Black Gum Tree (Nyssa sylvatica)

Black Gum Tree: Nyssa sylvatica, or the black gum tree, is a tall and lovely tree that will flourish in the moderately warm USDA plant hardiness zones.

The black gum tree is a native species of the United States. In nature, you might see it in high woodlands, near swamplands or marshes, or occasionally in a floodplain. They are drought-tolerant after they mature but need an inch of weekly watering during the first growing season.

People choose the black gum tree for its easy going nature and pretty colors, especially its fiery red fall color. The black gum tree demands little from the gardener except a sunny to partial sun spot in the yard.

Nyssa sylvatica Has Several Common Names

Some gardeners prefer other common names for Nyssa sylvatica:

• Black gum Tree
• Black Gum Tree
• Black Tupelo Tree
• Common Tupelo Tree
• Cotton Gum Tree
• Nyssa Tree
• Pepperidge Tree
• Sour Gum Tree
• Tupelo Gum Tree

The Black Gum Tree Is Grand and Handsome

The black gum tree is a tall, medium-sized, and handsome tree. Each tree will grow to a mature height between forty to seventy feet. The species will develop a pyramidical crown with a rounded rather than a sharp shape at the top. The trunk will be three to four feet in diameter, proportionate to the height. The bark is medium to dark gray, with attractive furrows and ridges.

The black gum tree bears glorious deep green leaves with a pale green underside. Each leaf may measure about six inches long and three inches wide and have an elliptical shape and a blunt point at the tip. In the fall, those leaves will display gorgeous fiery red colors.

Each black gum tree can produce clusters of fruits that emerge around the end of August and continues to bear the fruit throughout the first weeks of autumn. Local wildlife, including squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and birds, will enjoy harvesting this feast into the early winter.

Order Your Black Gum Tree From TN Nursery

The black gum tree is a beautiful, mid-sized tree that will provide lovely green foliage in the summer and blazing red color in the autumn--please place your order with TN Nursery today.