Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Pepperidge

Description:

Tree Ht 50-100', Dia. 2-3' Leaves: 2-5" long, 1-3" wide, elliptical to oblong not normally toothed. Shiny green above, pale underside, turns red in autumn. Bark: grey/dark brown thick & rough with deeply furrowed into rectangular or irregular ridges. Twigs: light brown slender, often hairy with some short spurs. Flowers: greenish at end of long stalks at base of new leaves in spring. Fruit: 3/8-1/2" long, berry like elliptical blue-black when mature. Has bitter or sour pulp with one stone which is 10-12 ridged. It was green at this time-7/28/13.

Habitat:

Moist soils of mixed forests in eastern States. This one in Cushing Mem. Park in Canton, Ga 30114 . Between dock #8 & helo. Pad on Lake side of road.

Notes:

This is reported to be a honey tree. The juicy fruit is consumed by many birds & mammals.