Nyssa sylvatica
Owner: Paul DeCloet
Nominator: Paul DeCloet
Height: 26.1 m (85.6 ft)
Diameter: 60.99 cm (24 in)
Circumference: 191.5 cm (75.4 in)
Description
Black Gum, also known as Black Tupelo, is a native Carolinian species that can be found in extreme southern Ontario, and throughout much of the eastern US. It grows best on well-drained, light-textured soils and can often be found in forests dominated by White Pine and Oak. Its fruit, oblong bluish-black drupes, ripen between September and October and drop between September and November. The fruit is high in crude fat, fibre, phosphorus and calcium and is eaten by many species of birds and animals. It is also a good honey tree and is often planted as an ornamental..
McGee, Charles E. (1990, December). Silvics of North America, Volume 2: Hardwoods. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Retrieved date (2010, December 14th) from http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.htm
Black Gum leaves & flowers
(R. Merrilees, 2009)