Tupelo Tree

Tupelo Tree - Nyssa sylvatica

The tupelo tree, also called black gum, is an eye-catching tree native to most of the eastern United States. It can reach 100 ft in the wild, though 30 to 50 feet is typical in a yard. It has a rounded crown with a heavy canopy of dark green foliage. In spring, the tree has small, greenish-white flowers that are easy to miss but full of nectar, and bees love them. The tree owes its ornamental value to its attractive leaves and form, and older trees have dark, blocky bark like an alligator's hide.

Tupelo Tree: Growth & Hardiness

Tupelo is a slow to moderate grower, and it does best in moist soil along rivers and streams. If conditions are optimum, the tupelo's growth rate can be one or two feet a year. Once its roots are down, the tree handles short dry spells and can adapt well to various soil types. However, it thrives best in acidic soil, and in alkaline ground, the leaves turn yellow.

Tupelo for Wet Sites and Shade

 It suits wet areas and can be used to manage water on a property. That makes tupelos a popular choice to plant around houses with poor drainage or flooding problems, as well as beside creeks and in rain gardens, where they will help consolidate soils, stabilize slopes and banks, decrease erosion, and increase biodiversity. They also have a broad crown and make a great shade tree in a park or on a large property. Their foliage turns yellow, red, and purple in autumn. If you have been looking for a tupelo tree for sale to fill a soggy low spot, you have found one of the best native shade trees that will thrive there.

Tupelo Tree for Sale: Wildlife and Planting

 This plant ships bare root. We dig our tupelos while they are dormant. Female tupelo trees carry blue berries that start ripening during fall and are picked by wild turkeys and songbirds pretty quickly. Tupelo’s deep taproot doesn’t like being moved after it has established, so choose its spot carefully. The tupelo works on its roots first, before shooting its top, so expect minimal top growth in the first year. Water it well through the first summer.

The tupelo has diverse uses and can be planted in a variety of landscaping settings. For a native shade tree with real fall color and real value for wildlife, the tupelo is hard to beat. You can get a tupelo tree for sale from us in 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and 3 to 4-foot sizes. The smaller ones settle in the fastest.

Planting & Growing Information

Ships: Ships Between November 15-29
Planting Zone: 4-9
Height at Maturity: 30-50 Feet
Water Needs: Moderate to High
Sun or Shade: Full sun and Partial shade
Bloom Season: April through May
Care: Tupelo tree thrives in full sun to partial shade with moist to wet acidic soil. Water it regularly during establishment, then occasionally during dry periods. It's low-maintenance and resistant to most pests. Prune in late winter if needed.
Exposure: Tupelo tree flourishes in full sun to partial shade. It favors at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily but can tolerate light shade. It shows its best fall color in a sunny spot.
Plant Attributes: Brilliant fall color, Thrives in wet soil, Berries feed birds

For more tips on planting, growing, and caring for tupelo trees, explore our Tupelo tree guide. You can also browse our collection of fast-growing trees to discover more options for shade, seasonal color, and landscape planting.