Does it need a lot of water?

It prefers moist, well drained soil but can handle occasional dry spells once established.

Can I plant it in a small yard?

It grows quite large, so it is best suited for medium to large landscapes.

Plant guide

Black tupelo.

Nyssa sylvatica

Pronounced NISS-uh sil-VAT-ih-kuh

Also known as Black Gum, Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sour-gum, Tupelo, black-gum, blackgum tree, pepperidge

The black tupelo is a fantastic native tree known for its stunning, fiery red fall foliage. It grows slowly but provides excellent shade and habitat for local wildlife. You will love how its glossy leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and scarlet as the weather cools.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 50 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with deep, moist, acidic soil to help it thrive. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or scale insects during the warmer months. It prefers to stay in one place, so choose your planting site carefully.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first few years after planting.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in early spring to support healthy growth.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches during the dormant winter season.
Repotting: This tree is best planted directly in the ground, but young specimens in containers need larger pots every few years.
Soil: Moist, well-draining, acidic soil
Soil pH: Acidic
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long lived, often over 100 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: There are no known toxic parts to this tree.
Children: The small, hard fruits could pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by very small children.
Edibility: The fruit is technically edible but generally considered too sour and bitter for human consumption.

How to identify it

Glossy dark green oval leaves
Deeply furrowed alligator skin bark
Brilliant red autumn leaf color
Small dark blue fruit clusters
Horizontal branching pattern

Height: 9 to 15m
Spread: 6 to 10m
Leaves: green, yellow, orange, red, deciduous
Flowers: green, white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: blue, black, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf spot · Fungal infections can cause spots on leaves during wet seasons.
Scale insects · Small sap sucking insects may cluster on branches.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is required as it is fully hardy in its range.
In containers: It is not suitable for long term container growth due to its large taproot.

Seed

Clean the pulp from the berries.
Cold stratify the seeds for 3 to 4 months.
Sow in a moist seed starting mix.

Group this tree with other moisture loving native plants to create a cohesive woodland edge.

Grows well with

Red Maple · They share similar moisture requirements and create a beautiful fall color display.
Sweetbay Magnolia · This companion thrives in the same moist, acidic soil conditions.

Similar species

Water Tupelo · It is a close relative that prefers even wetter, swampy conditions.

Science

Family: Nyssaceae
Genus: Nyssa
Order: Cornales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern North America
Conservation: This species is secure and widely distributed across its native range.

It thrives in diverse habitats from swampy lowlands to well drained upland slopes.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, bird food source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental shade tree, wildlife habitat, honey production

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 4/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: It prefers moist, well drained soil but can handle occasional dry spells once established.
Can I plant it in a small yard?: It grows quite large, so it is best suited for medium to large landscapes.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Nyssa refers to a Greek water nymph, reflecting the tree's love for moist sites, while sylvatica means of the woods.

Good to know

The wood is extremely tough and resistant to splitting.
It is often called black gum or tupelo.
Beekeepers prize the nectar for high quality honey.

Keep your black tupelo growing

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.