Nyssa sylvatica

Blackgum

Nyssa sylvatica
Black Gum / Black Tupelo / Sour Gum

Nyssa sylvatica is a deciduous native shade tree valued for its glossy green summer foliage, strong pyramidal shape when young, and outstanding fall color. Leaves often turn brilliant red, orange, scarlet, yellow, and purple in autumn, making it one of the best native trees for reliable fall display. It typically develops a straight trunk with a rounded crown as it matures and is useful as a specimen tree, shade tree, lawn tree, street tree, native garden tree, or rain-garden / wet-site tree. Missouri Botanical Garden describes it as a slow-growing native tree that occurs in low wet woods, bottomlands, pond edges, dry rocky wooded slopes, and ravines.

Type: Deciduous native shade tree
Mature Size: 20–35 ft. wide × 40–70 ft. tall; often 30–50 ft. tall in cultivation
USDA Zones: 4a–9b
Form: Pyramidal when young, becoming rounded to oval with age
Light: Full sun to part shade; best fall color in full sun
Soil / Water: Acidic, moist, well-drained to wet soil; tolerates occasional flooding and some drought once established
Bloom Time / Length: Spring; small greenish-white flowers, usually not showy
Wildlife: Flowers support bees and other pollinating insects; blue-black fruits are favored by birds and wildlife. NC State notes that male and female trees are generally needed for fruit production, though some trees may have a few perfect flowers.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent native tree for fall color, wildlife gardens, moist areas, rain gardens, pond edges, naturalized areas, large lawns, and specimen planting. It is especially useful where a strong ornamental shade tree is wanted without messy large fruit. Kentucky Extension notes that the glossy foliage consistently develops crimson, yellow, or orange fall color, and that the blue-black berries are favored by wildlife.

Care:
Plant young, because black gum develops a strong taproot and can be difficult to transplant when larger. Choose acidic soil and avoid high-pH, compacted, or very dry sites. Water regularly during establishment and during drought. Prune lightly in late winter to remove damaged, crossing, or poorly placed branches. Avoid heavy root disturbance or construction damage around established trees.

Plant type

Deciduous Tree

Height

30-50'

Width

20-35'

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Summer

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Ruby

Fruit color

Tyrian Purple

Soil

Acidic, Moist well-drained, Rich, Wet Area

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Specimen

Shape

Oval Upright, Pyramidal

Bark

Corky

Fruit

Yes

Drought tolerant

No