Nyssa sylvatica black gum, sour gum, tupelo

Latin name Nyssa is identical to a Green water nymph, possibly as beautiful as this unique tree from North America. Its common names are black gum, sour gum or just tupelo. It is a slow growing yet large, deciduous tree with fantastic colours of autumn foliage. The leaves quite variable, they can be ovate or obovate or even elliptic, serrated at margins or smooth, and glossy. In spring and summer they are fresh green, and in autumn they turn a striking combination of golden yellow, orange, scarlet red and crimson purple.

Tupelo forms a broadly conical to pyramidal habit, old trees flatten their crowns. Its branches form horizontal layers and may droop at ends. Naturally it grows like a tree with more than one leader which brings more foliage and denser habit. The trunk is chocolate brown and heavily furrowed when old.

Tupelo hates transplanting owing to its taproot. We suggest working with potted plants only and find your tree a place where it will stay put once you plant it there. The soil should be acidic or at least neutral in pH, never alkaline. Make sure the ground is deep, reasonably drained but retaining moisture. It loves sun and space – even though it grows slowly, in maturity it can grow 6-9m wide and about 15m tall. Pruning, if needed, should be done in late autumn before frosts or in late winter. Hardy to min. -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 11-03-2014