Plant Details
Nyssa Sylvatica
Common name: Black Gum
Plants of Merit winner. One of our most beautiful and underused native trees. Rivals anything for fall color displays. Makes an excellent speciman tree, nice and tidy shape. Attractive, glossy, dark green leaves that turn fluorescent yellow, to orange, to scarlet red (most often), to purple colors in fall. Spectacular! Bark is dark gray to almost black, almost alligator-like patterns. Slow to grow, plant young trees in early spring. Deep rooted, so diffucult to transplant when mature. Separate male and female trees. Fruit the size of navey beans ripen to a dark blue in fall and are a favorite food to many birds. Host for the black and white Hebrew Moth.
Culture:
Native to low wet areas, but adaptable to dry sites and a wide range of soil types. Best in somewhat acidic soils.Once established, resistant to drought and flooding. Transplant as young trees in early spring.
Use:
Spectacular mid-sized specimen shade tree. One of the best trees for honey nectar.
Height:
30 to 50 feet
Spread:
20 to 30 feet
Color:
Green
Fall color: Red
USDA Hardiness Zone:
4 - 7
Good Companion Plants
- Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
- Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)
- Dutchman's Pipe-vine (Aristolochia tomentosa)
- Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
- Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)
Characteristics and Attributes
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Medium Sun/Average Shade
Season of Interest:
Mid (May - June)
Late (July - frost)
Winter (Nov - Mar)
Soil Moisture:
Average
Moderate
High
Wildlife Benefit:
Cover
Food/Birds
Butterfly Host
Special Uses:
Bog
Nature Attracting:
Butterfly
Songbird
Special Features:
Interesting Bark
Good Berries
