Common Name: Sorrel Tree

General Information

Oxydendrum arboreum is a deciduous tree that is sometimes more or less shrubby and less than 6 metres tall, though most commonly grows around 6 - 15 metres tall, and in ideal conditions can reach 20.metres or more. The slender trunk is generally around 20 - 30cm in diameter, occasionally reaching 60cm. The crown is small when growing in deep shade, but is usually made up of several stout ascending limbs in the open[, ]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued especiallyfor its brilliant leaf colour in the autumn and its late summer flowering[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Indiana to New York, south to Louisiana and Florida

Habitat

Usually found as an understorey tree in well-drained gravelly soils on ridges rising above the banks of streams[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Oxydendrum arboreum is native to the temperate regions of eastern and southern USA. It is found in regions where the mean annual rainfall is distributed throughout the year and can range from as low as 1,020mm in the north of its range to 2,030mm in mountainous regions - winter precipitation can often fall as snow. Winter temperatures can fall as low as -20°c, with summer highs up to 40°c. The growing season can range from 150 - 300 days[].
Requires a moist well-drained lime-free soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range of 4 to 6[]. Succeeds in light dappled shade or in full sun[], it appreciates the protection of other tall shrubs and trees[, ]. Plants can succeed in deep shade in native woodland[].
A very ornamental plant[], it is rather slow growing, especially when growing at the limits of its hardiness[].
Plants can flower in 4 - 5 years from seed. The flowers are sweetly scented[].
Transplant with care, plants may take some time to re-establish themselves[].
The trees usually respond vigorously to coppicing[].
The flowers are very attractive to bees[, ].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw[, , ]. A pleasant acid flavour[]. They allay thirst[].

Medicinal

The leaves are cardiac, diuretic, refrigerant and tonic[, ]. A tea made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea, indigestion and to check excessive menstrual bleeding[, ]. It is diuretic and is used as a cooling drin and a folk remedy for treating fevers, kidney and bladder ailments[, , ].

The bark has been chewed in the treatment of mouth ulcers[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is reddish-brown; the thick layer of sapwood is brownish-white. The wood is very close-grained, moderately heavy, hard, strong and compact. It weighs 46lb per cubic foot. An attractive wood that takes a beautiful polish, though it is usually only available in small dimensions and so not important commercially. It is sometimes used for panelling, tool handles, small articles of wooden-ware, bearings etc[, , , , ].

Propagation

Surface sow the seed[] in a shady place in a greenhouse either as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[] or in late winter[]. Germination is variable[]. Put outside in a shady position as soon as it germinates and overwinter in a frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seedlings are susceptible to damping off and so should be kept well-ventilated and should not be over-watered.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[]. Very difficult to root, even with rooting hormones[].
Layering.