One of the best, most consistent, and beautiful trees in the fall. Native to eastern North America and is the source of Tupelo honey. The Black Gum can be difficult to identify as a small shoot due to its variable nature. These trees can live to be over 400 years old. Difficult to transplant seedlings because of the taproot, but if container grown and moved in small sizes it will re-establish quite well.

Bark: Dark gray, brown, brown-black, and at times almost black; broken into thick ridge-like segments giving it a block-like appearance.

Foliage: Alternate, simple, obovate or ellipitcal. Three to 6 inches long and 1 1/2 - 3 inches wide. Dark green in the summer changing to fluorescent yellow to orange to scarlet to purple colors in the fall.

Flowers: Polygamodioecious, appearing with the leaves, small greenish yellow.

Fruit: Oblong drupe, 3/8 - 1/2 inch long, bluish black ripening in late September through early October and persisting until November. Fruit is eaten by many species of birds and mammals.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	1182
Scientific Name:	Nyssa sylvatica
Mature Height:	30-50 feet
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	20-30 feet
Branching Shape:	Somewhat pyramidal when young, developing into a irregularly rounded or flat-topped crown.
Growth Rate:	Slow to medium
Wood Strength:	Medium
Cold Hardiness Zone:	4-9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist
Light Requirements:	Sun, Part or Dappled Shade
Common Pests:	Cankers, leaf spots, rust, tupelo leaf miner and scale.
Comments:	Excellent specimen tree, acceptable street tree in residential areas. Outstanding summer and fall foliage and habit.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

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