River Birch vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

River Birch vs Black Gum

Betula nigra

Nyssa sylvatica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

River Birch
Black Gum

River Birch has beautiful, peeling, brown bark that reveals camel-colored and pink beneath. It is more borer resistant than white bark birches, which makes it a much longer-lived landscape tree.

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.

River Birch Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $12.49 - SAVE UP TO 26%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Bark: dark gray-brown or pinkish-brown and scaly
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium




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