Horse Chestnut vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Horse Chestnut vs Black Gum

Aesculus hippocastanum

Nyssa sylvatica

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Horse Chestnut
Black Gum

Horse Chestnut is a medium sized deciduous tree that is native to Greece but has been grown in North America for hundreds of years. It produces large nuts.

A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.

Black Gum is a slow-growing ornamental shade tree with a dense pyramidal shape. The foliage is dark green in the summer, and transitions to bright fall colours which include red, orange, purple, and gold. It is commonly used as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens as a specimen or shade tree.

The small greenish white flowers provide nectar for bees and black tupelo honey is a sought after flavour. The small dark blue fruits which ripen in late summer will attract birds and other animals to your yard. The fruits are edible, but very sour, and are primarily used for pies, flavouring, and drinks. Plant the Black Gum where it will live long-term, as it has a large taproot and does not transplant well.

Horse Chestnut Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: most parts of plant are toxic

Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Berries: dark blue
Nuts: large spiky nuts
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: black tupelo, pepperidge tree, sour gum, tupelo