Green Ash vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Green Ash vs Black Gum

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Nyssa sylvatica

Green Ash
Black Gum

Green ash is a fast growing tree with incredible golden yellow leaves in fall. This tree is native to the prairies and is well suited for drought and cold. Green ash can also tolerate soil compaction, periods of flooding and a wide variety of soils including alkaline. This makes green ash ideally suited for use in urban environments.

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.

Green Ash Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.99 - SAVE UP TO 20%
Lowest Price: $12.49 - SAVE UP TO 26%
Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: bright yellow in early fall
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: downy ash, red ash, swamp ash, water ash
Other Names: black tupelo, pepperidge tree, sour gum, tupelo