Black gum Green Gable and Tupelo Tower

* Common name: Black gum (tupelo) Green Gable and Tupelo Tower

* Botanical name: Nyssa sylvatica ‘NSUHH’ and ‘WFH1’

* What they are: These are both improved forms of our native black gum tree, which turns a fiery red to orange-red shade in fall. Both of these varieties have that excellent fall color, rivaling maples for showiness.

The improvements are in “skinnying” the tree’s girth to make them more suitable for small to mid-sized yards. They seldom produce fruits as do the native-species females.

* Size: Green Gable grows about 40 to 50 feet tall in 25 years but only about 25 to 30 feet across. Tupelo Tower is even more columnar, growing to about 40 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet across in that same time.

* Where to use: Black gums prefer moist, acidy soil, so either of these is a good choice for a damp spot in the yard or a rain garden. One good placement is directly out from a key house window so you can enjoy the fall show from inside. Best growth is in full sun to light shade.

* Care: Keep the roots consistently damp the first 2 to 3 seasons to establish the roots, then soak deeply once a week in very hot, dry weather. Crossing or unwanted branches can be removed mid to late winter. Fertilizer usually not needed, especially if you’re fertilizing the lawn nearby.

* Great partners: Golden sedge or gold-variegated Japanese forestgrass are good underplantings with contrasting color and texture. Threadleaf bluestar is a good perennial partner that turns golden in fall when the tree foliage is red. Spirea Mellow Yellow is a good shrub partner, also for its contrasting golden foliage.