Blackgum
(Nyssa sylvatica)
Other Information
Physical Characteristics
Type: Tree
Height: 30 - 60 ft
Spread: 20 - 30 ft
Flower Color: Green
Flower Time: Late Spring (Apr - Jun)
Fruit Type: Drupe (Berry)
Fruit Color: Dark Blue / Black
Autumn Color: Red / Orange / Yellow
Sun Conditions: Full Sun / Part Shade
Shade Tolerance: Medium
Moisture Preference: Medium
Deer Resistance*: Medium / High
Dog Safe**: Insufficient Info
Conservation Status (MD): SNR - Unranked
Other Names: Black Tupelo, Sour Gum
*Deer resistance can vary based on many factors
**Always consult with a veterinarian about plants toxic to dogs and other animals
Wildlife Benefits:
Blackgum flowers produce nectar (and maybe pollen) for honeybees. The fruits are a fall food source for 86 species of song and game birds as well as many small mammals. Trees provide nesting sites for birds and mammals and natural hollows in the trunk create cavities for birds, mammals, reptiles, and frogs. It is a larval host for 26 species of moths and butterflies.
