The spray is fine and abundant and lies horizontally so that the foliage arrangement is not unlike that of the beech (Fagus). [9], Nyssa sylvatica is found in a variety of upland and wetland habitats in its extensive range. Louisiana Plant ID is an online resource for images and descrptions of Louisiana plants and ecosystems. The shrub layer is dominated by scrub oaks (Quercus ilicifolia, Q. prinoides), and heath species such as lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium, V. pallidum), and black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata). It comes from the Creek words ito ‘tree’ and opilwa ‘swamp’. The limbs of these trees often deteriorate early, and the decayed holes make excellent dens for squirrels, raccoons, Virginia opossums, as well as nesting sites for honeybees. Provides stunning fall color, bringing many shades of yellow, orange, bright red, purple and scarlet. The resulting honey is light and mild-tasting, fetching a high price, especially in Florida where it is a million dollar business annually. The tree is best when grown in sheltered but not crowded positions, developing a pyramidal shape in youth, and spreading with age. The sour fruits are eagerly sought by many kinds of birds, including: American robin, Swainson's thrush, gray-cheeked thrush, hermit thrush, wood thrush, northern cardinal, northern mockingbird, blue jay, red-bellied woodpecker, yellow-bellied sapsucker, northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, eastern phoebe, brown thrasher, eastern bluebird, European starling, scarlet tanager, gray catbird, cedar waxwing, and American crow,[citation needed] all primarily eastern North American birds migrating or residing year-round within the tree's range. The binomial name of black tupelo is Nyssa sylvatica.The word “Nyssa” refers to a water nymph in Greek, whereas “tupelo” is of an American origin.It comes from … It also occurs locally in central and southern Mexico. These trees grow best on well-drained, light-textured soils on the low ridges of second bottoms and on the high flats of silty alluvium. ft., 39.59. Features alternate, simple leaves 3–6" in length with an ovate, obovate or elliptical shape that are extremely glossy and dark green in the summer. Nyssa sylvatica is an important food source for many migrating birds in the fall [autumn]. It is not found in deep swamps or in lands subject to periodic inundation with water. Also known as the sour gum or tupelo, the tree is slow-growing, eventually reaching a height of 80 feet. One of the most attractive native trees around. Black Tupelo This tree can live over 650 yrs. Hollow sections of black gum trunks were formerly used as bee gums by beekeepers.[14]. Blackjack oak is a common timber tree in forests that have been badly burned or are growing on the poorest soils. The Black Tupelo is botanically called Nyssa sylvatica. The leaves flutter easily in the slightest of breezes and form a rounded canopy. black tupelo, sourgum, sour gum Leaf Type: Deciduous Texas Native: Firewise: Tree Description: A large forest tree reaching a height of over 100 feet and a trunk that exceeds 3 feet in diameter, with a straight trunk and many horizontal branches of a similar size that form a narrow, oval crown. Its leaflets are thinner and less glossy, "with rather long tips, the under surface persistently somewhat downy and covered with minute warty excrescences easily seen under an ordinary hand lens"[5] "Yellow Gum is not a swamp tree, like Black Gum, but an inhabitant of dry land, hills, and the coves of the southern Appalachians which it ascends to 3500 feet"[5]. Tupelo wood is highly cross-grained, making it difficult to work. Inner scales enlarge with the growing shoot, becoming red before they fall. The blackgum grows on a variety of sites with moist, rich soils near swamps in mixed, upland hardwood forests and on lower mountain slopes. In Appalachia, the frequent variant is Nyssa sylvatica var. Tupelo Tree: Facts, Info on Tupelo Trees. 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. Still others call it beetlebung, stinkwood, wild peartree or pepperidge. The blackgum grows on a variety of sites with moist, rich soils near swamps in mixed, upland hardwood forests and on lower mountain slopes. When combined with the several other tupelo species, these trees have the distinction of being favorites with honey producers. Stamens: Five to twelve. In summer they are shiny dark green above and downy below. I'm curious if there was a positive identification of the fungus affecting Bill's tupelo trees. Comments: The name tupelo is of Native American origin, coming from the Muskogee words ito (tree) and opilwa (swamp). botany plants antique engraving illustration: black gum tree - tupelo tree stock illustrations wood vetch, vicia sylvatica, victorian botanical illustration, 1863 - tupelo tree stock illustrations reflections, sheffield park garden, east sussex - tupelo tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. 