Wildfire Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire'
Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire'
Foliage: Dark Green
Fall Foliage: Yellow-orange to purplish Fruit: Females have fruit Habit/Form: Broad, pyramidal,Oval Uses: Shade, Accent |
Zone Hardiness: 4
Plant Height: 40 - 50 ft Plant Width: 30 ft Light: Full Sun/Partial Shade Growth Rate: Slow |
'Wildfire' Tupelo offers an extra season of brightly colored foliage. Spring brings a surprising flush of deep red new growth, which continues as long as new leaves emerge. Tupelo or sour gum is a striking pyramidal tree in its youth with horizontal branches growing from a typically straight trunk. As the tree matures, it takes on more of an irregular habit. The dark green glossy summer foliage takes center stage in fall when the leaves turn bright scarlet. Summer foliage is green, changing to autumn tints of orange-yellow to purplish red. Brown-black bark is heavily textured. Red-tinged branches add winter interest. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success. It will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. It attracts cavity-nesting birds, game birds, mammals, and songbirds. This is a selection of a native North American species.