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Large oval leaves, purplish fruits that are food for wood ducks and a flaring, buttressed trunk are interesting features of the swamp tupelo. A pyramid-shaped tree when young, this tall but narrow deciduous tree becomes rather irregular in habit with great age. It's native to the wet lowland soils across the southeastern United States, especially in the coastal plain and lower Mississippi River valley. The sandy gray bark is ridged and corky.
The large leaves are tapering ovals and are a satin-glossy green. They emerge in early to mid-spring at about the same time the tiny greenish flowers occur. Purple fruits develop afterward, ripening to nearly black. In autumn the foliage becomes yellowish to red-orange before dropping away.
Grow swamp tupelo in any fertile, acidic soil with average to poor drainage. It grows best in soils that are constantly soggy from spring to fall, and will prosper in areas that seasonally flood. This tree is an exceptional choice in parks, gardens and public spaces where drainage is poor and water collects. It may be used as a street tree where adjacent ditches are always wet. It looks most magnificent along streams and ponds where the buttressed trunk is reflected in shallow water. (info source: Learn2Grow.com)
Genus - Nyssa
Species - Aquatica
Common name - Swamp Tupelo
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 6 - 9
Height - 50'-100' / 15 - 30(75) m
Spread - 18'-30' / 5 - 9 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic
Soil type - Clay, Loam, Sand
Water requirements - Average Water, ample water
Landscape uses - Bog Garden, Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Germination rate - 75%
Bloom season - Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Dark Green / Light Green
| Useful Info | |
| Germination | 1. Soak in water for 24 hours. 2. Cold stratify for 90 days. 3. Fill a 3- to 5-inch deep seed-starting tray with a mixture of equal parts sterile seed-starting mix and coarse, clean sand. Seed-starting flats are commonly made of plastic materials and are sold at home and garden stores. Use a flat that has drainage holes in the bottom. 4. Plant the gum tree seeds 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart in the seed-starting mix. Smooth the soil over the seeds. Place the tray in a water bath that comes about halfway up the side of the tray. Leave the tray in the water until the soil at the top of the seed tray is damp. 5. Place the seed tray where the temperature is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Bright, filtered, indirect light is ideal for germinating gum tree seeds. 6. Transplant the gum tree seedlings into individual pots when the seedlings have two leaves. Fill 8-inch pots with potting soil in preparation for transplanting. |
