Raging Reds of Black Tupelo

Black Gum, Black Tupelo, or simply Tupleo, Nyssa sylvatica (pronounced NISS·uh sil·VAT-uh·kuh) sets the autumn woods on fire with its gorgeous red leaf color. Summer leaves are shiny, dark green. This deciduous native is a slow-growing tree for full sun to part shade. Mature specimens average 30 feet, but occasionally a tree in ideal conditions will reach 80 feet tall. They grow in zones 3-9, in almost any acidic soil, and tolerate occasional flooding or drought. Trees are fire resistant.

Tupleo is a powerhouse for wildlife, providing flower nectar for bees in the summer, followed by blue berries for birds and mammals. Not every tree is loaded with fruit. Tupleos are unusual in that some trees have male flowers, some have female flowers, and some have both. Flowers are insignificant. With maturity, the bark forms into blocks similar to Pine, creating small cavities that offer protection for frogs, bats, lizards, and insects. Deer may nibble young growth but tend to leave mature specimens alone.

Tupelo trees form a deep taproot, and should be transplanted when young. ‘Red Rage’ is a cultivar with exceptional red color. It is resistant to the leaf spot that troubles some trees. ‘Zydeco Twist’ has attractively contorted limbs. ‘Sheri’s Cloud’ has variegated foliage.

The shiny green leaves of Nyssa sylvatica give way to brilliant red fall foliage. Trees thrive in a woodland setting, like the one seen here.

Katsura Smells of Caramel?

Katsura leaves resemble Redbud, to which it is not related.

In addition to the Hickories, Maples, Sourwoods and Tupelos that are lighting up my woods right now, a weeping Katsura or Cercidiphyllum (ser-sid-ih-FIL-um), greets fall with butter-yellow, heart-shaped leaves. Despite the similarity in Latin names and leaf shape, they are not related to Cercis (Redbud tree). A quick examination reveals identity. Cercis leaves are held in an alternate arrangement on stems while Katsura are mostly in an opposite arrangement. Decaying Katsura leaves are reputed to have the smell of burnt sugar or caramel. Much to the consternation of my dogs and cats, I have sniffed the ground around mine several times but have been unable to detect any such scent. Spring leaves are bronze or burgundy and mature to a blue-green that is very attractive, especially when paired with contrasting foliages such as deep green holly or yellow ‘Gold Mop’ cypress.

Katsuras are not giant trees, maturing at a modest 50 feet or less. My mature specimen, a weeper that I assume to be the cultivar ‘Pendula,’ is 25 feet tall, with an equal spread. The tips of its branches brush the ground. Katsura wood is firm, so its branches do not ripple in the breeze like a weeping willow. An imaginative child (okay, an adult, too) could turn this upside-down-umbrella shape into a nature fort or hiding spot.

Katsuras will grow in either acidic clay or sand soils as long as there is plenty of organic matter, so allow fallen leaves to remain in place. It prefers a moist environment, so plan on supplemental irrigation during long dry periods. An alkaline soil results in a loss of the beautiful fall leaf color. Trees can be either male or female (dioecious). Spring flowers appear before leaves, are insignificant and have no smell. Male flowers are red; female flowers are green and produce tiny bean-like seed pods. Flowers last only one week. Mature trees have shaggy bark. They are shallow rooted, and may have roots above soil level, so plan surroundings carefully. Site them out of a windy area, if possible.

Cercidipyllum trees are unlikely to appear at big box stores and small garden centers. I worked in a plant nursery several years where a lone weeping Katsura was for sale. I coveted the plant, although it carried a price tag that put it beyond my modest plant-purchasing budget. I don’t know if it was the price tag or customers’ unfamiliarity that kept it hostage on the sales floor. It remained available for years after I moved on to other projects. Since then I have learned that Katsuras resent disturbance and are best moved when small.

Katsuras are Asian natives that grow in zone 4 to 8, full sun, moist but well-drained soil. They are rarely browsed by deer and have no significant insect or disease issues.

The graceful form of a weeping Katsura tree.

Golden Ginkgo

Across the southeast, the golden autumn leaves of Ginkgo biloba glow in the sun like sunshine in solid form. Ginkgo, commonly known as Maidenhair Tree, may reach heights up to seventy feet, with a spread of forty feet or less. Several dwarf cultivars are available. In the Mary Snoddy garden, a 15-year-old ‘Spring Grove’ is less than six feet tall. ‘Mariken’ is even shorter, maturing at a shrub-size three feet. A variegated form is also available. Ginkgo leaves have an unusual fan shape. A recent introduction, ‘Saratoga,’ has deeply-notched drooping leaves that give it a unique appearance.

