Nyssa sylvatica

Black Gum Tree

Size

Black Gum Tree is a slow-growing deciduous tree with straight trunk and rounded crown that is native to the south east.  The lightly toothed shiny dark green foliage turns a spectacular scarlet in fall.  The clusters of non-showy greenish-white flowers are an excellent source of nectar for pollinators.  The flowers give way to small incredibly sour blue-black berries in fall.  Best grown in part sun and well-drained soils.  

Type: 

Tree

Height: 

30’ - 50’

Spread: 

20’ - 30’

Spacing: 

25’

USDA Hardiness Zone: 

3 - 9

Culture: 

Full SunPart Sun

Bloom Color: 

White

Season of Interest:

Fall

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  Scale, rust, canker, and leaf spots can be occasional problems.  Can tolerate both standing water and some drought.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, BordersWoodland GardensNaturalized AreasShade Tree, and Privacy Screen

COMPANION PLANTS: Bald CypressSwamp OakSwamp Rosemallow

IMAGE: Bostonian13Nyssa sylvatica treeCC BY-SA 3.0

Famartin2014-11-02 12 47 37 Black Tupelo foliage during autumn at the College of New Jersey in Ewing, New JerseyCC BY-SA 4.0