Understanding the Varieties of the Black Gum Tree
The Black Gum Tree: Characteristics, Varieties, Benefits, and Stunning Fall Color
March 4, 2023
Maple trees make for one impressive springtime spectacle. But, if you haven’t noticed, maple trees are not always the dominating tree during foliage season — that honor goes to the black gum tree.
This tree’s dark bark and unusual shape starkly contrast the more familiar sugar maple. The leaves of the black gum are darker than their sugar counterparts, and they develop pinkish-purple flowers in mid-spring. The black gum tree has male and female flowers on separate trees, and a male tree is necessary to pollinate the female flowers.
But there’s more to these trees than just the leaves. Though they are related to sugar maple, they are more closely related to beech trees. The tree's spring flowers attract bees and contribute to honey production.
A tree has two distinct trunks on each side. The second trunk runs along the ground and ends in a knot. In this knot, the berries are stored after ripening on the branch.
Physical Description
The Black Gum tree (Nyssa sylvatica) is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that can reach impressive heights of 40-70 feet, with a spread of 20-30 feet. Its trunk, often 1-2 feet in diameter, can sometimes grow as wide as 4-5 feet. The tree’s bark is a distinctive grayish-brown, deeply furrowed and ridged, giving it an appearance reminiscent of alligator hide. The leaves are elliptical to obovate, measuring 4-5 inches long, with finely toothed or smooth margins. During the summer, the leaves are a glossy dark green, but come to fall, they transform into a stunning display of yellow, orange, bright red, purple, and scarlet hues, making the black gum tree a true spectacle in any landscape.
Tree Varieties
Black gum, also known as bowl gum, has several varieties, including black gum, swamp black gum, and pepperidge. Despite minor differences in leaf and bark, they have the same essential characteristics. All varieties have oblong-shaped leaves that alternate and measure two to four inches long with smooth margins. The fruits are nearly spherical and about one-half inch wide. Their brownish skin has a soft texture with a single seed embedded in the flesh.
Where and Where Not to Grow Black Gum: Full Sun Requirements
Black gum trees are not famous street trees because they grow tall and drop branches. They also require significant water—over 50 inches per year. For this reason, they do well next to lakes and streams or even in swamps and bogs. Black gum trees thrive best in acidic soil, which provides the ideal conditions for their growth and establishment.
Though this tree attracts attention for its unusual nature, it is not recommended for planting in heavily populated areas such as parks or yards. Once English settlers realized the fragrant and nutritious fruits of the black gum, they planted them on their extensive plantations. It is common to see black gum trees in front of plantation homes in the southeastern United States.
Certain black gum trees resist leaf spots, highlighting their hardiness and appeal to gardeners concerned about plant health.
Growing Conditions and Habitat of Black Gum
Black Gum trees are native to North America, flourishing in the southeastern United States, from southern Ontario to the Central and Eastern United States, and even into Mexico. These versatile trees thrive in various habitats, including dry upland forests, bottomlands, savannas, swamp margins, upland depressions, hills, and mountains. They prefer full sun to partial shade and acidic soils, with a pH range of 5.5-6.5. Black gum trees are remarkably adaptable, tolerating drought, heat, and dry and wet soils, though they are not fond of alkaline soils. This adaptability makes them a resilient choice for diverse landscapes.
Benefits
Black Gum and Sweet Gum Tree have uses in traditional medicine. The leaves of this tree have been used as a substitute for mullein leaves to treat fever and rheumatism. Similarly, the pith from the trunk has been used to treat several ailments. The black gum tree, also known as sour gum or tupelo gum, is highly valued for its aesthetic and ecological benefits.
Though these trees can sometimes be found in gardens and yards, they are often found in swamps and Wetland Plants. Generally, not many black gum trees are found in residential areas, except for floodplain forests or prairie plantings. The tree's spring flowers attract bees, leading to the production of tupelo honey.
The tree is also a significant part of an ecological community. Its spreading root system helps prevent soil erosion, while its thick shade keeps the ground cool and moist.
It is also a food source for more than 100 species of wildlife — especially squirrels. These trees have high amounts of food value and protein, so they are the prime food source for squirrels in winter.
The sap from black gum trees has many traditional uses, such as chewing, cooking, and boiling to make maple syrup. Though black gum trees, also known as yellow gum, are not popular street trees, they have many uses and benefits for the ecological community.
Care and Maintenance
Black Gum trees are relatively low-maintenance, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a beautiful yet easy-to-care-for tree. While they require minimal attention, regular watering during their first year of growth is beneficial to help establish a strong root system. These trees prefer well-drained acidic soils, so it is crucial to avoid planting them in areas prone to standing water. Although fertilization is unnecessary, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can promote healthy growth. Pruning is generally not required, but removing dead or damaged branches can help maintain the tree’s shape and encourage robust growth. With these simple care tips, black gum trees can thrive and bring stunning fall color to any landscape.