Black Gum Tree Bark
Nyssa sylvatica also known as tupelo or the black gum tree is a ornamental conical slow growing medium sized tree with horizontal branches.
Black gum tree bark. The resilient wood is good for making tool handles. The bark is dark gray and flaky when young but it becomes furrowed with age resembling alligator hide on very old stems. The trees typically reach 9 15 metres 30 50 feet or more in height. Black gum 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.
Few trees are able to compete with black gum in regard to summer and fall color. Autumnal colours of a black gum tree nyssa sylvatica wisley bonfire in a woodland garden in rural devon england uk. The pith is chambered with greenish partitions. 1926 tandem ride.
Black gum is one of the best honey producing trees in the world. It foliage is oval not unlike beech changing from green to a fiery red purple in autumn. Black gum nyssa sylvatica or black tupelo is a medium to large growing deciduous tree native to usda zones 4 to 9. The simple glossy leaves are entire to slightly toothed or wavy and are usually elliptic in shape.
If you are serious about planting a black gum tree be aware that there are a few tree species that are similar but may not present the bright foliage and slender branches on a thick straight trunk as the black gum does. The black gum nyssa sylvatica is a deciduous tree that is originally from the united states. Black gum is an excellent choice to add autumn color to your garden. In fact the black gum tree isn t actually related to gum trees which are in the eucalyptus family.
The leaves of this species are variable in size and shape. It s bark is dark grey and flaky when young but becomes furrowed with age. It is favored for its brilliant fall foliage and its winter form which displays attractively dropping branches over time. 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.
Still others call it beetlebung stinkwood wild peartree or pepperidge. Because of its twisted grain black gum cannot be split so it has been somewhat spared by lumbermen. When combined with the several other tupelo species these trees have the distinction of being favorites with honey producers. Black gum features a straight trunk with unique bark that forms deep fissures with age.
A dry gum tree trunk against a brilliant blue colored sky and white fluffy clouds. The twigs of this tree are reddish brown usually hidden by a greyish skin.