Tupelo, A Honey of a Tree

Tupelo, also known as Blackgum, is among the first trees to show fall color. Summer leaves are a pretty, shiny green. In autumn they turn fiery red, which you may have deduced from cultivar names like ‘Red Rage,’ ‘Wildfire,’ and “Firestarter.’ A few leaves will have yellow, orange or purple highlights. In spring, the nectar-rich flowers are a butterfly favorite but blooms are so small they are unnoticeable to humans. In late summer, female trees produce deep blue or purple fruit, a treat for turkeys, songbirds, bears, opossums, and raccoons. Honeybees produce a high quality, pale honey from Tupelo nectar.

Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica, pronounced NYE·suh sil·VA·tuh·kuh and mispronounced by me 100% of the time as NISS-ah) are native to the eastern US, and are hardy in zones 3 through 9. They prefer a moist, acid soil in full sun, but are adaptable to wet or dry locations, are wind- and salt-tolerant, are fire resistant, and will withstand some shade. They grow in sand, clay or silt soils.

While deer may nibble the tender new shoots in spring, they leave mature trees alone. The straight species and older cultivars may suffer from leaf spots, but this does not seem to harm the tree. ‘Red Rage’ and ‘Green Gable’ cultivars are resistant to leaf spot problems.

These are slow growers but can be induced to speed thing up by the addition of water and fertilizer. Mature height is typically 30 feet with a 20-foot spread, but in favorable habitats they may reach 90 feet or more. Tupelo Tower™ is a narrow cultivar, only 15 feet wide at maturity. A weeping cultivar is available, as is a variegated form, but I have not found those in local nurseries. A super-cool cultivar, ‘Zydeco Twist’ has gnarly, contorted limbs that make one think of Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, an unrelated plant.

Although leaves can be confused with those of common Persimmon (Diospyros) trees, Tupelo limbs emerge from the trunk at a 90-degree angle, which (along with their dark, blocky or ridged bark) makes trees easy to identify in winter. Tupelo leaves are clustered on short, smooth limbs, “spurs.” Persimmon leaves are not shiny, and occur all along the length of the limb. Tupelos have a tap-root structure that means they transplant best when young.

Brilliant fall color

Tupelo fruit

The beginning of autumn color change

Raging Reds of Black Tupelo

Black Gum, Black Tupelo, or simply Tupleo, Nyssa sylvatica (pronounced NISS·uh sil·VAT-uh·kuh) sets the autumn woods on fire with its gorgeous red leaf color. Summer leaves are shiny, dark green. This deciduous native is a slow-growing tree for full sun to part shade. Mature specimens average 30 feet, but occasionally a tree in ideal conditions will reach 80 feet tall. They grow in zones 3-9, in almost any acidic soil, and tolerate occasional flooding or drought. Trees are fire resistant.

Tupleo is a powerhouse for wildlife, providing flower nectar for bees in the summer, followed by blue berries for birds and mammals. Not every tree is loaded with fruit. Tupleos are unusual in that some trees have male flowers, some have female flowers, and some have both. Flowers are insignificant. With maturity, the bark forms into blocks similar to Pine, creating small cavities that offer protection for frogs, bats, lizards, and insects. Deer may nibble young growth but tend to leave mature specimens alone.

Tupelo trees form a deep taproot, and should be transplanted when young. ‘Red Rage’ is a cultivar with exceptional red color. It is resistant to the leaf spot that troubles some trees. ‘Zydeco Twist’ has attractively contorted limbs. ‘Sheri’s Cloud’ has variegated foliage.

The shiny green leaves of Nyssa sylvatica give way to brilliant red fall foliage. Trees thrive in a woodland setting, like the one seen here.