Black gum trees bring scarlet to autumn

By Richard B. Primack

 

“How much of beauty – of color, as well as form – on which our eyes daily rests goes unperceived by us!”  - Henry David Thoreau in his Journal.

 

The leaves of black gum trees turn brilliant scarlet in late autumn, giving the trees a fiery appearance. At other times of the year, black gums, also known as tupelo trees, are hard to spot in their wetland habitats.   Wild black gum trees are actually surprisingly common at many wetland locations around Boston, especially along the Charles River.

 

A wild tree in the Webster Woods in Newton with red leaves in October.

 

Without their scarlet autumn leaves, black gum trees are recognized by their horizontal branches,  giving trees a distinctive pagoda-like appearance, their tooth-less leaves which are often wider toward the tip than at the base, and their light-gray flaky bark.  Birds also feast on their small black fruits for a few weeks in late September. 

 

Scarlet leaves of black gum up close.

 

Newton resident Nyssa Patten was named for the black gum tree, which has the scientific name Nyssa sylvatica.  When she was borne, her parents planted a black gum tree in their yard, and each year they take her photograph next to the tree.  

Nyssa Patten examines scarlet-colored black gum leaves at the Newton Center playground.

This posting was adapted from an article in the Newton Tab.