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Tupelo Trees - Planting Guide and Attributes

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Image result for tupelo tree

The Beauty of the Tupelo Tree

The Tupelo Tree has gained the reputation of being an interestingly shaped, beautifully colored tree. There are ten species of these trees, five native to North America and the others native to south and east Asia. People choose this tree to add beautiful foliage to their landscape.

The Tupelo Tree is sometimes known as the Pioneer's Toothbrush due to the small, brittle twigs that can break off with a bundle of woody fibers on the end. These twigs were often used to clean the teeth in older days. Another name associated with this tree is the Beetlebung. This name came from the pioneers using hardwood to create mallets. The mallets were then used to produce barrels containing whale oil which were called beetles.

Today, the Tupelo Tree is used as a shade tree and prized for its beautiful foliage. The tree turns a glossy dark green during the summer and in fall and displays excellent colors. The leaves in fall will turn bright red, orange, yellow, and scarlet, and you may even see a hint of purple. These unique displays of colors can all appear on the same branch.

Growing your Tupelo Tree

The Black Tupelo, also called Black Gum, Sour Gum, or Pepperidge, grows in moist woody areas from North America south to the Coast and west to Oklahoma. The trees can grow to 60 feet and have been seen as high as 100 feet.

The Swamp Tupelo, also known as Cotton Gum, or Swamp Gum, grows in the swamps of the southeast. They stretch north to southern Illinois from the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River Valley. This variety typically reaches from 80 to 100 feet in height.

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The Tupelo Tree grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. It requires full sun and, once established, should receive occasionally watering unless in extreme heat where it will need water more regularly. The average height for a mature tree is 30-50 feet, although; they have been recorded to reach greater heights. Its landscape uses have been listed as; Woodland Garden, Very Wet Areas, Fire scaping/Fire Wise, Coastal Exposure, and Specimen.

When planting the Tupelo, it is suggested to provide it with thick, acidic, moist, and well-drained soil. During the first few growing seasons, make sure to water regularly and deeply to establish its roots. Once the tree has established itself, it will prefer evenly moist soil but will tolerate dry spells and heavy moisture. In the spring, you should apply fertilizer and prune for desired shape and structure in the winter.

Purchase the Tupelo Tree at TN Nursery

Black Gum - Tupelo Tree - TN Nursery

Black Gum - Tupelo Tree

Black Gum tree has some striking features like beautiful foliage. In the spring, the tree unfurls glossy green leaves that transition into vibrant shades of red, orange, and purple during the fall season. This stunning color change provides a visually captivating display to any landscape. It is a magnificent native species in the eastern United States. It boasts numerous pleasing attributes, making it a popular choice for landscaping and urban environments.From its stunning aesthetics to its environmental benefits, this tree offers a range of qualities that enhance any landscape. Additionally, Its foliage is relatively small and delicate, producing minimal leaf litter compared to other trees, making maintenance easier. The tree's unique form and structure also contribute to its appeal. This tree has a straight, upright trunk and a pyramidal or oval-shaped canopy, which can create an eye-catching focal point in a garden or park setting. It can be planted as a single specimen or grouped to create a striking cluster of trees, adding interest and dimension to the landscape design. Black Gum Trees Have Vibrant Fall Foliage Another attractive attribute of these trees is their versatility and adaptability. It flourished in various soil types, from wetlands to well-drained soils, making it suitable for various landscape conditions. Furthermore, this tree has good drought tolerance once established, making it an excellent choice for regions with intermittent water availability.Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Black Gum tree provides numerous environmental benefits. Its dense canopy offers ample shade during the summer months, helping to reduce temperatures and providing a comfortable retreat for people and wildlife alike. The tree's flowers provide a valuable nectar source for bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity in the surrounding area.One of this tree's most remarkable ecological contributions is its ability to support a variety of wildlife species. The tree's fruits, commonly known as "gum balls" or "drupes," are an essential food source for numerous bird species, including wild turkeys, woodpeckers, and songbirds. The tree's leaves also serve food for various caterpillars, making it a critical host plant for many butterfly species.Another practical advantage is its low-maintenance requirements. Once established, it generally requires minimal pruning and can withstand everyday urban stresses such as pollution and compacted soils. This makes it suitable for city landscapes, parks, and street planting.In conclusion, the Black Gum tree possesses many pleasing attributes that make it an excellent addition to any landscaping project. From its stunning foliage and unique form to its adaptability and environmental benefits, this native tree provides beauty, functionality, and ecological value to the landscape.  Whether used as a focal point or as part of a diverse planting scheme, it is a beautiful choice for enhancing any outdoor space's overall aesthetic and ecological quality. Black Gum, or Nyssa sylvatica, is an Eastern North American tree. This kind of tree is found in places like Ontario, Canada, and locations like the coast of Florida and Texas. This tree is considered a Kentucky native and a native to North America. Occasionally, the trees are found in Mexico. The U.S.D.A. hardiness zone for Black Gum trees is 4-9. Due to the Black Gum's densely packed branches and leaves, this tree is considered a shade tree because it can block sunlight.  The trees can grow between 30 and 50 feet tall and reach between 20 and 30 feet in diameter once it reaches full maturity. The sun exposure preference for this tree is full to partial sunlight with between 4 and 5 hours of direct sunlight. The Black Gum tree can grow in different soil types: acidic, moist, loamy, and sandy. Due to the tree's durability, it can live in other areas of the United States and Canada.  However, The Black Gum tree prefers well-drained, moist soil with acidity; this will allow the tree to grow and reach the correct maturity size. The Black Gum produces bluish-black grape-shaped fruit. This fruit can attract wild animals, birds, and bees. The fruits ripen in the spring, around September and October.  The Black Gum is known for its vibrant red leaves; this tree can hold different hues of red. The range of reds the tree can reach are gold yellows to dark purples. The fall colors on the Black Gum tree are beautiful, especially to wildlife.  The Black Gum occasionally changes to a vibrant green color. The tones of the tree primarily depend on the time of year. When the tree begins to get older, it gets shorter. The Black Gum is well known for being a tremendous honey-producing tree. The trees start to decay from top to bottom; the hollowed trees are often cut down and used as beehives.

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