Maryland Native Trees: Black Gum
Maryland Native Trees
Nyssa sylvatica – Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica, or black gum or black tupelo, is a slow-growing, deciduous native tree. Black gum can be grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. The tree tolerates growing in standing water but can also tolerate some drought and dryish soils. Most black gum trees are dioecious with separate male and female trees. The female tree flowers appear in the spring in sparse clusters along the branches while male tree flowers appear in dense heads. Both types of flowers are greenish-white. In the fall, Nyssa sylvatica has beautiful scarlet red leaves. The tree is often used as a street tree and in rain gardens. It can also be called sour gum.
Black gum is an important food source for migrating songbirds throughout the fall, as well as for small mammals. They also support native pollinators, including native bees.
Plant Information
Latin Name: Nyssa sylvatica
Common Name: Black Gum
Type: Tree
Family: Nyssaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 30.00 to 50.00 feet
Spread: 20.00 to 30.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Greenish white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Shade tree, street tree, rain garden
Flower: Insignificant
Leaf: Good Fall
Attracts: Birds
Tolerate: Clay soil, wet soil, black walnut
(Information from Missouri Botanical Garden, University of Maryland Extension)