Scientific Name:
Oxydendrum arboreum
Pronunciation:
ock-sih-DEN-drum are-BORE-ee-um
Common Name:
sorrel tree, sourwood
Family Name:
Ericaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Leaves elliptic-oblonge, most 10-15cm long x 3-5cm wide; emerge red and then red again in fall; florets creamy-white in panicles, Jul-Aug; capsules numerous, about 6mm long on 5mm long pedicel. Winter ID: persistent fruit (drooping woody capsules).
Habit:
Arching
Form:
Columnar, Pyramidal - narrowly
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
10 - 15m
Mature Spread:
7 - 10m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
U.S. - northwest
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Sheltered
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Humus rich, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Specimen plant, Summer interest, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Red, Dark-red
Shapes:
Elliptic, Oblong
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Obtuse
Margins:
Serrulate
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour, Up to 20cm long; few short leaf hairs that are easily overlooked
Inflorescence Type:
Panicle, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Urceolate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Pieris-like flowers in clusters of white pendent panicles up to 30cm long
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Persistent,
Bark Morphology:
Exfoliating, Plated, Moderately fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Orange, Red, Brown
Additional Info:
Highly variable with age
Propagation:
Seed
Pest Susceptibility:
Caterpillar or cutworm, Fungal leaf spot, Sawflies or horntails or ants (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant)
Specific Pests:
