Nyssa sylvatica
Black Gum is a species which typically grows in swamps and wet areas and can reach heights of 20m tall in Ontario. It is at the Northern limits of its range in Ontario and is quite rare in the wild. The leaves of Black Gum are arranged alternately along the stem, are 5-12 cm long, and are a shiny dark green colour. They typically have a leaf stalk that is reddish in colour and there are often clusters of leaves at the ends of new shoots. In the fall, the leaves change to beautiful shades of bright red, orange, and yellow. The fruits ripen in September to October, are bluish-black in colour, and are usually in clusters of 1-4. These fruits are rich in nutrients and are a valuable food source for animals such as foxes, Pileated Woodpeckers, Wild Turkeys, as well as other species of birds.
Black Gum prefers to grow in full sun but will also tolerate partial shade conditions. It is adaptable to a variety of different soil types and moisture conditions. It does best in moist to wet soils, however it will tolerate drier sites as well.
