have a pleasant, sweet fragrance. Sourwood Honey comes from the nectar of the flower on the Sourwood Tree, which blooms in July/August of each year . Plant Clinic Manager. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Plant the sourwood tree in full sun in a location that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily. Sourwood's bark is grayish brown tinged with red, and deeply furrowed with scaly ridges. Sourwood Honey comes from the Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) a member of the Ericaceae family, also called the Sour gum, Sorrel tree or Lily-of-the-Valley tree.This showy, USA native tree is the lone species of its genera. After two weeks, you can transplant the seedlings to the ground. Sourwood Tree Seedlings produce white flowers during the Summer months. Sourwood requires an acidic soil that is moist and well-drained. In summer, when most trees are done blooming, Sourwood will grace your yard with gorgeous lacy sprays of small, fragrant white flowers that resemble . Its interesting to read up on sourwood tree facts. Its place in the ecosystem as an understory tree really allows it to be the understated underdog while making a visual impression that will be sure to win your heart. N-318 Ag Sciences Center University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0091, Fax (Lexington): 859-257-2859 (Princeton): 270-365-2667. 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 bark develops deep furrows and scaly patterns like the alligator hide-type bark of black tupelo trees. In addition, the leaves of the sourwood are said to have medicinal benefits, helping with: Fever reduction Dysentery Asthma Nausea Kidney and bladder problems Sourwood is a pyramidal to oval tree that grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. It is tolerant of shade and dry soils and moderately tolerant of salt. There are few sights that are as striking as a row of Sourwood in fall color. Stems are slender, glabrous or sparingly pubescent, and do not go dormant in the winter. The best way to propagate sourwood trees is by collecting seeds, but even then, the seeds can be difficult to germinate. 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. This tree is planted in groves for honey production; sourwood honey is delicious. The forest floor is covered in fallen leaves, which break down into leaf mold; this is the fungal material of decomposing leaves. Oxydendrum arboreum, Sourwood Tree. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. Leaves are rich green, turning yellow, red and purple in fall. . Sourwood can be grown in Zones 5 (perhaps 4) to 9. The sourwood spends most of its time in the understory of the forests, draped in the shade of huge canopy trees like oaks and maples. Order Your Sourwood Tree From TN Nursery Today This specimen is located at a residence 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. Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, early summer, midsummer, early fall, mid fall, Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. RM 2M871R1 - Close up of red fall foliage and flowers of a sourwood or sorrel tree Oxydendron arboreum in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Enter keywords to search on the arboretum map. Spread the fertilizer in a circle, beginning at the outer two-thirds of the branch spread. Prune out infected branch tips and fertilize. The juice from these flowers is usually used to make sourwood jelly. Bare root plants need to be planted within 2-3 days of receiving unless weather-related problems prohibit planting. They are also a laxative. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. The sourwood (often called sorrel) is a pretty little ornamental tree that is perfect for smaller spaces. You can find the tree growing in the foothills and mountainsides. Techniques have been described for sourwood seed collection, storage, and germination (2,5,14). Their shape is reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley. Then by summer, the tree is in bloom with rows of beautiful urn-shaped flowers. A properly watered sourwood can survive for more than 75 years. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. Prepared by Mary P. Tucker for the Georgia Native Plant Society. For questions about home gardening, landscaping or commercial horticulture production, please contact your county extension agent. The tree grows slowly, adapts to sun or shade, and prefers a slightly acid, peaty loam. 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. And the honey made from the flowers of the sourwood tree is prized by beekeepers and is often sold at a higher price. 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. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, you'll want to learn more sourwood tree information. Its fall color is a spectacular deep red. These flowers also provide the nectar for bees and the very tasty and sought out sourwood honey. When fully grown, these products can reach 30-60 feet and prefer well-drained soils. The bright red colors stand out from other deciduous landscape trees that may be golden yellow or coppery-bronze. Caterpillar damage usually results in leaf loss. 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. The best way to water the tree is to apply a trickle of water over several hours to irrigate the roots thoroughly. Keep the seedling tray in a warm place and under a fluorescent lamp for 24 hours a day. The common name derives from the sour taste of the leaves, which are finely toothed and glossy. . Although moderately tolerant of salt, it doesnt perform well in drought or polluted environments. Store in a cool place and keep roots moist . They bloom during mid-summer. Getting rid of borers that infest a sourwood tree can be challenging. Because of its famous honey, sourwood is also called the honey tree. You can also use a tree fertilizer with an NPK rating of 10-10-10. Sourwood trees are bee magnets! 