Black Gum

Black Gum Tree

Ask any landscape designer about the best native tree for fall color, and the Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) will almost always top the list. One of the first trees to turn in autumn, its glossy dark green leaves transform into a breathtaking tapestry of scarlet, orange, and deep burgundy — often while neighboring trees are still fully green.

Beyond its spectacular fall display, Black Gum is a workhorse of the native landscape. Its small, dark blue-black fruits are a magnet for songbirds and wildlife, and its naturally pyramidal form requires little to no pruning to maintain a clean, elegant silhouette. Plant it where it can be seen from indoors in October, and it will reward you every year.

• Mature size: 30–50 ft tall, 20–30 ft wide
• Among the earliest and most vivid fall color of any native tree — scarlet, orange, and burgundy
• Glossy dark green leaves provide excellent summer interest
• Small blue-black fruits attract birds and wildlife in late summer
• Naturally pyramidal habit — low maintenance form
• Adaptable to wet, poorly drained soils; excellent near water
• Full sun to partial shade — USDA Zones 4–9