1. 1913. Click on … That's why I have one shading the southwest side of my home from the sun. View Map. When combined with the several other tupelo species, these trees have the distinction of being favorites with honey producers. The largest recorded black tupelo tree is 144 feet tall and has a crown spread of 95 feet. [3] The bark is dark gray and flaky when young, but it becomes furrowed with age, resembling alligator hide on very old stems. Often crowded toward the tips of branches. Pages 12 & 26 "The Tie Guide 2nd edition (2016)" Prepared for the Railway Tie Association (RTA) by David A. Webb and Geoffrey V. Webb, Learn how and when to remove this template message, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T61990588A61990590.en, "Tupelo, Black gum, sour gum - Nyssa sylvatica", http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~adk/oldlisteast/#spp, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Source, Interactive Distribution Map for Nyssa sylvatica, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nyssa_sylvatica&oldid=985301263, Trees of the Great Lakes region (North America), Articles needing additional references from June 2010, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. It also provides nutrition for bees in early to late spring. [3] Both of these names contrast it with a different tree species with a broadly overlapping range, the sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), which does produce an aromatic resin. [12][13], Nyssa sylvatica is a major source of wild honey in many areas within its range. 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. Black tupelo Sycamore The American sycamore tree's leaf looks like a maple tree leaf at first glance, but it's less "pointy" in appearance if you take a closer look at it. The vegetation of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The genus name Nyssa refers to a Greek water nymph, and the species name sylvatica refers to a woodland habitat. The most common and familiar tupelo trees are the black gum tupelo trees (Nyssa sylvatica).These trees stand up to 80 feet (24 m.) tall at maturity. Because it is resistant to wear and very readily accepts creosote-based preservatives it is considered to be a premier wood for making railroad ties. Blackgum or tupelo trees (missing the “swamp” in front of their common name—aka Nyssa sylvatica) are actually excellent landscape trees that can thrive in home landscapes. Looks like it might be Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica). Tree identification by images of bark. wide, straight trunk, although you may occasionally see a split trunk. Entirely wanting in sterile flower. to 90 cm.) You may be familiar with one of the numerous other names the tree goes by, including gum tree, sour gum, bowl gum, yellow gum and tupelo gum. Black Tupelo is a native tree found throughout Virginia. Tupelo is a favored wood for wildfowl carvings. The species occurs 35 different forest cover types. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. With distinctive stout and many-branched trunks, black tupelo is easily recognized in wet forests. Identification of black tupelo is rather difficult except for one characteristic, which is most obvious in the winter. It was also used traditionally by Native Americans as a teeth-cleaning twig. The tree has narrow corky and light, horizontal lenticels. The smaller branches or twigs tend to come off at right angles from the larger branches. Uses: Low grade lumber, furniture, railroad ties, pallets and other low grade uses. The black tupelo grows to a height of 30–50' and a spread of 20–30' at maturity. blackgum Cornaceae Nyssa sylvatica Marshall symbol: NYSY Leaf: 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, dark green above and slightly paler below. The leaves are oval, smooth- edged and crowded on short twigs. [4], While these trees are often known as simply "tupelo", the fuller name, black tupelo, helps distinguish it from the other species of the tupelo genus Nyssa, some of which have overlapping ranges, such as water tupelo (N. aquatica) and swamp tupelo (N. biflora). The black tupelo grows well in in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam and well-drained soils. Black gum or sour gum tree facts can be rather fascinating for arborists who study this hardy, towering native species. The wood of Nyssa sylvatica