Black gum
Nyssa sylvatica 路 Nyssaceae 路 also Black tupelo, Tupelo, Sour gum
A medium tree, pyramidal when young with horizontal branches, developing blocky 'alligator' bark with age. Its glossy leaves give one of the most reliable scarlet fall displays in the East, and small blue-black fruits on female trees feed robins and other songbirds in early fall. Slow, tidy and wind-firm, it works as a street, lawn or rain-garden tree where the soil is acidic. Cultivars such as 'Wildfire', 'Afterburner' and 'Gum Drop' are widely sold.
Where it stands
Native
Recommended
- 馃嚭馃嚫 Portland, OR, United States 路 Tupelo cultivars 'Afterburner', 'Firestarter', 'Red Rage', 'Sheri's Cloud' and 'Wildfire' are on Portland's list for 4.0 to 5.9 ft planting strips.source
- 馃嚭馃嚫 Seattle, WA, United States 路 Named by Seattle's Trees for Seattle tree-selection guidance as a tree for poorly drained sites that stay wet in winter.source
Care
Plant container-grown stock in spring in its permanent spot, since the taproot resents moving. Water regularly the first two years. Prune in late fall or winter. Largely trouble-free apart from leaf spots, cankers and chlorosis on high-pH soil; deer browse seedlings.
Benefits
Good for