Blue Beech vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Blue Beech vs Black Gum

Carpinus caroliniana

Nyssa sylvatica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Blue Beech
Black Gum

Blue Beech is a beautiful, ornamental tree with enticing features. The foliage transforms throughout the season, offering a kaleidoscope of color. New leaves emerge reddish-purple, transforming to dark green, and then turn striking shades of yellow, orange, and red in fall. Once all the foliage has dropped, grooved, blue-grey bark becomes striking on a winter landscape.

Blue Beech has an attractive globular shape and has been successfully grown in both full shade and full sun locations. Make sure you provide ample moisture to ensure this tree thrives.

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.

Blue Beech Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $12.49 - SAVE UP TO 26%
Zone: 3b
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: any
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
Nuts: Small nuts with earthy, sweet taste
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




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