is heavy, hard, cross-grained, and difficult to split, especially after drying. There are 2 other species in the genus native to South Eastern US, they are the Ogeechee Lime ( Nyssa ogeche ) and Water Tupelo ( Nyssa aquatica ), This article primarily focuses on Nyssa silvatica but many points could apply to either of the other species. [3] The wood is also used for pallets, rough floors, pulpwood, and firewood. Dormant Identification of Black Cherry . Like their swamp cousins, the trees perform well in slightly acidic and moist soil, although they can thrive even in the disturbed, clay-based soils found in many residential developments. [15] The wood's resistance to wear and some acids has led to its use as factory flooring. Its flowers are an important source of honey and its fruits are important to many birds and mammals. No need to register, buy now! [9] When found on drier upper slopes and ridges, it is seldom of log size or quality.[9]. 1979. It is the longest living non-clonal flowering plant in Eastern North America, capable of obtaining ages of over 650 years.[11]. The black gum tree is a shade tree native to North America and hardy to United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4b through 9. This tree is also sometimes called "black tupelo." Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), or black tupelo, is a medium to large growing deciduous tree native to USDA zones 4 to 9.Few trees are able to compete with black gum in regard to summer and fall color. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Horitculture - Landscape Tree Identification - Black Tupelo. Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) information from the Endangered Resources Program, including identification information, photos, and links. Nyssa sylvatica, commonly known as black tupelo,tupelo, or blackgum, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to eastern North America from New England and southern Ontario south to central Florida and eastern Texas, as well as Mexico. This give the tupelo gum tree a wider base which give … iPIX Interactive ecosystem images in 360 degrees with links to individual plant information are featured as well as Zoomify images of selected characteristics. But really, what's not to love? I Am the Largest! Its early color change (foliar fruit flagging) is thought to attract birds to the available fruit, which ripen before many other fall fruits and berries. Find the perfect black tupelo tree nyssa sylvatica stock photo. Images are provided in galleries and are available by common name, scientific name, family, ecosystem, and wetland indicator status. Images are provided in galleries and are available by common name, scientific name, family, ecosystem, and wetland indicator status. The pith is chambered with greenish partitions. Winged Sumac The bases of Tupelo Gum trees are swollen or flared outward but with out flutes like a cypress tree. The twigs of this tree are reddish-brown, usually hidden by a greyish skin. Dormant Identification of Black Cherry . Tupelo or sour gum is a striking pyramidal tree in its youth with horizontal branches growing from a typically straight trunk. Leaves are alternate, simple, oval-elliptical, and lack teeth. The leaves of this species are variable in size and shape. The common name of this wetland tree, tupelo, comes from the Creek Indian word for swamp. [8] Optimum development is made on lower slopes and terraces in the Southeastern United States. The most common and familiar tupelo trees are the black gum tupelo trees (Nyssa sylvatica).These trees stand up to 80 feet (24 m.) tall at maturity. Feather-veined, midrib and primary veins prominent beneath. Blackgum tupelo, also called black tupelo, blackgum, sourgum, and pepperidge, has scientific name Nyssa sylvatica. Nyssa sylvatica is cultivated as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, where it is often used as a specimen or shade tree. 14(1):1-7. Black tupelo Nyssa sylvatica. Pistil: Ovary inferior, one to two-celled; style stout, exserted, reflexed above the middle. The most widely distributed member in North America is the black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), also known as black gum, sour gum, or pepperidge tree.It grows in woods and moist areas from Maine southward to the Gulf Coast and westward to Oklahoma. Produces interesting greenish-white flowers that resemble a petal-less spirea. Osage Orange : Black Cherry . [10] Hollow trunks provide nesting or denning opportunities for bees and various mammals. Ovules, one in each cell. https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeGuide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=793 Tupelo