Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Gum

Amelanchier x grandiflora Autumn Brilliance

Nyssa sylvatica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Black Gum

Prized for its brilliant orange-red fall color and disease resistance, this exceptionally bright tree is an excellent focal point for your garden. In the spring, clusters of fragrant white flowers give way to edible purplish black fruit that is heavenly in jams, jellies and pies. Use this Saskatoon in shrub borders or as a small 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.

Autumn Brilliance Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: gold to red
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Berries: deep purple and sweet
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Native to: ON
Other Names: black tupelo, pepperidge tree, sour gum, tupelo