Nyssa sylvatica | Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum

A young black tupelo outside of the Campbell Student Union.

A row of black tupelos outside of the Campbell Student Union at sunset.

Black tupelo foliage, displaying ovate leaves with shades of green, yellow, and tinges of red.

A closeup of a black tupelo leaf displaying shades of yellow, green, and red.

Scientific name: Nyssa sylvatica

Common name: Black Gum, Black Tupelo

Native: Yes

Native range: Native to the eastern United States, as well as the southernmost parts of Ontario. Isolated native populations exist in southern and central Mexico [1,3,4].

Distribution in North America: Click to view the USDA Plants Database page for N. sylvatica.

USDA Zones: 4B-9B [3]

Maximum age: Long-lived with a maximum age of approximately 650 years [6].

Ecology: The fruits and young sprouts are a source of food for a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, foxes, birds, deer, and beavers [1,2,4]. Additionally, it provides important forage for bees and is considered a quality honey tree [4]. Black gum is a "prolific cavity producer" [4] and an important source of nesting sites for many birds and mammals [1,2,4]. It hosts several small moth species, as well as one large, colorful, native saturniid - the regal moth (Citheronia regalis) [7].

Ethnobotany: Due to its hardy nature, it is a common ornamental in urban plantings [1,2,3]. Indigenous American groups used the tree for a variety of medicinal purposes, including as a gastrointestinal remedy, tuberculosis medicine, a dermatological aid, and eye medicine [5].