American Mountain Ash vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

American Mountain Ash vs Black Gum

Sorbus americana

Nyssa sylvatica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2027)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

American Mountain Ash
Black Gum

American Mountain ash is a beautiful, medium-sized ornamental tree that is ideal for residential lots. Mountain Ash blooms with tiny white flowers in the spring, followed by clusters of small red/orange berries in the summer.

American Mountain Ash's berries stay on the tree throughout the winter. This attracts birds and other small wildlife to your landscape as the berries are an important food source during the winter months.

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.

American Mountain Ash Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 10 m (32 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: scarlet red
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Flowers: white clusters, spring
Berries: bunches of orange-red
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Seeds: seeds contained within the berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: ON
Other Names: dogberry
Other Names: black tupelo, pepperidge tree, sour gum, tupelo