Black Gum Tree Wood

However most black gum trees settle in at around 30 feet with a span of 20 feet of leafy branches.
Black gum tree wood. Black gum is one of the best honey producing trees in the world. Black gum s twisted interlocked grain makes it nearly impossible to split but in veneer form perfect for berry baskets. Black gum is excellent for turning. The resilient wood is good for making tool handles.
Blackgum also called black tupelo tupelo gum or just tupelo is a tree that loves to grow in water and water soaked soils. In fact the genus nyssa is the name of a water nymph. Tupelo is a favored wood for wildfowl carvings. The black gum nyssa sylvatica is a deciduous tree that is originally from the united states.
I have done several turnings from a down black gum on my property and they are beautiful. The national champion black gum 67 feet is in new jersey. The black gum tree can grow to a towering 75 feet in height with a canopy stretching out to 35 feet. It needs full sun to grow to its fullest height although it can flourish in part shade as well.
It has a sweet odor when cut a tight and tortuous grain pattern with burl characteristics especially in the crooked limbs. Black gum is an excellent choice to add autumn color to your garden. The name tupelo is of native american origin coming from the muskogee words ito tree and opilwa swamp. Because of its twisted grain black gum cannot be split so it has been somewhat spared by lumbermen.
Carving furniture crates boxes and utility wood.