Black Gum

Scarlet, orange, and purple foliage makes black gum one of the most dependable trees for fall color. Through summer, its glossy dark leaves and tidy pyramidal shape suit shade, specimen, and street plantings. Bees visit the spring flowers, and migrating birds strip the small blue-black fruits. Wet soils pose no problem, so it is a strong choice for rain gardens and low spots. Because a deep taproot makes large nursery trees difficult to transplant, starting black gum from seed and planting it young is often the surest route to success.