Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level.
- Look for signs of salt buildup near the base.
- Inspect the mulch layer for coverage.
Likely causes
Drought Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The tips of the leaves become dry, brittle, and brown during hot or windy weather. This happens when the tree loses more water than it can absorb.
What to do: Increase your watering frequency during dry spells. Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture in the soil.
Salt Accumulation
PossibleHow to tell: The leaf edges and tips turn brown and look scorched. This often happens if the tree is planted near a road treated with salt or if you use heavy chemical fertilizers.
What to do: Flush the soil around the tree with a deep watering to wash away excess salts. Avoid using high salt fertilizers near the root zone.
Find out what's wrong with your black tupelo
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
Worry if the browning moves inward from the tips to the leaf veins. Minor browning at the very edge of the leaf is often just a reaction to a recent heat wave.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the tree well watered during the first few years after planting to establish a strong root system.
Black tupelo: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your black tupelo and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I trim the brown tips off?
- You can trim them for aesthetic reasons, but it is not necessary for the health of the tree. Use clean, sharp shears to make the cuts.
- Does wind cause brown tips?
- Yes, strong or drying winds can cause the leaves to lose moisture faster than the roots can replace it, leading to brown tips.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Black tupelo
- Why does my Black tupelo have spots on its leaves?
- Are there pests on my Black tupelo?
- Why is my Black tupelo dropping its leaves?
- Why are my Nyssa sylvatica leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Nyssa sylvatica drooping?
- Why is my Nyssa sylvatica suffering from root rot?
- Why are my Nyssa sylvatica leaves curling?
Back to the Black tupelo guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.