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Plant profile · Austin & Hill Country

Blackgum

Nyssa sylvatica
native · Central Texas

Blackgum is a tree native to Central Texas that grows 75–100 ft tall and 70 ft wide. It wants part shade to shade and medium water, and handles clay soil. Blooms green in late spring. Good for birds.

Will it grow in your yard?

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The facts

6 sources
Type
Tree
Sun
Part shade to shade (1–3 hrs of direct sun)
Water
Medium
Height
75–100 ft
Spread
70 ft
Bloom
Late Spring · green
Foliage
Deciduous or dies back in winter
Soil
Takes clay · recorded on moist, poor drainage, sand
Wildlife
Supports birds

Where it grows

Recorded in these EPA Level IV ecoregions in the Austin and Hill Country launch area:

Southern Post Oak SavannaFloodplains and Low TerracesSan Antonio Prairie

10 occurrence records in Central Texas (GBIF).

Can you buy it?

Also grows here — hard to find. Native and recorded growing in Central Texas, but not on the grower stock lists we read. Sourcing varies: some are stocked widely, others you will have to hunt for.

also grows from seed It starts readily from seed, so a packet from a native-seed supplier, or seed collected with permission, is often the easiest way to get a plant no nursery pots.