Black Gum, Tupelo, Black Gum Tree, Common Tupelo Tree, Cotton Gum, Pepperidge, Sour Gum Tree
A terrific ornamental shade tree and a standout in the fall, Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) is a small, slow-growing, stately, deciduous tree with a dense, pyramidal habit. Typically, many slender, horizontally spreading branches grow from a straight trunk, providing this elegant, broadly conical habit. However, the shape of the crown may vary from tree to tree, some displaying a flat-topped crown. In spring, tiny, inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers appear in clusters at the top of a long stalk. While not showy, they are a rich source of nectar for bees. They give way to small, juicy, dark blue fruits (edible but sour!) that ripen in late summer and are quite popular with many birds and mammals. In fall, its ovate, extremely glossy, dark green leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), turn striking scarlet, orange, purple, and gold tones, often on the same branch, for a spectacular display. Even the distinctive bark, which furrows with age and resembles alligator hide, adds visual and textural interest. Nyssa sylvatica is considered one of the best and most consistent native trees for fall color and is well-displayed as an ornamental in many gardens.
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
7 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Cornaceae |
Common names | Black Gum Tree, Pepperidge, Tupelo |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Michigan, Midwest, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Clay Soil, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
7 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Cornaceae |
Common names | Black Gum Tree, Pepperidge, Tupelo |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Michigan, Midwest, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Clay Soil, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
How many Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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