Amur Cherry vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Amur Cherry vs Black Gum

Prunus maackii

Nyssa sylvatica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Amur Cherry
Black Gum

Amur Cherry is a beautiful, fast-growing ornamental tree. It features attractive bronze/red bark that peels horizontally in strips.

This hardy tree bears white flowers in the spring, black fruit held in clusters in the late summer, and pointy leaves that turn yellow in the fall.

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.

Amur Cherry Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Fall colour: lemon yellow
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Flowers: white, in spring
Berries: black fruit
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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