PlantFiles: Sour Gum, Blackgum, Tupelo, Pepperidge
Nyssa sylvatica

I have a Nyssa sylvatica var. Biflora, It is a wonderful tree to have if you like to invite birds in your backyard. I have Cardinals that will sit and gorge themsleves on the dark blue fruit. As of yesterday witnessed the Cardinal eating these before they ripened, I guess he couldn't wait any longer.

I love this tree. Great color and form. The branches grow almost perpendicular to the trunk. Offers great winter interest as well when the beautiful fall color is gone! When I 'grow up' I want tons of these trees in my yard!!

This tree has great fall color and growth form. It has a nice pyramidal shape when young and grown in the open. Don't try to dig one up to transplant, the large taproot makes it impossible and they won't live. I have noticed that they color up and defoliate a little early in droughty years.

An absolutely wonderful tree in this area. It grows to a large shade tree and has few pests.

The scarlet leaves in the Fall are distinctive and vibrant. The fruits are eaten by birds and wildlife alike.

It grows well in any well drained soil and I've never noticed that it is more numerous in boggy areas...it's a common sight along fencerows in this area, as birds deposit the seeds when they perch on the fences.

Lumber is useful in furniture,paper, veneer and boxes.

I believe some of the images shown are actually nyssa sylvatica var. biflora (Swamp tupelo) but it's an easy and innocent mistake. Even way down here you can expect that scarlet color in the fall and down here what's nice is that the leaves turn at the same time but it only lasted a week. I had a couple in a shady spot and they have already called it a night. Not sure about the "consistently moist" requirement. Mine are in containers and I never watered them, I just let mother nature take care of that and she did a great job!

One of the few trees in our region that has fall color, usually starting in late summer. These hardwood trees are just that--we dulled a couple of chainsaw blades on a few that had to be taken down, and they were only about 4-6 inches in diameter. (Hint: use a really big chainsaw!) They form straight, smooth trunks and a make a good shade tree if they aren't hindered from spreading by other trees. Birds and squirrels eat the black drupes. The only drawback I've found with mine is that they freely sucker down the trunk and have to be trimmed regularly. I think this is because since our place had been timbered, the lower regions are receiving sunlight and spurring the growth.