Blackgum, Bare Root

Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)

A long-lived shade tree with vivid fall foliage and small dark fruit on fruiting trees. Its ecological season starts with spring flowers and continues into bird migration.

Key Characteristics

Migration food on female trees

Thrushes and other songbirds eat the dark fruit in late summer and fall. Male trees supply pollen even though they do not provide the same fruit display.

Unselected seedling sex

Plant several seedlings for a better chance of compatible male and female trees. The sex and fruiting performance of an individual seedling are not guaranteed.

A lasting canopy choice

Give the roots a permanent position early and avoid moving established trees. Spring flowers provide bee forage, while the mature crown becomes a substantial landscape feature.

Product Details

• Native range: Central and eastern North America into Mexico
• Life cycle: Deciduous woody perennial tree
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade
• Soil moisture: Medium-Dry; Medium; Medium-Wet
• Mature height: 40–70 feet; varies with seedling and site
• Bloom time: April–May–June
• Bloom color: Green, White
• USDA hardiness zones: 4–9
• Fruit or seed: Small blue-black drupes on pollinated fruiting trees; valued by migrating birds.
• Pollination: Usually separate male and female trees; unsexed seedlings. Plant several for a better chance of both sexes and fruit.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Keep bare roots moist until planting and spread roots without bending them into a tight hole. Water during establishment, mulch clear of the trunk, and protect young trees from browsing and mowing damage. Base feeding on a soil test; our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend can be used according to its label when needed.

Protect young trunks and avoid soil compaction. Diagnose leaf spots or dieback before applying treatment. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. These are seedlings rather than selected clones, so growth, flowering, and fruiting vary.