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. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. This tree is especially common in Southeastern US. 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. You may also appreciate sourwood tree information about the flowers, which are attractive to bees. Being a tree which is native to Georgia they are adapted to our soil and want to live here. This plant prefers acidic, peaty, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Blooms are effective for 3 to 4 weeks. A sourwood faced with combined heat and drought drops its leaves. Sourwood Tree Facts: Learn About The Care Of Sourwood Trees By Teo Spengler Sourwood trees offer delight in every season. To propagate a sourwood tree from seed, you need a seedling tray filled with a moist potting medium. Sign up for our newsletter. The Sourwood tree, also called the Oxydendrum arboreum in scientific terminology, is an aboriginal plant of North America. You should remove dead or decaying branches in early spring. It helps to amend the soil with compost to increase acidity and add sand or gravel to improve drainage. It actually is because of the leaves, which are edible and leave a very sour taste in your mouth. The flowers themselves have a slight fragrance and are 1/4" long. Grow it as a specimen, with a layer of mulch protecting its root zone from volunteering competitors. The sourwood grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. long and look a little like peach leaves. To plant a sourwood tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the trees root ball and the same depth. This slowly spreading fungal infection can cause die-back where new growth doesnt appear or leaves wilt suddenly. Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist and member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care. 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. 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. Sourwood has no serious pests or diseases. Full Sun or Shade for a Crimson Queen Maple. Additionally, use nitrate-based fertilizer because ammonium ones will burn the roots. It does well with the protection of other tall shrubs and trees and does not tolerate drought or urban pollution. Small Business. Sourwood's wood is hard and has red-tinged brown heartwood and thick layers of pale sapwood. Fertilizing before maturity will create more work for you and weaker wood on the branches. But the best known by-product of the Sourwood tree is the hard-to-find and extremely delicious honey that bees produce from the fragrant blossoms. Once the seedlings appear, apply a diluted acidic fertilizer for seedlings every two weeks. Sourwood grows slowly to its mature, 25- to 50-foot height and 12- to 20-foot spread. Trimming off weak-looking branches and leaving five to eight evenly spaced branches would be ideal. 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. The bitter-tasting leaves are alternate, stalked, rather oblong, and 12-20 cm (5-8 inches) long. The hickory horned devil caterpillar is a huge green caterpillar that looks aggressive but is harmless and wont bite you. Several fungal diseases can affect the growth of a sourwood tree. This tree has a rounded top and branches that droop, making it appear graceful. After filling the hole and. During summer, long panicles of distinctive creamy-white bell-shaped fragrant flowers help to identify the tree. 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. A sourwood tree's leaves can be chewed to help quench thirst, made into tea, or added to salads, soups, or stews. They won't put up a fuss like an alien species can. 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. Sourwoods are not drought-tolerant plants and require plenty of moisture during the growing seasons. While not incredibly high in nutrients, this organic material makes a great soil amendment that the sourwood thrives in naturally. 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. Keeping the tree healthy and stress-free with proper siting, irrigation and feeding is the most effective deterrent for these pests. Most if not all issues that come up will either resolve themselves or be so minor that they can be overlooked as simply a nuisance. The nectar-laden flowers are also a source of honey. (zones 5-9). The flowers are white and appear on the branches in summer. 6,649 views. After the seedlings have developed two leaves, keep only the strongest ones and discard the rest. It is native primarily to the southeastern United States and commonly found on well-drained upland slopes. Pests are usually not a problem for Sourwood. Sourwood tree can be identified by its large, glossy green lanceolate leaves that turn bright red to reddish-purple color in the fall. 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. 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. The bark is red-brown with deep vertical furrows that separate flat, pointed ridges. It produces small, persistent, tan, dry capsules. Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Sycamore diseases. Les Engles achieved Master Gardener through theCamden County Extension of the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program. Flowers are fragrant and bloom poorly in the shade. Prune out infected branch tips and fertilize. The trees characteristic growth habits are a slender trunk, narrow, irregular crown, and branches that droop slightly. Twigs are seemingly terminated by a leaf and bud, but bud is axillary and minute stem growth is adjacent. Trees are slow growing and sensitive to air pollution, poor drainage, root disturbance, and soil compaction. Being a slow-growing tree that takes a bit of time to mature, using fertilizer during the first five years will not do much other than stimulating limb growth. The tree transplants easily when young and from containers of any size. Bud death followed by new bud formation and more bud death results in witches' broom-like proliferation of branch ends as well as very crooked branching patterns. The main types of pests affecting a sourwood tree are borers, weevils, webworms, and caterpillars. Sourwood tree fruit persists on the tree until winter. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut. Fall webworm can defoliate portions of the tree in summer and fall but usually control is not needed. In addition, their relatively short stature provides plenty of interest at eye level and can be a great addition to your landscape. The circle should extend beyond the drip line by one-half the distance between the trunk and the ends of the branches. Sourwood products were used to treat urinary problems (increase urine flow / diuretic), enlarged prostate, bowel . The growth rate is 2-3 feet each year. 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. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, youll want to learn more sourwood tree information. The trees that make most nectars grow in north Georgia and western North Carolina. Lastly, add a 2 to 3 (5 7.5 cm) layer of organic mulch to help keep the soil moist and control weeds. Sourwood trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. It is 118 feet tall with a 2-foot trunk. They produce consistently excellent fall color, typically turning crimson red, but sometimes yellow and purple. 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. It grows to about 23 metres (75 feet) in height. Capsules contrast well with the red fall color and provide continuing ornamental interest after leaf drop into winter. The dark, thick, furrowed bark is a major winter asset. If you are thinking of planting sourwood trees, you'll want to learn more sourwood tree information. In addition, its attractive summer green and white colors and excellent fall colors create a focal point throughout the growing seasons. The tree produces 5-valved capsules borne on panicles that mature in the fall and release the very tiny, 2-winged seeds. It prefers normal moisture but has some drought tolerance. Culture: Sun to part shade. Locate the tree away from other plants, where its showy characteristics get the attention they deserve. With proper care, sourwoods can be ornamental overachievers. Dark, thin, gray bark on mature trees is has light gray fissures, ridged and scaly, becomes blocky with age. this difficulty can be overcome by studying the conditions under which it grows best. White fragrant flowers in early summer. 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. This tree has vivid red autumn foliage and tiny, woody fruit that persists into fall. Also, the sweet aroma of the flowers attracts bees that feed on the sweet nectar. The Sourwood trees are native to the Black Mountains and Appalachian mountains regions that extend from the south of New York to eastern Canada. It is intolerant of pollution and urban areas. 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. Sourwood honey is very popular where this tree is found in abundance. Scientific name: Oxydendrum arboreumPronunciation: ock-sih-DEN-drum ar-BORE-ee-umCommon name(s): Sourwood, Sorrel-TreeFamily: EricaceaeUSDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 9AOrigin: Native to North AmericaUses: recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; shade tree; specimen; no proven urban toleranceAvailability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree. Two long-horned beetle species, twig girdlers (Oncideres cingulata) and dogwood stem borers (Oberea tripunctata) chew their way around sourwood's stems and deposit their eggs in the crevices. Small sourwood trees are usually planted as specimen trees to provide multi-season interest. Full sun to partial shade. Sourwood tree growth is fairly rapid. Branches droop toward the ground forming a graceful outline when planted as a single specimen. 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. Sourwood Care. Sourwood Honey is one of the most sought after honeys in the world. Sourwood trees offer delight in every season. Gourmet honey is produced by the many bees that are attracted to the nectar-laden flowers. Fragrant white blooms in July in elongated clusters. The Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) also know as the sorrel tree, is a deciduous understory tree that is native to the eastern United States. Grows in Zones 5-9, Deciduous. There arent any serious insect or disease problems. Irrigation is required during hot, dry weather to keep leaves on the tree. oxydendrum arboretum sourwood Share: facebook twitter pinterest googleplus linkedin James R. Fazio Each scented flower consists of five tiny petals fused to create a little bell. Usually, its best to call in professionals to deal with the pest problem. For undergraduate student information regarding the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Dr. Krista Jacobsen at (859) 257-3921, or krista.jacobsen@uky.edu. By fall, brilliant red foliage covers the branches. It is native to North Carolina and can be found throughout the state, although more rarely in the low, alluvial plain. A tea made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea, indigestion. Sourwood Tree. 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. 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.