Ginkgo is a popular street tree because of its attractive pyramid shape with nicely spaced limbs. In spring and summer, the leaves are an unremarkable green before cooler temperatures and shorter days cause the onset of its golden autumn hue. Ginkgo is tolerant of all soils except bogs. Forklore says that in fall a Ginkgo will shed all its golden leaves within 24 hours. While that is not quite accurate, they do lose all their leaves in a short period, usually a week or less. This obliging habit makes them favorites for those of us who hate raking, raking and raking.

The one characteristic that is not charming is the scent of mature Ginkgo fruit, which causes people in the vicinity to check the bottom of their shoes. These plum-sized stink bombs have large seeds which, once cleaned of pulp and roasted, are considered edible delicacies in some cultures. Fortunately, only female trees bear the odoriferous fruits. Nurseries normally sell only male trees. Purchase with caution if the tag says “seedling.” You have a 50-50 chance of taking home a future stinker.

Ginkgoes are easily transplanted. They grow slowly for the first year or two but then have a growth spurt. They tolerate heat, humidity, and pollution. Grow them in full sun, zones 6-9. They are deer resistant and not troubled by diseases or insects. Site your Giinkgo near an evergreen to enjoy the maximum leaf color contrast.

Fossils prove that Ginkgoes are prehistoric plants that once shared Earth with dinosaurs. They are akin to ancient ferns and are the only surviving member of their genetic group. Herbalists use ginkgo extract to treat memory loss or erectile dysfunction. Don’t try dosing yourself at home, however, as consuming large quantities of the leaves can be toxic.

The beautiful golden yellow of Ginkgo in autumn.

Fan shaped Ginkgo leaves

Limb structure of a juvenile tree

Ginkgo leaf starting to show fall color

Two Shrubs with Great Fall Color

Fall is my favorite season – colorful leaves, cooler temperatures, tasty apples, and football (in a normal year, that is).  If your desire for autumn color goes beyond the potted Chrysanthemums for sale in every garden center and grocery store, consider these two deciduous shrubs: Callicarpa and Fothergilla.

Beautyberry (Callicarpa) has tiny white or pink blooms in late spring, and so-so foliage. It is a forgetable plant until September, when clusters of purple berries adorn its branches. The berries hold fast to the stems, even after the yellow leaves shed. There are cultivars with white, pink or lilac berries, but why select one of those when you can have grape jam, Barney-like, intense purple? Berry set is heaviest when several plants are grown together.  Callicarpa prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It won’t tolerate constantly wet feet. Beautyberry has arching stems, similar to Forsythia. Callicarpa americana is a big shrub, reaching 5 to 6 feet, while its cousin Callicarpa dichotoma is more compact, reaching 2 to 4 feet. The smaller stature plants are easier to incorporate into the home garden. ‘Issai’ is a compact cultivar known for heavy fruiting at an early age.

Beautyberry produces blooms and berries on new growth, so do not hesitate to prune hard during dormancy. These easily-grown shrubs will tolerate severe cut backs, even to a few inches above soil level. A bonus feature is that the leaves contain a compound that repels mosquitos, ticks, and biting flies.

Fothergilla is another easily-grown shrub, a native member of the witch hazel family, with multi-season beauty. In spring, it has white bottle-brush blooms that appear on bare stems. Summer leaves have blue undertones. These shrubs have outstanding fall color, showing yellow, orange, red and burgundy shades all at the same time. If you are considering Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), please reconsider and choose Fothergilla instead. Burning Bush has red fall color, but it is invasive and should not be planted. (Visit http://invasive.org for more info.)

Fothergilla likes full sun and moist soil. There is a size to fit your need. ‘Mount Airy’ is widely available. It reaches 5 to 6 feet, with similar spread. ‘Suzanne’ reaches to 2 ½ feet with a width to 3 feet. Diminutive ‘Harold Epstein’ reaches only 12 inches in height, with a spread to 18 inches. Bonus feature: This shrub is not normally browsed by deer.

The bright purple berries of Callicarpa show how it earned the common name, Beautyberry.

Even though it has only been in the ground for one year, this ‘Mount Airy‘ Fothergilla shows fantastic fall color.

This is the same shrub shown in the fall color photo. The white bottle brush flowers decorate the early spring garden.