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Black Tupelo

SKU: 3781

Black Tupelo

Zones: 4 - 9
$18.99 Regular Price
Member Price: $14.99
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Shipping Date
This product will ship between 5/14/2025 - 6/6/2025
Restricted State/Provinces

Unfortunately local laws prevent us from shipping this item to the following locations.

AK, AS, AZ, FM, GU, HI, MH, MP, PR, PW, VI

Guaranteed Healthy Delivery

When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we’ll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting. Each tree and plant is guaranteed to grow, or we’ll replace it within six months of shipment. See details for more information.

Called “one of the best and most consistent native trees for fall color” by tree expert Michael Dirr, the black tupelo is a terrific landscaping choice. Displaying various hues of yellow, orange, bright red and purple—often on the same branch—its foliage is a stand-out of the autumn season. Even the distinctive bark, which resembles alligator hide, adds visual and textural interest.

  • Is known as one of the most attractive trees
  • Provides stunning fall color in many shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple
  • Develops bark that furrows with age, resembling alligator hide
  • Serve as an important food source for bees, birds, and other wildlife
The Black Tupelo Grows in zones 4 - 9

Your Tree’s Personality

Shape

Oval

Growth Speed

Slow to Medium

Scientific Name

Nyssa sylvatica

Mature Spread

20' - 30'

Mature Height

30' - 50'

Sun Preference

Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade

Soil Preference

Acidic, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Silty Loam, Well Drained

Wildlife Value

The fruit of the black tupelo attracts many birds and wildlife. It also provides nutrition for bees in early to late spring.

History/Lore

A tree of many monikers, the black tupelo is also known in various areas as a gum tree, sour gum, bowl gum, yellow gum or tupelo gum. Still others call it beetlebung, stinkwood, wild peartree or pepperidge.

When combined with the several other tupelo species, these trees have the distinction of being favorites with honey producers. The resulting honey is light and mild-tasting, fetching a high price, especially in Florida where it is a million dollar business annually.

Planting Instructions



Product tags
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