January 30, 2014
Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica
The unusual branching pattern of the Black Gum makes winter identification easy. It has been said that the tree appears to be suffering from an electric shock. This is due to the fact that branches are perpendicular at their juncture. Black gum is a native wetland inhabitant. It has rather hard to identify oval leaves during the summer, but in fall, the leaves turn bright red, and the twigs bear small, oval dark purple fruit.