Nyssa sinensis

Chinese Tupelo

Nyssa sinensis
Chinese Tupelo / Chinese Black Gum

Nyssa sinensis is a deciduous ornamental shade tree grown for its glossy foliage, handsome form, and outstanding fall color. New leaves emerge bronze-purple in spring, mature to green in summer, then turn brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, and sometimes purple in autumn. It usually develops a straight trunk with a rounded to broadly conical crown and is generally smaller and more garden-scaled than many mature Nyssa sylvatica forms. NC State lists Chinese tupelo as reaching about 30–50 ft. tall at maturity and notes that it may take 10 years to reach about half that size.

Type: Deciduous ornamental shade tree
Mature Size: 20–35 ft. wide × 30–50 ft. tall
USDA Zones: 6a–9b; some sources list 5b–8b depending on site protection and climate
Form: Rounded to broadly conical tree with a straight trunk
Light: Full sun to part shade; best fall color in full sun
Soil / Water: Acidic, moist, fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates moist sites but should not be planted in high-pH or very dry soil
Bloom Time / Length: Spring; small white flowers, usually not showy
Wildlife: Flowers may support bees and other small pollinating insects; small dark fruits, when produced, may be eaten by birds.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent ornamental tree for fall color, specimen planting, lawn areas, woodland edges, rain-garden margins, and moist acidic sites. Great Plant Picks describes the leaves as large, often 8–10 inches long, with fall color ranging from brilliant red and pumpkin orange to yellow. Trees and Shrubs Online notes that Nyssa sinensis is native to China and northern Vietnam and may reach about 20 m in the wild, though it is often smaller in cultivation.

Care:
Plant young, because tupelos can be difficult to transplant once larger. Choose a site with acidic, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Water regularly during establishment and during drought. Prune only as needed in late winter to remove damaged, crossing, or poorly placed branches. Avoid compacted soil, high-pH soil, and heavy root disturbance.

Plant type

Deciduous Tree

Height

30=50'

Width

20-35'

Hardiness zones

6–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Leaf color

Green

Soil

Acidic, Humus rich, Moist well-drained

Shape

Broad, Pyramidal, Rounded

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No