Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
North America
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States
Types
Water elm
Nyssa sylvatica
Habitat
Floodplains, Hillside, stream banks, Swamps, Upland
Lowland, Sandy areas, Wet Woods
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-9
5-9
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Habit
Upright/Erect
Pyramidal
Flower Color
Green
Yellow green
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Tan
Dark Blue, Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Yellow
Crimson, Dark Red, Orange Red
Leaf Shape
Oblique base
Oblovate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Fall
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic
Soil Drainage
Average
Poorly Drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring
Summer
Tolerances
Cold climate, Drought, Pollution, Salt
Wet Site, Drought, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Rooted stem cutting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply
Average Water Needs, Medium
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Average Water
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic
Soil Type
Loam
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Poorly Drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove dead branches, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Prune in early spring, Prune in late winter, Prune when plant is dormant, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Fertilize every year, fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring
Pests and Diseases
Bark beetles, Beetles, Borers, Mites, Moth, Red blotch, Scale
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate, Drought, Salt
Drought, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flowers
Insignificant
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Allergy
allergic reaction, Asthma
Mild Allergen, Pollen
Aesthetic Uses
Landscape Designing
Used in parkland, Water gardening
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Absorbs huge amounts of CO2, Air purification, Food for birds, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Food for animals, Food for birds, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife, Windbreak
Medicinal Uses
Antispasmodic, Astringent
Emetic, Opthalmic, Vermifuge
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Stem, Tree trunks, Wood
Fruits, Seeds
Other Uses
Used as firewood, Used for woodware, Used in biomass, Used in construction, Used in Furniture, Used in paper industry, Used in pulpwood and lumber production, Wood is used for making furniture, Wood is used for ship building, Wood is used fore making tools, Wood is used in construction, Wood log is used in making fences
Food for insects, Used as a dye, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Botanical Name
ULMUS americana
NYSSA sylvatica
Common Name
American Elm
Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sour Gum
In Hindi
अमेरिकी एल्म
Black Tupelo Tree
In German
amerikanische Ulme
Schwarz Tupelo Baum
In French
orme d'Amérique
Noir Arbre Tupelo
In Spanish
olmo americano
Árbol negro Tupelo
In Greek
American Elm
Μαύρη Tupelo Δέντρο
In Portuguese
olmo americano
Árvore Tupelo Preto
In Polish
Amerykański wiązu
Czarny Tupelo Drzewo
In Latin
Latin ulmo
Niger Tupelo ligno
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Ulmaceae
Nyssaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots