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Sour Gum

Nyssa Sylvatica

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Overview

Nyssa sylvatica, commonly known as Sour Gum or Black Gum, is a stately deciduous tree, prized for its straight trunk and glossy, dark green leaves. Growing up to 70 feet tall with a spread of 30-50 feet, it showcases brilliant fall colors, shifting from orange to scarlet and purple. Tolerant of wet conditions, it’s ideal for adding vertical interest and autumnal drama in temperate landscapes. Zones 4-9.

Sun FullWater High, MediumZones 4–10Type TreeClimate Temperate
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — making it an excellent choice for diverse landscape designs; is a stately deciduous tree, image 59

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
High, Medium
USDA zones
4–10

Shape & size

Mature height
30–50 Ft.
Mature width
20–30 Ft.

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Cornaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (83)

Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — scientifically known as Nyssa sylvatica
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — typically reaches a mature height of 30 to 50 feet with a spread of 20 to 30 feet; tree with green and white blooms
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — is a stately deciduous tree; making it an excellent choice for diverse landscape designs
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — the Sour Gum is better known for its fall foliage and blue-black berries that attract a variety of wildlife
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — This North American native; scientifically known as Nyssa sylvatica, image 60
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — making it an excellent choice for diverse landscape designs
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — typically reaches a mature height of 30 to 50 feet with a spread of 20 to 30 feet
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — tree with green and white blooms; typically reaches a mature height of 30 to 50 feet with a spread of 20 to 30 feet
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — it showcases brilliant fall colors
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — is a stately deciduous tree
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — green and white flowers in the garden; tolerant of wet conditions
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — commonly known as Sour Gum or Black Gum
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — Tolerant of wet conditions; green and white flowers in the garden, image 55
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — commonly known as Sour Gum or Black Gum; growing up to 70 feet tall with a spread of 30-50 feet
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — Its bark is another point of interest; it is deeply furrowed, providing a unique texture to the landscape
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — tree with green and white blooms
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — scientifically known as Nyssa sylvatica; this North American native
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — Growing up to 70 feet tall with a spread of 30-50 feet; commonly known as Sour Gum or Black Gum, image 52
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — is a compelling deciduous tree revered for its adaptability and stunning seasonal colors; eventually maturing into a, image 58
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — dark green leaves that transform into a spectacular display of reds
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — Tolerant of wet conditions
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — tree for full
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — it showcases brilliant fall colors; it‚Äôs ideal for adding vertical interest and autumnal drama in temperate, image 53
Sour Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) — The Sour Gum thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly adaptable to a variety of soil types; inconspicuous flowers in the
Photographs by 10 contributors

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