Getting to Know: Black Tupelo Tree or Blackgum Tree - April 2025

That tree at the top of this post is a Tupelo tree.  A Black Tupelo tree.  Also called a Blackgum tree.  Nyssa sylvatica.  Really nice shade tree, isn't it?  Fall color with the orange foliage.  And pyramidal shape.  I've noodled this tree over the years.  

Back in 2022, I talked about adding a Blackgum or Black Tupelo tree.  

I also talked about other native trees like a Sweetgum, too.  

So, imagine my delight when I found myself nosing thru the early trees in the parking lot nursery of the big box stores this past week and noticed a few unusual (in terms of what they normally carry) trees that were marked 50% off as part of their Spring Black Friday Sale.  They had about six Blackgums (Black Tupelo) trees 

What is it?  Turns out, it is a tree that is native to some parts of Illinois.  Love that.   With the Exclamation London Planetree dead in the parkway, this seemed like a good replacement.  

I looked around and found one with a tall, singular leader and brought it home:

The photo at the top of this post and below is from The Growing Place. Here's their listing where they describe it:

One of the most spectacular and reliable fall coloring trees, turning brilliant shades of red and orange, and a very neat, pyramidal habit of growth; best in organic, acidic soils, intolerant of urban pollution.

Sure would look nice in the parkway in Fall, wouldn't it?  To get it going, I'd like to get this in the ground soon, before it breaks bud this Spring.