Sourwood Tree Identification

sportsmaine · Oct 20, 2020

I bought my 5 ‘ sourwood at a nursery l ast fall and at the time I happen to notice that it did not have any dried flower stalks and then when it did not bloom at all this summer . I wondered whether this is a sourwood tree at all . The tree located in partial shade so I thought that maybe was the reason . Now it is fall and the leaves sre turning yellow . all other sourwood trees i have seen turn a bright red ! I am starting to think that it was mis labeled at the nursery . Maybe not a Sourwood tree ? any ideas?

Anawan · Oct 21, 2020

I was climbing a lot of sourwoods today down here in Western NC. Most had a red orange hue but some had golden leaves and some were still green. This looks like a sourwood but I’m not 100 percent.

Should flower when 3-4 years old. I think you’re on the cusp. Are you in Maine? I’m reading a description Michael Dirr has here on them- ‘was an isolated tree in Maine campus that did not flower or fruit.’

From same source, regarding foliage coloring-

‘Fall color is variable and seedling material may not provide good reds.’

Hope this helps. I’m fairly certain just have a young sourwood there. Nursery sourwoods look very different from wild grown ones.

You mentioned it is in partial shade. It is shade loving and as much shade as you give it the better it will do.

sportsmaine · Oct 21, 2020

Thank You Anawan .I live in Cape Cod Ma . You have been very helpful. Looks like I will have to wait another year for flowers

Anawan · Oct 21, 2020

Curious what other sourwoods you are seeing around you? In landscapes or forests? I grew up in Rehoboth but it wasn’t until I moved to NC that I met this tree. It’s one of my top three favorites. It’s the natural form ones that are so striking- usually quite bent and curvy with a striking mix of horizontal knuckled branches and vertical leads.

I’m working again today among many such trees, I’ll try to get some happy snappies and post them later. We are in peak foliage season here.

Oracle · Oct 21, 2020

Sourwoods everywhere here in western NC as Anawan said. I'll get some pics today too. They usually only have isolated blooms until they reach a more mature height. In my opinion the fall color of these trees is rivaled only by certain maples. Mature trees have some of the brightest most impressive color in the forest and to keep the color for a longer time than maples depending on environment. They tend to be a little leggy but still definitely one of my favorites.

sportsmaine · Oct 21, 2020

Anawan said:
Curious what other sourwoods you are seeing around you? In landscapes or forests? I grew up in Rehoboth but it wasn’t until I moved to NC that I met this tree. It’s one of my top three favorites. It’s the natural form ones that are so striking- usually quite bent and curvy with a striking mix of horizontal knuckled branches and vertical leads.

I’m working again today among many such trees, I’ll try to get some happy snappies and post them later. We are in peak foliage season here.

Here are two SWs right down the street from me: one mature and one about mine’s size

Anawan · Oct 21, 2020

Photos can’t do them justice. There’s so many here but the canopy is thick and it’s hard to get a good snap.

Its awesome that sourwoods are making their way into landscapes like the ones you shared. I’d be curious to see how they look in 10, 20 years. Coming up in a rich cove forest underneath oaks, hickories, beech, black gum, maple, poplar... hard to match their natural stomping grounds.

CjM · Oct 21, 2020

Really awesome to see folks planting interesting, landscape appropriate trees! Nice choice!

sportsmaine · Oct 22, 2020

Anawan said:
View attachment 70947 View attachment 70949Photos can’t do them justice. There’s so many here but the canopy is thick and it’s hard to get a good snap.

Its awesome that sourwoods are making their way into landscapes like the ones you shared. I’d be curious to see how they look in 10, 20 years. Coming up in a rich cove forest underneath oaks, hickories, beech, black gum, maple, poplar... hard to match their natural stomping grounds.

Reassuring to see the yellow leaves

Oracle · Oct 22, 2020

As far as I know there is only one species. Most around here turn some shade of reddish. Anywhere from light pinkish orange to deep burgundy. But I’ve seen them turn yellowish or light green as well. It does look like your tree is sourwood, despite the bright yellow coloration. What’s the soil like?

Oracle · Oct 22, 2020

Oracle · Oct 22, 2020

Different colors on different trees.

Oracle · Oct 22, 2020

Young bark is smooth, mature barke resembles poplar somewhat except deeper and rougher.

sportsmaine · Oct 22, 2020

Oracle said:
View attachment 70955

Nice photo . My sourwood is planted in moist well loomed soil
but i noticed back when i took it out of the burlap it was encased in hard clay . I am concerned that i did not break it up enough when I planted it . I even thought of digging it up again this fall to remove more of the clay . But am I am worried about root loss and Sourwoods propensity to outright die when disturbed.

sportsmaine · Oct 22, 2020

Oracle said:
Different colors on different trees.View attachment 70957 View attachment 70958 View attachment 70959 View attachment 70960

The leaves certainly look alike

oldoakman · Oct 22, 2020

Makes great honey also.

Oracle · Oct 22, 2020

Something screwy happened when I resized them but I was having trouble loading the full image with my slow connection. The subsoil in the forests here is heavy red clay and the sourwoods seem to tolerate it quite well. I think it will be fine once it gets established.

oldoakman · Oct 22, 2020

It's interesting, a lot of people in the south consider sourwood a weed tree along with sweet gum. In the northeast both are planted in the landscape for their color and texture.

sportsmaine · Oct 22, 2020

Oracle said:
Young bark is smooth, mature barke resembles poplar somewhat except deeper and rougher.View attachment 70961 View attachment 70962

oldoakman said:
It's interesting, a lot of people in the south consider sourwood a weed tree along with sweet gum. In the northeast both are planted in the landscape for their color and texture.

Its a beautiful and scarce tree up here and quite the all season specimen tree

sportsmaine · Oct 22, 2020

Oracle said:
Something screwy happened when I resized them but I was having trouble loading the full image with my slow connection. The subsoil in the forests here is heavy red clay and the sourwoods seem to tolerate it quite well. I think it will be fine once it gets established.

Thanks Oracle for your help and reassurance. no digging up necessary ! I am looking forward to next spring