Nyssa sylvatica

Black gum or blackgum, black tupelo or tupelo is in the Nyssaceae family (although it is still placed in the dogwood or Cornaceae family in some databases) and is native to eastern North America from the coastal northeastern USA and southern Ontario south to central Florida and eastern Texas as well as Mexico. It grows to 24 m or more in height, typically pyramidal when young and later much more spreading with a domed canopy or flat top.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, variable in size and shape, often crowded at the end of the lateral branches. They can be oval, elliptical or round, and 5–12 cm long. Branching is in one plane, with characteristic short branch stubs. The foliage turns purple in autumn, eventually becoming an intense bright scarlet.
• Species is usually dioecious. Flowers in the spring are very small, in greenish-white clusters at the top of a long stalk.
• Fruit is a black-blue, ovoid stone fruit, about 1 cm long. The cooked berries can be used for pies and preserves.
• Young twigs are yellowish green, later turning to red-brown. The checkered, gray bark is deeply furrowed.