Even when it’s not fall, it’s still has great color. It has oval leaves that are a lovely glossy green. Glossy enough that the shine is noticeable compared to other nearby trees. ... It’s not a “messy” tree .
How fast does a black gum tree grow?
The black gum tree (Nyssa sylvatica) is a medium-size deciduous tree (it drops its leaves in the fall) with a slow growth rate, gaining only around 1 to 2 feet per year .
How big do black gum trees get?
This medium shade tree can grow upwards of 30 – 50′ tall and 20-30′ wide , and it’s best to plant 15-30 feet away from buildings or power lines. The black gum can grow in full sun to partial shade, and prefers moist, acidic, well drained soil.
Where do black gum trees grow?
The black gum — also called black tupelo or sour gum — is a native tree found throughout eastern North America, from Southern Ontario and Maine all the way to Florida and Texas . It is a medium-sized deciduous tree, usually maturing at a height between 66 and 82 feet.
Do black gum trees have deep roots?
Although black gum often grows in swamps, it has been found growing well on dry sites and has shown the ability to tolerate droughts, which may be attributed to its genetic ability to grow a deep root system .
What are the worst trees to plant?
- Red Oak. Red oak is one messy tree. ...
- Sweetgum Trees. Sweetgum Trees are known for their lovely fall colour. ...
- Bradford Pear. ...
- Lombardy Poplar. ...
- Ginkgo biloba. ...
- Eucalyptus. ...
- Mulberry. ...
- Weeping Willow.
Are black gum tree berries poisonous to dogs?
The tree is not toxic to dogs and cats , but the seedpods do present a different type of health threat if your pet were to step on one.
Can you eat black gum berries?
If you can it’s exclusive waterfront.) Like many trees, the Black Tupelo, also called the Black Gum tree and the Sour Gum, barely makes it into the edible realm. The pulp of its fruit is technically edible , extremely sour and extremely bitter, which is why it is usually used in sweetened preserves.
What is the difference between a black gum tree and a sweet gum tree?
Despite its name the gum is not sweet. It’s called Sweet Gum to separate it from a different species altogether, the Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica, which is extremely sour and bitter. In comparison the mildly bitter Sweet Gum is definitely sweeter.
Are there male and female black gum trees?
Black gum is a dioecious species, meaning that individual trees are either female or male . This one is a male, so although it makes small, green male flowers, it will never produce fruit. ... Its habitat is quite different from other Nyssa species which tend to grow in swamps and wetlands.
What does the fruit of a black gum tree look like?
☙ Fruit: The fruit produced by Black gum trees is high in crude fat, fiber, phosphorous, and calcium, which makes it very attractive to small mammals and birds. They resemble blue colored grapes or berries , but they are not either of the two. They are a dark purple-like blue with a fleshy coating and ribbed pit.
Do gum trees have invasive roots?
Gums (Eucalyptus)
Gum trees vary in shape, height and colour, but all have similar characteristics that can make them problematic for planting near a home. This includes their aggressive root system that can be far-reaching and cause foundational damage to homes.
How do you take care of a black gum tree?
- Feed the tree in the fall with a slow-release granular fertilizer. ...
- Water the soil twice a week when the tree is young. ...
- Rake up pest-infested leaves and prune diseased limbs as they appear. ...
- Prune lower drooping branches each winter to make it easier to walk under the tree.
What is the life expectancy of a gum tree?
However, this long-lived tree – the sweet gum can live more than 150 years -doesn’t flower or produce seed for the first 15 to 20 years of its growth.
Is black gum a good street tree?
Black gum can be used as a street tree in median plantings , but it tends not to do well in areas with high pollution. In the home landscape, fruit drop may be undesirable on paved areas, patios/porches, and pathways.
Is black gum good for firewood?
Black gum’s twisted, interlocked grain makes it nearly impossible to split, but in veneer form, perfect for berry baskets. ... Not that black gum, or black tupelo as it is sometimes called, didn’t yield good wood . The fact was, that once down, a black gum log was nearly impossible to split with tools at hand.
