Canada Plum & American Plum vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Canada Plum & American Plum vs Black Gum

Prunus nigra and americana

Nyssa sylvatica

Canada Plum & American Plum
Black Gum

Canada and American Plum are almost identical in appearance and growth needs. These plants are short and stout fruit trees native to North America.

This hardy ornamental is excellent for both city dwellings as well as rural areas. During the spring, the white and pink blossoms are long lasting. The tasty fruit is suitable for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. These trees are not widely distributed and pure seed can be hard to come by.

Both are commonly used as rootstock and are considered universal pollinizers for other plum varieties.

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.

Canada Plum & American Plum Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $16.99
Lowest Price: $12.49 - SAVE UP TO 26%
Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: attractive yellow, gold
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Flowers: white
Bark: grey and scaly with age
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium




Other Names: american plum, black plum, canada plum, horse plum, wild plum
Other Names: black tupelo, pepperidge tree, sour gum, tupelo