Black Gum Tree Leaf Identification

Virginia tech dendrology is the source for tree identification.

Black gum tree leaf identification. The names used for this tree are black gum sourgum yellow gum black tupelo cotton gum tupelo gum pepperidge swamp tupelo swamp black gum sour gum or tupelo. Black tupelo or nyssa sylvatica is the most common true gum in north america and grows from canada to texas. Black gum referring to the dark leaves. Still others call it beetlebung stinkwood wild peartree or pepperidge.

Nyssa sylvatica commonly known as tupelo black tupelo black gum or sour gum is a medium sized deciduous tree native to eastern north america from the coastal northeastern united states and southern ontario south to central florida and eastern texas as well as mexico. Another common tree that is called a gum is sweetgum and is actually an entirely different tree species classification called liquidambar. The vast majority of different gum trees eucalyptus species including corymbia and blakella spp are endemic to australia. Originally from the united states the black gum tree s official genus name is nyssa sylvatica.

Alternate simple pinnately veined oblong to obovate in shape with an entire margin 3 to 5 inches long occasionally shallow lobes or coarse teeth near tip. When combined with the several other tupelo species these trees have the distinction of being favorites with honey producers. Grows 30 50 high. A tree of many monikers the black tupelo is also known in various areas as a gum tree sour gum bowl gum yellow gum or tupelo gum.

Nyssa sylvatica s genus name nyssa refers to a greek water nymph. Eucalypts and species belonging to the closely related genus corymbia bloodwoods are listed for identification purposes on the web page below. Fruit is bluish black and is loved by many birds. The species epithet sylvatica refers to its.

Aged black gums begin decaying from the top so trees become shorter as they grow older. While tupelo is derived from the creek indian name for the tree ito opilwa which means swamp tree. The flowers of black gum are light green in color and form into pendulous clusters in the spring. Makes a strong specimen tree.

Bark matures to medium gray and resembles alligator hide. Identification of eucalyptus species on australia s east coast. Expand the menu to access our tree identification pages. Blackgum cornaceae nyssa sylvatica marshall symbol.

The nyssa genus is native to north america. Nyssa is derived from the water nymph in greek mythology. The following are some black gum or sour gum tree facts. The fall display includes foliage in shades of orange red purple and yellow.

Black gum summer leaves are a dark green with a high gloss appearance but the most spectacular part of this tree is the fall foliage with many shades of yellow orange bright red purple or scarlet that may appear on the same branch.