Nyssa sylvatica 'WFH1' [sold as Tupelo Tower™]
Tupelo Tower Black Gum

Family:

Nyssaceae (Tupelo Sour Gum Family) 7

Genus:

Nyssa (Tupelo Black Gum Gum, Black Sour Gum Gum, Sour Pepperidge) 7

Plant Type:

Tree 583

Growth Forms:

Columnar 48

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 533

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 859

Flower Notes:

White (Not ornamentally important)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark, glossy green summer foliage); Multi-Colored (Almost fluorescent fall foliage changing from yellow to orange to scarlet to purple)

Fruit Notes:

Blue (Small blue-black drupes; up to .5" in diameter; attracts birds)

Ultimate Height:

30-50 feet

Ultimate Spread:

10-15 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Perfers slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are alternate, ovate to elliptic, 4-7.5" long and wide, entire margin, but sometimes remotely toothed, glossy (waxy) upper and dull on the lower surface. Leaves form on slow growing spurs. Three distinct vascular bundles in leaf scars. Buds are vari-colored. Chambered pith.

Special Characteristics:

Wet Soil Tolerant 113

Additional Information

Tupelo Tower is one of the only upright, of columnar habit, unlike the straight species. Its tight habit, brilliant fall color, and urban tolerances make this cultivar highly saught after. Typically, a slightly acidic soil is needed for this species to perform well. Difficult to transplant, so best purchase as container grown. Wet soils tolerant.

Additional Information

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