Black Gum Tree Bark
The simple glossy leaves are entire to slightly toothed or wavy and are usually elliptic in shape.
Black gum tree bark. It is found in dry upland forests occasionally bottomlands savannas and upland depressions that are occasionally flooded. Heavy strong very tough hard to split not durable in contact with the soil. As the tree develops we can expect the bark to become deeply furrowed and scaly. Black gum features a straight trunk with unique bark that forms deep fissures with age.
The bark is smooth and reddish brown. Phonetic spelling ny suh sil vat ee kuh description. It has unique thick bark that is arranged in six sided plates. Blackgum or black tupelo is a native deciduous tree that may grow 50 ft.
Branchlets at first pale green to orange sometimes smooth often. The trees typically reach 9 15 metres 30 50 feet or more in height. From waxy spring foliage and brilliant fall color to beautiful winter form the black gum shows great ornamental value. It is striking throughout the year and as it grows older its graceful drooping branches add to the distinct form and beauty of this tree.
Pale yellow sapwood white. We can already start to see some of the bark becoming scaly if we look at the trunk close enough. Few trees are able to compete with black gum in regard to summer and fall color. Black gum summer leaves are a dark green with a high gloss appearance but the most spectacular part of this tree is the fall foliage with many shades of yellow orange bright red purple or scarlet that may appear on the same branch.