Nyssa sylvatica
Other common names
Black Gum, Pepperidge.
Origin of the species name
Nyssa means water nymph, a reference to the habitat of some of the species; sylvatica is from Latin meaning of the forest habitat.
Family
Cornaceae
Date planted
September 2008
Lifespan
Black tupelos have an average lifespan of 250 years.
General description
This is a medium-sized deciduous tree with grey-brown furrowed bark and maturing to have a flat-topped crown. The leaves are shiny green with often wavy margins. They turn purple in autumn, eventually becoming an intense bright scarlet. The fruit is a black-blue, ovoid stone fruit. Height 20m Spread 15m
Natural distribution and habitat
The species is native to eastern North America, from New England and southern Ontario, south to central Florida and eastern Texas where it is found in a variety of habitats throughout its wide range, growing from the creek bottoms of coastal plains, up to drier upper slopes and ridges at altitudes of about 900 metres.
Conservation status
Although it is not internationally classified as threatened, it is registered as a species of concern in southern Canada and in Wisconsin. In Canada this is because of its rarity, its uncertain viable seed source and the resulting decrease in its range and frequency. This is being complicated by the high demand for the land on which it naturally occurs.
Uses
The wood is hard, cross-grained, and difficult to split, especially after drying. Because of this it was used to make the hubs of heavy carriage wheels as well as pallets and rough flooring. It was also sometimes called 'pioneer's toothbrush'. When a small, brittle twig is broken off sharply, it has a bundle of woody fibres on the end that were once used to clean teeth. It was also called 'bee-gum' because hollow trees were used as beehives.
Further reading
Palmer, C (2008) Trees and Forests of North America. Abrams.