Amur Maple vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Amur Maple vs Black Gum

Acer ginnala

Nyssa sylvatica

Amur Maple
Black Gum

Amur Maple is an incredibly colorful tree. As summer turns to fall, it's bright green leaves turn fiery red. This tree is perfectly suited for urban environments. It's small size allows you to plant it in city yards and beneath power lines. Amur maple can also tolerate urban pollution, moist to dry conditions and is not affected by soil type or pH.

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 Maple Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $5.59 - SAVE UP TO 38%
Lowest Price: $12.49 - SAVE UP TO 26%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: scarlet red
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


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