Sourwood Trees For Sale
The Sourwood Tree is a stunning, deciduous, and ornamental tree that will dazzle you in the fall with its uniquely long, red leaves. The bark of this tree is gray-brown in color, with ridges. Its green leaves provide an excellent backdrop for its fragrant white flowers. Its ornamental flowers resemble those of the Lily of the Valley, giving it another common name, the Lily of the Valley Tree. It is a native deciduous tree that will be a wildlife haven in your yard. In the fall, the changing autumnal colors bring a brilliant, bold display of red leaves.
Landscape Uses and Maintenance
This tree is excellent in a woodland garden or as a choice specimen in a landscape. Plant this tree in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It will have the best fall color if planted in full sun. Avoid planting this tree in a location with full shade.
Sourwood Tree needs moist soil. Ensure thorough watering until the plant is well established. Add a layer of mulch, compost, or humus around the base of this tree to increase the organic matter in the soil. As a member of the heath family, this tree will need to be planted in acidic soil to thrive. Have more alkaline soil? You can add iron or iron sulfate to the soil to make it more acidic.
Its flowers are nectar-filled and attract bees. The honey from these bees is a warm amber in color. This tree also has fruits that are attractive to wildlife, including small mammals and birds.
Noteworthy Characteristics of the Sourwood Tree
The Sourwood Tree is a host plant for the Lettered Sphinx butterfly and many others.TN Nursery offers native trees at affordable prices, and we frequently run a buy one, get one free sale.
Q: What makes the Sourwood Tree special?
A: Sourwood Trees stand out for their elegant drooping white summer flowers and brilliant red fall foliage. They add four-season interest and bring a truly native woodland charm to any landscape. Their nectar is also famous for producing the highly prized Sourwood honey.
Q: Where do Sourwood Trees grow best?
A: They thrive in well-drained, acidic soils and prefer full sun to partial shade. While they grow naturally in the Appalachian region, they adapt well to many Eastern and Southern landscapes when planted in the right soil conditions.
Q: How fast do Sourwood Trees grow?
A: They grow at a slow to moderate pace. They reward patience with exceptional color, clean structure, and long-term landscape value that continues to improve as the tree matures.
Q: Do Sourwood Trees attract pollinators?
A: Yes. Their midsummer blooms are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. They’re an excellent choice if you want to support pollinators while elevating the beauty of your garden.
Q: Are Sourwood Trees low maintenance?
A: Very. Once established, they require little more than occasional watering during prolonged periods of dryness. They naturally keep a tidy shape and rarely need pruning.
Q: How tall do Sourwood Trees get?
A: Most mature Sourwoods reach 20–30 feet, making them an ideal mid-sized ornamental tree for yards, woodland edges, and naturalized plantings.
Q: Do Sourwood Trees provide fall color?
A: Absolutely. They are renowned for producing some of the most vibrant reds and burgundies of any native tree. Its fall display is one of its most substantial landscape benefits.
Q: Can Sourwood Trees tolerate clay or alkaline soil?
A: Not well. Sourwoods prefer acidic, loose, well-drained soils. If you have clay or alkaline ground, amending the planting area with organic matter and planting slightly elevated can help.
Customer Reviews
The Sourwood Tree I ordered from TN Nursery exceeded expectations. Its blooms are lovely, and the tree is already establishing itself well in my yard. I highly recommend TN Nursery.
TN Nursery is my reliable source for Sourwood Trees. The one I received was fresh, well-rooted, and packaged securely. It has already begun to thrive in my garden with healthy new growth.
I am so happy with my Sourwood Tree purchase. It has already shown signs of beautiful growth, and I can’t wait to see its brilliant red fall foliage. TN Nursery delivered a top-quality tree.
The Sourwood Tree from TN Nursery has brought unique beauty to my garden. Its summer blooms and fall color are both outstanding. The tree was healthy and strong right out of the box.
The Sourwood Tree I purchased is thriving in my landscape. It came with well-developed roots and lush foliage. TN Nursery always provides top-quality trees, and this one is no exception.
Are sourwood trees good for anything?
Yes, Sourwood trees are excellent for both beauty and pollinator support. They produce fragrant white blooms that attract bees and yield prized sourwood honey. Their brilliant red fall foliage also makes them one of the most stunning ornamental trees in any landscape.
How tall does a sourwood tree get?
A Sourwood tree typically grows 20 to 30 feet tall with a narrow, pyramidal shape. It’s known for its elegant white summer blooms and brilliant red fall color. With sunlight and good soil, it grows strong and adds lasting beauty to any yard.
What are the cons of sourwood trees?
There are no cons to Sourwood trees—they’re stunning, easy to grow, and full of charm. Their white summer blooms attract bees, and their fiery red fall color is unmatched. This graceful tree enhances any landscape with beauty and resilience.
Exposure
Sourwood trees thrive in full sun to partial shade. They prefer a location with at least 4-6 hours of natural sunlight daily but can handle some shade, especially in hotter climates. Well-drained, acidic soils enhance their growth.
Height at Maturity
Over 25 Feet
Usage
Fast Growing
Shipped As
Bare-root
Ships
UPS
Planting Zones
5-9
How To Grow
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Trees
Bare root trees are shipped dormant without soil, making them lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to plant during the cool months of early spring or fall. To begin, soak the roots in a bucket of water for 4–6 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil and ample space for the tree’s mature size.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the spread of the roots and deep enough to keep the root flare (where the roots begin to spread from the trunk) at or slightly above ground level. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole, spread the roots evenly over it, backfill with native soil, and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.
Keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy) during the first growing season, and apply mulch around the base—avoiding direct contact with the trunk—to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Stake the tree if necessary, and prune only to remove dead or damaged branches. With proper care, your bare root tree will establish quickly and grow strong for years to come.
