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Common Name: Black Tupelo

General Information

Nyssa sylvatica is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 15.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Maine to Florida, west to Ontario and Texas.

Habitat

Low acid woods, swamps and shores in imperfectly drained soils[, ]. Also found on high wooded slopes in the south of its range[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Although this is a plant of swamps and other wet soils in the wild, once established it can succeed in Britain when growing in an ordinary good loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ]. It prefers a neutral to alkaline soil according to one report[], whilst another says that it requires a lime-free soil[]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and growing in maritime regions[].
A very ornamental tree[], it has a moderate rate of growth and moderate longevity[].
Resents root disturbance, it is difficult to transplant except when young[].
The tree does not come into leaf until late May.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A thin sharply acid pulp that is pleasant to roll in the mouth as a masticatory[], it is also used in preserves[, ]. Pleasantly acidulous[]. The fruit is up to 15mm in diameter and is borne in small clusters of 2 - 3[, ].

Medicinal

The bark is emetic, ophthalmic and vermifuge[]. An infusion has been used as a bath and also given to children with worms[]. A strong decoction is used to cause vomiting when unable to retain food[].
A strong ooze from the roots is used as eye drops[].

Other Uses

Wood - tough, not durable, soft, heavy, hard to work and warps easily. It has an intricately contorted and twisted grain[]. It weighs 40lb per cubic foot and is used for making boxes, soles of shoes, wooden pipes, wheel hubs, veneer etc[, , , , , , ].

Propagation

The seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame[] but would probably benefit from an earlier sowing if the seed can be obtained any sooner. Three months stratification at 5°c improves germination[]. Germination rates are variable[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Layering.