Nyssa aquatica – Water Tupelo – Cotton Gum – Tupelo Gum – Tupelo –

Description

Nyssa – Tupelo – There are about 5 species of fast growing, trees in this genus. They occur from woodland and swampland in South and Eastern Asia and North America. They produce simple, alternate leaves. It bears small, inconspicuous green flowers, held in clusters in early summer followed by small, ovoid vivid, dark purple fruits, about 1″ long. Tupelos are grown for their attractive foliage and brilliant red, crimson, yellow and orange autumn color. They are ideal as specimen tree or in group plantings and are also effective near water. Grow in fertile, reliably moist but well drained, neutral to acidic soil in sun or partial shade, Plant as small specimens, to 12″ tall, from containers, they are difficult to transplant successfully. They are wind tolerant. Prone to dieback, wood rot, canker, wood stain, leaf spots, white rot, scale insects, blister mite gall, leaf miners and caterpillars. N. aquatica – Water Tupelo – Cotton Gum – Tupelo Gum – This species can commonly be found in swamps or shallow water in Southeastern USA where it develops a sturdy buttressed trunk it is rare in cultivation and in the wild. It produces green, diamond shaped leaves to 10″ long with downy undersides and serrated edges. The honey made by bees from the nectar of Tupelo flowers has a distinctive and delicious taste. An important timber tree, it is pyramidal shaped and reaches 120′ feet tall in optimum conditions by 50′ feet tall and 12′ feet wide is more common. The flowers are greenish white and are held in axillary cluster, the fruit are a deep mauve. Zones 6-10