Tree
Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica
Varieties We Carry
OgeecheeNyssa sylvaticaStandardNyssa sylvatica
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$24.95
7 galFrom$29.95
15 galFrom$150.00
20 galFrom$150.00
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterModerate to High
Mature size30-60 feet × 20-30 feet
About Tupelo
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), also called Black Gum or Sour Gum, is a medium to large deciduous native tree of eastern North America celebrated for producing some of the most brilliant and earliest fall color of any native tree — leaves turn vivid scarlet, orange, and yellow before most other species. Small, blue-black drupes are eagerly consumed by birds in late summer. Naturally found in a wide range of habitats from moist bottomlands to dry upland ridges. Starting at $24.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Well-drained, Wet
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage. Can be planted in mild winter periods.
Care essentials
Light
Plant in full sun to part sun; Nyssa sylvatica is adaptable and performs well in NE Florida with at least 4–6 hours of direct sun. It tolerates partial shade in moist, woodland settings. Avoid exposed, hot, dry sites in zone 9b.
Water
Water consistently during the first 2–3 years to establish a deep taproot; once established, Black Tupelo tolerates NE Florida's periodic wet and dry cycles. It performs best in moist to occasionally wet, acidic soils — avoid chronically dry sandy uplands without supplemental irrigation.
Soil & Fertilizer
Prefers moist, slightly acidic (pH 4.5–6.5) loam to sandy loam; tolerates periodic flooding. In NE Florida's sandy soils, amend planting hole with organic matter to retain moisture. Fertilize lightly with an acidic slow-release fertilizer in early spring; minimal inputs once established.
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Common questions
Is Tupelo a good plant for St. Augustine?
Tupelo is a tree for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 30-60 feet × 20-30 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.