November 7, 2004
Black Gum, Black Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica
Watch This Tree! This young Black Gum was recently
planted in the bioswale at the base of the Weir Meadow.
Its leaves in the fall turn a vivid red: As it matures into
a large tree, the show will get better and better.

A North American native, it likes to grow in moist lowlands.
It produces small bluish-black oblong fruits that are eaten by
birds and squirrels. Because Black Gum leaves are simple ovals,
people find the trees hard to identify except by their autumn color.