Nyssa sylvatica

Common Name

Nyssa sylvatica is commonly known as black gum, black tupelo, or simply tupelo.

Description

Nyssa sylvatica is a medium to large deciduous tree known for its stunning fall foliage and distinctive bark. Key characteristics include:

• Height: Typically grows between 15-24 meters (50-80 feet), occasionally reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet).
• Trunk: The trunk is often straight with furrowed bark that becomes deeply ridged as the tree matures. The bark is gray to blackish in color.
• Leaves: The leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptical to obovate in shape, 5-12 cm long, with entire margins. They are glossy green in the summer and turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, bright red, and sometimes purple in the fall.
• Flowers: Small greenish-white flowers appear in clusters in early spring, before the leaves emerge. The tree is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees.
• Fruit: The fruit is a small, dark blue to black drupe, about 1 cm in diameter, borne on reddish stalks. It ripens in late summer to early fall and is a valuable food source for wildlife.

Location/Distribution

Nyssa sylvatica is native to eastern North America. Its distribution includes:

• Eastern United States: Found from Maine to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma.
• Preferred Habitat: Typically found in moist to wet soils of bottomlands, swamps, and along streams and rivers. It can also grow in upland forests but thrives in sites with consistent moisture.

Environmental Concerns

Nyssa sylvatica has minimal environmental concerns, but some considerations include:

• Habitat Loss: Clearing of wetlands and forests for development can reduce suitable habitat for black gum.
• Climate Change: Changes in precipitation patterns and temperature could affect the availability of suitable habitat and impact populations.
• Pest and Disease: Generally resilient, but susceptible to diseases like leaf spots and rusts, which can affect tree health in stressed environments.

Other Information

• Ornamental Use: Black gum is prized for its outstanding fall foliage, making it a popular choice in landscaping and gardens. It is also used in urban plantings and parks.
• Wildlife Value: The fruits are important for wildlife, including birds (such as woodpeckers and thrushes) and mammals (such as squirrels and deer).
• Wood Uses: The wood is heavy, strong, and fine-grained, used for veneer, furniture, and tool handles. It is also used in construction and for flooring.
• Ecological Role: Black gum plays a vital role in wetland ecosystems, providing food and shelter for wildlife and contributing to water quality and flood control.
• Growth Conditions: Prefers acidic, moist to wet soils but can tolerate drier conditions once established. It prefers full sun to partial shade and is relatively tolerant of flooding.
• Conservation Status: Not listed as endangered, but conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats where it thrives and ensuring sustainable management practices.

Nyssa sylvatica, or black gum/black tupelo, is a valuable tree species valued for its ecological importance, aesthetic appeal, and wood quality. Its adaptability to various soil types and striking fall colors make it a standout species in its native range.