Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sour Gum, Black Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica

Family: Nyssaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.

Nyssa sylvatica is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Low acid woods, swamps and shores in imperfectly drained soils. Also found on high wooded slopes in the south of its range.

Eastern N. America - Maine to Florida, west to Ontario and Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. A thin sharply acid pulp that is pleasant to roll in the mouth as a masticatory, it is also used in preserves. Pleasantly acidulous. The fruit is up to 15mm in diameter and is borne in small clusters of 2 - 3.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The bark is emetic, ophthalmic and vermifuge. An infusion has been used as a bath and also given to children with worms. A strong decoction is used to cause vomiting when unable to retain food. A strong ooze from the roots is used as eye drops.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Other

Rating:

Wood - tough, not durable, soft, heavy, hard to work and warps easily. It has an intricately contorted and twisted grain. It weighs 40lb per cubic foot and is used for making boxes, soles of shoes, wooden pipes, wheel hubs, veneer etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Firewood, Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen. Although this is a plant of swamps and other wet soils in the wild, once established it can succeed in Britain when growing in an ordinary good loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. It prefers a neutral to alkaline soil according to one report, whilst another says that it requires a lime-free soil. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and growing in maritime regions. A very ornamental tree, it has a moderate rate of growth and moderate longevity. Resents root disturbance, it is difficult to transplant except when young. The tree does not come into leaf until late May. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Wetlands plant, Attracts butterflies, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: The seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame but would probably benefit from an earlier sowing if the seed can be obtained any sooner. Three months stratification at 5°c improves germination. Germination rates are variable. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

N. multiflora. N. villosa.