Black-gum will not tolerate alkaline soil and may suffer damage from pollution. Black gum is best grown in areas with acidic, medium to wet, well-drained soils and full sun to part shade. The wood can be readily pulped and is used for high-grade book and magazine papers. As the species name hispida indicates, this tree has red bristles on the stems and … Rich tones of red, purple and orange light up the garden with a power you would not have believed possible, leaving all but a few other trees looking pale and insignificant. Black Gum Tree leaves. This excurrent growth habit is rare for most hardwoods in our region. He said well I assumed it was a maple since it had those pointy leaves. Its wood, which is very strong, was used in colonial times for water pipes. In the past, blackgum was used for oxen yokes and chopping bowls due to the toughness resulting from the interlocked grain. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. One of the uses of hollow Black Gum logs was (and still is, sometimes) as "bee gums." An amazingly iconic and dominate specimen of Australian flora is the Eucalyptus tree or more commonly known as the Gum tree.The name Eucalyptus, being derived from Greek eu – well – kaluptos – covered, a clear reference to its unique flowers. Black tupelo gum trees were also once prolific in the area, and it is this tree that is noted for its dazzling red foliage in the fall. Nyssa sylvatica A native to the eastern U.S., Black Gum is noted for its outstanding and consistent fall red color. Included bark between a co-dominant stem results in an extremely weak connection. Eucalyptus nitens, shining gum. I sawed some yesterday, and was surprised how nice looking the lumber was inside. Other human-made materials are added for a better chewing experience. In the South the Black Gum trees, Nyssa sylvatica, are known as, 'Tupelo trees' or 'Black Tupelo Trees' and grow into enormous towering tree specimens in wet or damp areas, where they are fast growing and abundantly produce a fruit that is highly prized by birds. Displaying various hues of yellow, orange, bright red and purple—often on the same branch—its foliage is a stand-out of the autumn season. I have done several turnings from a down black gum on my property, and they are beautiful. The Vernon Black Gum Swamps are a rare natural community found at the edge of the normal range for this type of wetland and contains some very old trees; some black gum trees aged at over 400 years old. Large leaders often tear off at the union and cause large wounds on the trunk, which may ultimately result in the removal of the tree. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean there isn’t possibility for a detrimental pest or disease in the future for this species. I have done several turnings from a down black gum on my property, and they are beautiful. Maryland Distribution: A canopy tree commonly found in forests of wet to average moisture. Birds and squirrels favor the fruit produced by black gum, which can be beneficial for a community if objectives are to increase wildlife activity. Deep rooted, so difficult to transplant when mature. When properly cared for, black gum trees reach 30 to 50 feet tall with a 20- to 30-foot spread. One of the most common issues trees face in the urban environment is compacted soils. Your black gum leaves should not be reddish. It’s much lighter than oak and wouldn't have to hold up to the elements, as cribbing is usually destroyed before it can rot anyway. Question It does not make sense to plant this particular species in areas with height restrictions, such as under utility wires. Landscape Attributes Black Gum is a deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Dirr. Black gum is an excellent choice to add autumn color to your garden. I first became acquainted with black gums on an outing to Grassie, Ontario with a local tree group, and it was a meeting I would not forget. 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 … Black Gum Tree has strikingly brilliant red to deep purple foliage in the fall. Taylor Hall, 59 College Road, Durham, NH Directions. It is a deciduous hardwood tree, most commonly known for its early display of beautiful yellow, red and purple colored leaves in the fall. This tree takes on extraordinary shades of crimson, purple and orange that must be seen to be believed, and that brightens your garden like no other tree can. Eventually, the unyielding wood of black gum filled the bill for heavy-duty tool handles, factory flooring, hard-working parts for farm machinery, conveyor rollers, and the core of hardwood plywood. Also, long-lived trees like black gum are useful as storehouses for atmospheric carbon, both aboveground in its large trunk and limbs, and underground in its deep root system. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid planting a monoculture of any one species in the urban environment. The wood has a unique reddish brown color with sapwood that's nearly white and black grain running through the hardwood. I run across quite a bit of it here in PA. Forum Responses In the past, blackgum was used for oxen yokes and chopping bowls due to the toughness resulting from the interlocked grain. Whitetail deer will browse young black gum shoots. Even its lustrous green summer leaves are outstanding. The bark does not hold well to the sapwood, however, making it difficult to turn natural edge bowls. Britton, N.L., and A. Urban trees face shortened life expectancy for several reasons: When trees are able and encouraged to grow to their maximum potential they can provide a tremendous amount of economic, environmental, and social benefits to our communities. Because of its twisted grain, black gum cannot be split so it has been somewhat spared by lumbermen. Its fall foliage is a showstopper, with leaves turning various shades of orange, yellow, red and a striking purple. The national average life expectancy for street trees planted in tree pits, which some arborists refer to as planting tombs, is less than 12 years. In recent years, NH has experienced severe storms, droughts, and invasive pests more regularly. Sweet Gum ; Tulip Tree . All tree species have their pros and cons, especially in the built environment. 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