Nyssa sylvatica 'Northern Splendor' (Black Gum)

Nyssa sylvatica 'Northern Splendor' is a cultivar of black gum or tupelo, a medium-sized tree native to wetter, lowland areas across much of the eastern half of the United States. Occasionally growing to around seventy feet tall in the wild, most cultivated blackgum like the 'Norther Splendor' cultivar grow to only 20-50' tall and, in this case, only 25-30ft wide at maturity, making it a great, semi-compact shade or specimen tree for use in parks and small yards. Black gum's standout appeal in the home landscape is always its fall foliage, with striking, glossy green leaves turning to a stunning display of reds, oranges, and purple tones in the early fall; the 'Northern Splendor' variety puts on an even better show than other tupelos as it begins to go dormant a bit earlier in the season than other varieties, showing off a full range of beautiful fall color before the risk of frost sets in. In addition to its use as a shade and specimen tree, Nyssa sylvatica 'Norther Splendor' is an excellent resource for wetland restoration and naturalization planting, and this variety's cold tolerance makes it an even more versatile tree for any number of locations.

Thriving when provided with sun to partial shade, Nyssa sylvatica 'Northern Splendor' prefers medium-high moisture content, but is not picky about soil consistency, growing fairly well in both sandy and clay-rich soils. Blooming from May to June, Nyssa sylvatica flowers are not showy, but are a great source of nectar for pollinators and butterflies, and when female trees are pollinated by a nearby male, 'Northern Splendor' produces small, hanging berries that are excellent for attracting birds and small mammals. Beyond its fruits, black tupelo is also a host plant for a number of caterpillar species, including Cadbury's mystique moth (Comachara cadburyi), the azalea sphinx moth (Darapsa choerilus), and the alien probole moth (Probole alienaria); beyond its appeal to moths, mammals, and birds, Nyssa sylvatica is even a host for a number of tree frogs due to the natural hollows and furrows that develop among the tree's mature bark. If you're looking for striking fall beauty and a veritable zoo's worth of ecological benefits, 'Northern Splendor' is an excellent pick.