Black Gum—Nyssa sylvatica

Medium | Deciduous | Height: 30-50 feet | Spread: 20-30 feet

This medium-sized deciduous tree is native to eastern North America. Greenish-white flowers bearing copious amounts of nectar attract pollinators in spring. Branches spread horizontally and bear glossy leaves in summer that turn purple and then intense bright scarlet in autumn. It tolerates many soil types and moisture conditions, and is slow growing, reaching about 12 to 15 feet in about ten years. Growth rate is increased with a good watering and fertilizer schedule. Once established, it is tolerant of drought, heat, and wet soils. It is a great shade tree with spectacular fall foliage.

Black gum is host to many species of moths, and the fruits are an important food source for songbirds including robins, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, and brown thrashers.

More information on the characteristics and cultivation of this species can be found at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/nyssa-sylvatica/.