Identifying characteristics:
Other common names for this species include the tupelo gum, sour gum and
pepperidge tree. Young trees have a pyramidal crown, becoming broad and
flat-topped with irregular, horizontal branches at maturity. Mature trees
are usually 50 to 60 feet tall with a spread of up to 30 feet, and a slightly
swollen trunk base. The lustrous, dark green leaves,
frequently borne in pseudowhorls at the ends of short branches, are 3 to
6 inches long with smooth margins. The lower surface is whitish with hairs
along the veins when young. Fall color is particularly striking, ranging
from orange-yellow to brilliant red or purple. The leaf stalk is often reddish.
Small, greenish-white flowers appear
on long, hairy stalks in the axils of leaves after the leaves have reached
full size, with male and female flowers on separate trees. Fruits
are oblong bluish-black drupes, produced in clusters of 4 or 5 in the autumn.
The flesh is thin, oily and sour, and the fruits drop soon after ripening.
Terminal buds are ovoid, pointed and covered with yellow-brown to
red-brown scales that are slightly hairy at the tips. Lateral buds are slightly
smaller (less than 0.25 inches long) and diverge from the twig. Leaf
scars are crescent-shaped with 3 sunken, cavern-like, whitish bundle
scars. Bark on young trees is gray
and flaky, becoming almost black with thick blocks similar to alligator
hide.
Similar species:
Ecology:
Distribution: This tupelo is an overstory or understory tree native
to eastern North America from Ontario to Florida and Texas, but not naturally
occurring in Iowa.
Habitat: This slow to medium grower is found in swamp borders, mesic forests and also on drier slopes. Although it tolerates relatively dry sites, this species prefers deep, moist, well-drained, acid soils. It grows in full sun or semi-shade and prefers shelter from wind. It has a long tap root and is difficult to transplant. It also sends out suckers from the roots. The black tupelo gum is often attacked by wood-decaying fungi and wood-boring insects, resulting in trees that are hollow, but continue to survive for many years. Cankers, leaf spots, Verticillium wilt, tupelo leaf miner and tupelo scale also attack trees, but are not a serious threat.
Uses:
Wood: Wood is brownish-gray, close-grained, hard, strong,
moderately heavy and it has fibers that interlock, making
it extremely tough to split and resistant to abrasion. It is used for boxes
and crates, chopping bowls and ox yokes.
Wildlife: The black tupelo gum is important to wildlife. The fruit is eaten by ducks and other birds, as well as by black bears and foxes. Deer and beaver feed on the foliage and bark respectively. The hollow trunks provide shelter for rodents, nesting birds, insects and hibernating bears. The tupelo is valued as a honey source plant.
Horticulture: This species forms a good specimen and shade tree for use in urban plantings and naturalized sites. It is a consistently rewarding native tree for good fall color. The narrow-leafed tupelo (N. sylvatica var. biflora) grows primarily in swamps and bottomlands.
