Kyle,

contact Hidden Hollow Nursery and explain the situation to them. You might share the wood with some other propagators in that area. Just like maples, sourwood can be grafted on established understock under mist in August. Leaves must be removed from scion.

I actually already tried contacting Alex from there and am yet to receive a response, unfortunately. Also, do you think potting sourwood underdtock now would give it time yo establish before August?

I suppose that might work as a last resort. In TN & NC you should have many sources of sourwood liners (small plants). If you're planning to collect them from the road bank, go ahead, pot them up, keep them in shade for a few weeks. I want to encourage you to seek out the help of professional propagators with the adequate facilities.

Also consider Carolina Native Nursery. Haven't been there in a long time but they might steer you in thre right direction.

Oh, i totally understand, and would much prefer the help of professionals. its just finding one willing or not too busy.

Kyle, very interesting. I have never seen a broom on an Oxydendrum arboreum in my lengthy Pro life. It is my suggestion that you quickly get in touch with Woodlanders in Aiken, SC. It has an excellent on-line site with contact info. There might be some help there once you have sent them pictures. It is very possible, because of their interest in native plants, to find them wanting the whole broom. There is no dwarf form of this tree available and it certainly could be a welcomed addition to the landscaping business and efforts to save our native bees. If you find no interest there then ask for suggestions. I do know there is a group of propagators in that area who keep in close touch.

im still what you could consider a “budding” plantsman at 26 with no formal training, but my background is in wildlife and forestry science and ive done a pretty ridiculous amount of reading on various plant-science related topics; all that to say as soon as i saw the broom, i was confident it could be something special. sourwood is one of my favorite trees, and i had tried researching any cultivars multiple times, so i was fairly certain there wasnt anything like it on the market.

thank you for the info about Woodlanders. they hadnt even crossed my mind. i will send them an email shortly.

Hi Kyle:

The Neubauers were my first thought, and they've already been mentioned. Woodlanders is a great idea, too.

I would add to these the idea to contact any of multiple great growers and researchers in North Carolina, whose conditions may mimic yours and they are close by interstate. The JC Raulston Arboretum would be a first try (Mark Weathington), as well as Juniper Level Botanic Garden (Tony Avent, well known for trying ANYTHING that can't run away).

NC nursery business is full of folks that are capable propagators. Hawksridge Nursery, Camellia Forest, and likely many more could be quite interested in this find.

Time to really beat the bushes. I also would contact University of Tennessee horticulturists, and the two affiliated arboreta (in Knoxville and at Oak Ridge). Plant societies are full of professional and amateur propagators (Holly Society of America, American Magnolia Society, American Conifer Society, International Oak Society) that don't limit themselves to the particular category of their society. And to top it off: IPPS (International Plant Propagators Society) is in this business.

I suspect notes to any or all of them will garner a few responses. If you want some personal references for individuals who might be quicker to answer, let me know in a different venue than online here.

I dropped you a line over on NGA - if you are still a quercusnut...

I've got a promising contact in your area, and container Sourwood seedlings to boot.

What is NGA? message me on here if possible.

thank you for all the info. Alex just emailed me back earlier today and said he was interested and working on finding some rootstock.

i hadnt even thought about contacting UT. thats a wonderful idea. i graduated from there so i should have some decent contacts.

do you think the more propagators i can send it to the better?

Messages sent.

A good friend of mine has contacted Alex too. He has Sourwood in containers from Forrest Keeling, and will supply them. He is eager to be of assistance.

I used to know some UT extension professors, but I think they've all retired. Will Witte came from hardy stock. I know some folks associated with the arboretum, especially the holly collection.

I think you can never have enough competent people involved with managing a situation like this, when time is not on your side and this is an unusual species to work with - on a good day.

Keep as many options open as possible.

The Mr. Maple brothers would be a good bet. They are grafting machines! How about the Beaver Creek Nursery folks in Knoxville? They do a lot of propagation, but not sure about grafting.