For:
By: Daniel E. Mullins
Extension Horticulture Agent
Add This Tree to Your Replacement
List
If I told you that there is a native tree with an almost perfect natural branching habit, is adapted to most local soil types, provides excellent early fall color and is wind tolerant, would you be interested? I thought so.
It goes by several common names including blackgum, sour gum and tupelo. One area thought so much of this tree
that in 1870 their city was named for it.
It is now
Blackgum belongs to the Genus Nyssa, and there are three species and two varieties that are native to the local area. Anyone interested in establishing a blackgum should choose the species that is best adapted to a particular situation. Nyssa sylvatica, known as blackgum, sourgum and pepperidge reaches an adult size of 50 to 80 feet in height and is adapted to the widest range of soil types from wetlands to uplands.
There are many morphological variations of Nyssa sylvatica. Slight differences are seen in leaf size and growth habit when comparing those that grow on dry, upland locations as compared to those growing on slopes and in bottomlands. It is therefore important to obtain trees from local stock when possible.
Nyssa aquatica, or the water tupelo is found growing naturally in wet areas – around ponds, swamps and in flood plains. The trunk has a swollen, tapered base similar to those of bald and pond cypress and is often seen growing among these two species. The leaves and dark purple fruit of water tupelo are much larger than those of the upland species.
It is surprising that blackgum is such a little
used landscape tree. The sylvatica species is commonly found on many state’s
Extension recommended landscape tree lists. These recommendations often include
positive comments about blackgum. According to the
“Native Trees for
Though blackgum is an excellent landscape plant, finding nursery grown trees for planting might not be easy. Since this species is not well known, there has been little demand for it locally. Check local nurseries and garden centers first and if none are found, ask your retailer to order for you.
Blackgum trivia: Early Americans made use of blackgum twigs as toothbrushes. Small diameter branches from the past season’s growth were cut into six inch long pieces and the tips were crushed or chewed. The fibers separated evenly and were durable enough for this use.
Southern blackgum trivia: Blackgum twigs have also been used by snuff dippers over the past two centuries. Fresh twigs were prepared as needed by crushing or chewing the tips. Individual twigs were then moistened and dipped into the snuff. Many dippers kept the tip of the twig in their mouth. Every dipper knew where the nearest blackgum tree was located and youngsters were routinely sent to bring some fresh twigs when the supply ran low.
Question of the Week: I would like to level my yard by adding a thin layer of soil. When is the best time to do this?
Answer: This procedure is known as
topdressing. April is usually the
best time to do this. That time of
year generally coincides with the spring flush of growth and the grass will be
more able to quickly grow through the layer of new soil than during other
seasons. Use a clean, weed free
sandy based material and limit the depth of topdressing to no more than one-half
inch. Where more is needed, it
would be best to add soil in stages, allowing time for the grass to grow through
the previous application before adding soil again.