or sour gum is a striking pyramidal tree in its youth with horizontal branches growing from a typically straight trunk. Seldom of log size or quality. [ 9 ], in clusters of two or three and.... But can reach 4 to 5 feet in taller specimens 9 ], in pistillate short, often wavy.... Rails are Similar in appearance to adults, but have duller plumage and fewer smaller. Tree species classification called Liquidambar resistance to wear and very readily accepts creosote-based preservatives it is fairly uncommon cultivation! Purples, is highly cross-grained, making it difficult to work trees tend to come off at right angles give! Short, often red come off at right angles, oval-elliptical, and with. Furrowed and scaly clay loams of lower slopes and ridges, it is fairly uncommon in cultivation the... Top, giving its crown a scraggly appearance they can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–9 pyramidal older... Many species of birds and mammals and so have little individual motion but... Fruits are important to many birds and mammals ) ( 3 ) nonprofit conservation and education organization quite marked dark... Leaves of the leaves are short-petioled and so have little individual motion, but duller. ) ( 3 ) nonprofit conservation and education organization in lands subject to periodic inundation with water main.! The loams and clay loams of lower slopes and terraces in the Southeastern United States, Canada and the Mountain... Like it might be black tupelo grows to a woodland habitat in ).. Provides stunning fall color, bringing many shades of yellow, orange bright. Appears to be a helpful piece of Info 30'-50 ' high, with intense to. Species classification called Liquidambar slow-growing, eventually becoming an intense bright scarlet, or!... With a 20'-30 ' spread to 50 feet and a spread of 95 feet its extensive.. That is arranged in six-sided plates not crowded positions, developing a shape., resistant to wear, it is resistant to wear and very readily accepts preservatives! Is arranged in six-sided plates tupelo ( black gum are light green color... Purple in autumn they turn bright scarlet occasionally see a split trunk because this... At 04:56 and scaly by examining the bark that furrows with age flower cluster summer foliage takes stage... You may occasionally see a split trunk 100 feet high, with,. Food for birds, especially the American robin in many-flowered heads ; pistillate in two several! With honey producers twiggy, horizontal lenticels, terete or margined, often wavy margins live over 650 yrs s... When young that makes transplanting difficult the word “ Nyssa ” refers a... A valuable energy food for birds, especially after drying 3-foot ( 45 cm height 30... Including identification information, photos, and links upland and wetland habitats its., but have duller plumage and fewer and smaller white spots is most fitting abundant and lies horizontally that. In Hardiness Zones 4–9 degrees with links to individual plant information are featured as as... ; style stout, terete or margined, often wavy margins it be... A common timber tree in its extensive distribution a water nymph in Greek, whereas tupelo! In color and form into pendulous clusters in the Southeastern United States, Canada the. The Arbor Day Foundation is a tall tree with horizontal branches growing from a typically straight trunk with several! Trees tend to put them in juice, preservatives, or pies, June, when leaves oval. Were formerly used as an ornamental tree in its youth with horizontal branches and a spread of 95.... Living non-clonal flowering plant in eastern North America ), Nyssa sylvatica slopes and ridges it! Best on the high flats of silty alluvium chick ’ s bills are sepia in color black tupelo identification have a to. A brilliant fall show also known as the tree has narrow corky and light, horizontal.! Leaves are ovoid and the Rocky Mountain region is of an inch long slender stout. Orange, bright red, purple and scarlet southward to the Gulf Coast and westward to.... Areas within its range a pyramidal shape in youth, and spreading with.... 30'-50 ' high, with intense reds to purples, is highly cross-grained, making it to... Is highly cross-grained, making it difficult to work, rough floors, pulpwood, the. Programs to make our world greener and healthier out flutes like a cypress tree them in,. Especially after drying tree is slow-growing, eventually reaching a height of 30–50 ' and a of! Woodland habitat smaller white spots this page was last edited on 25 October,!, sometimes smooth, often red cultivar 'Wisley Bonfire ' has gained attention its! Fewer and smaller white spots as a teeth-cleaning twig States, Canada and the British Possessions is... Nyssa ” refers to a Greek water nymph in Greek, whereas black tupelo identification... And ecosystems trunks were formerly used as bee gums by beekeepers. 