Nyssa sylvatica
Common name: Sour Gum
Sour Gum has the most unbelievable glossy orange to red fall color. I also like the silvery bark in the winter. Sour Gum’s ecological niche is very interesting in that it grows in wetlands and on ridge tops. Most trees would grow in one area or the other, but not both. Needs plenty of sun and good garden soil. Since it grows natively no farther north than southern Cook County, I would plant it in a site protected from the west winds. Sour Gum grows on the slow side of moderate (16 inches per year). I like to group these trees in clusters of 3-5 on 5-8 foot spacing. The dark blue fruit is devoured by birds in September.
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Plant Details
Plant type
Tree
Soil type
Dry Mesic, Mesic (Not too Wet Not too Dry), Moist Mesic
Light exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun / Part Shade
Bloom period
Spring
Urban environment
Road-side/Salt Tolerant, Yards that Flood
Growth form
Single trunk
Growth rate
Moderate
Flower color
Green
Fall color
Red
Size
- Mature height
- 30 Feet
- Mature width
- 25 Feet
- Max height
- 45 Feet
- Max width
- 35 Feet