Park Hill, OK-- Fire Master™ Black Gum is an easy care native shade tree introduced by Garden Debut® in late 2010 with exceptional coloration. In the wild, Black Gum (also known as Tupelo) grows across the entire eastern half of North America but at low densities of 1-3% in native forests. Nyssa is one of the few species that is both fire resistant and shade tolerant, and both young and old trees show excellent growth even under dense shade, indicated by the species name, sylvatica, meaning woods. Landscape architects note that Black Gum grows in conditions that range from flooding to drought and can grow on almost any type of soil or site from swamps, floodplains and bottomlands to xeric sites, uplands and dry ridges. Nyssa is slow-growing which may explain its great longevity, being the longest-lived hardwood in the eastern U.S. with a maximum age topping 650 years. 

With a pedigree like that, Fire Master™ Black Gum PPAF is the first choice for a slow-growing shade tree for any type of difficult landscape situation. And what’s more, it adds show-stopping color to the canopy with new spring growth ranging from soft dusty pink to red and lime, then maturing to shiny, dark green summer leaves. In fall, the foliage turns many shades of yellow, orange, and reaches a fiery climax of brilliant, Chinese-lacquer red on high-gloss leaves. Even the petioles and veins are red. 

This slow-growing pyramidal tree matures at a height around 50-60 feet tall and spreading to about 25 feet wide after 40-50 years, a great size for many urban yards, ideal in scale, without towering over one- and two-story homes.

For added horticultural interest, Fire Master™ Black Gum sports small greenish-white blossoms in spring, source of nectar and pollen for Tupelo honey, followed by ½ inch long purple-black fruits that resemble little prune plums with a waxy bloom. These are quickly eaten by birds and wildlife when they ripen in September (before other fruits are ready), yet do not stain driveways nor decks. Its bark matures to medium gray and resembles textured alligator hide. Fire Master™ Black Gum is relatively immune to insects and diseases.

Landscape uses for Fire Master™ Black Gum include: specimen use adding color, form and texture; as a shade tree; commemorative tree; planted at the sunny edge of woodlands; planted in the dense shade of trees or buildings; or selected for landscape problem areas such as wet, sticky soils or dry, parched ridges. Reduced maintenance required by this native cultivar syncs with faster contemporary lifestyles and demand for lowered maintenance. Fire Master™ Black Gum was selected for resistance to insects and diseases, as well as for improved hardiness and general ease of growth. Its versatility makes it an ideal commemorative tree to plant to recognize milestones in your lives.

The best color is produced in full sun, but Fire Master™ Black Gum also tolerates dense shade and will grow on a broad variety of soil types, so it solves many “problem areas” in landscape design. And because Fire Master ™ Black Gum is so long-lived, it is the ideal dedication or legacy tree planted to commemorate happy occasions. 

Keep newly planted trees moist for the season after planting while the roots grow into the native soil and add an organic mulch to maintain soil moisture levels. After becoming established, Fire Master™ Black Gum has carefree watering needs.  

For more information on Fire Master™ Black Gum and other superior plant introductions from Garden Debut® , visit www.gardendebut.com.

Statistics Chart for Fire Master™ Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica 'PRP1' PPAF