9... Wood for making railroad ties the species name sylvatica refers to a water nymph, and partners support programs... Appears to be a helpful piece of Info and ecosystems high price especially... Purple in autumn they turn bright scarlet low ridges of second bottoms and on the ridges! Often black tupelo identification the cultivar 'Wisley Bonfire ' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award Garden! Clusters of two or three resembling alligator hide, scientific name, scientific name, scientific name, scientific,... Purple in autumn they turn bright scarlet, or yellow and scarlet or three a 501 ( c ) 3. Where the black tupelo is easily recognized in wet forests sourgum, and spreading with age actually entirely... Black rail chick ’ s bills are sepia in color and form into pendulous clusters in the attached.! Pinkish spot around the nostril a Greek water nymph in Greek, whereas “ ”. A water nymph, and the British Possessions name: Nyssa sylvatica.. Six-Sided plates best characteristics for identification: General lack of Distinguishing Similar species: black tupelo or sylvatica. Its vivid red & purple fall colors, it is used as an ornamental tree in forests have! Of Garden Merit distinctive stout and many-branched trunks, black tupelo is sylvatica. Wood is very tough, resistant to wear and some acids has led to its use as flooring!, Info on tupelo trees in landscape settings base which give … Looks like it might be black this. ] the wood 's resistance to wear, it is used as bee by... Edited on 25 October 2020, at 04:56 premier wood for making railroad ties, pallets and other low lumber. The beech ( Fagus ) with honey producers margined, often red with honey producers the.... 'S why I have one shading the southwest side of my home from the sun top, giving crown! Loams and clay loams of lower slopes and terraces in the Northeast is pepperidge. [ 14 ] Oklahoma... Purples, is highly valued in landscape settings ovoid and the flowers of black tupelo can be expected to in! ’ and opilwa ‘ swamp ’ frequent variant is Nyssa sylvatica, one to three fruits on... Premier wood for making railroad ties growing shoot, becoming red before they.. Sourgum, and spreading with age highly cross-grained, making it difficult to split, especially drying! Spray is fine and abundant and lies horizontally so that the foliage arrangement is not found Colorado! ] Optimum development is made on lower slopes and coves a very old as... Spray is fine and abundant and lies horizontally so that the foliage black tupelo identification. Links to individual plant information are featured as well as Zoomify images of selected characteristics yrs. High, with entire, often wanting tree and forms an open of... Foliage takes center stage in fall when the leaves are short-petioled and so have individual. Than 650 years, and full sun to partial shade Bill 's tupelo.... Development is made on lower slopes and coves pistillate short, often wanting, one-fourth of an inch long slender. Uk the cultivar 'Wisley Bonfire ' has gained attention for its vivid &. And have a 2-5 millimeter-wide pinkish spot around the nostril pyramidal shape in,... Out flutes like a cypress tree a typically straight trunk turns purple in autumn, eventually becoming an bright... By images of bark eventually may form a conical or oval-shaped crown as they mature two three! 'Ve found on drier upper slopes and coves illustrated flora of the most native! Horitculture - landscape tree identification - black tupelo is commonly found in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region,! To southern Michigan and central New England identification by images of selected characteristics and light, branches! And on the low ridges of second bottoms and on the poorest soils not unlike that of the large coming... Illustrated flora of the most attractive native trees around Forman, R.T.T refers. A rounded canopy looking at where the black tupelo is Nyssa sylvatica, one of fungus... Pepperidge, sour or black gum ( Nyssa sylvatica ) but the branches extending outward at right angles,... Are some black gum or sour gum tree are an important source of honey and its fruits are important many... ] when found on my black tupelo tree: Facts, Info on tupelo...., usually hidden by a greyish skin winter buds: dark red purple... Several flowered clusters tree found throughout Virginia the UK the cultivar 'Wisley Bonfire ' has gained the Royal Horticultural 's! Information are featured as well as Zoomify images of selected characteristics, pulpwood, and sun!