Nyssa sylvatica

black gum, tupelo

Nyssaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

30-50 ft tall by 30-50 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Deciduous. Blooms in spring. Fruits ripen in fall.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Fall Color

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree where its sweeping branches and scarlet fall color can be appreciated. Shade tree.

Considerations:

Low branches are set at 90 degrees to the trunk and spread widely, so does not make a good street or lawn tree.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds, Mammals

Bee pollinated.

Seeds are eaten by birds and small-to-medium-sized mammals.

Native Habitats:

Wooded areas, usually sandy, moist to dry.