http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a670

MOBOT does not think your zone 5a is threatening to Nyssa SYLVATICA. For what its worth they say it tolerates some standing water and is zone 3 hardy. I love the tree myself.

Nyssa AQUATICA is a true swamp tree and is not cold hardy to zone 5 per MOBOT.

where are you.. 5 is about half the US and rather divergent ...

what is your base soil type.. and how fast does it perk ... imo .. transient seasonal wetness is just one variable in choosing a plant .. not a definitive one ...

ken

Nyssa are good in damp spots and zone 5 is no problem. Nether of those constraints pose an issue.

I have Nyssa sylvatica in heavy clay soil (adobe) that stays soggy all through our rainy season (Nov-Apr). In addition, that is the lowest part of the property and tends to stay wet for another two months or so after the rains stop. I chose it specifically because it can stand wet soil with low oxygen. The fall color is gorgeous. There are named cultivars and a weeping version, but the straight species is fine with me. Also, it is dioecious and the female trees get attractive, small, deep bluish-purple fruit, which is lovely against the fiery leaves.

I may plant the black gum in that wet spot instead of a red maple... doesn't get quite as large but I think they grow slower than acres rubrum.

I just posted another thread on my property's perimeter. You can see what I am dealing with in terms of space.

Ken, my climate is very very similar to your climate in Michigan - I am in Ontario... You know, i have no clue what my soil's PH is. I know, I should know that! We moved in 1.5 years ago and I just haven't gotten around to doing it. I really prefer planting stuff that has varied PH tolerances. I know acers like it a bit acidic.

i want to pant the black gum in front of the gray shed.

What cultivars would you folks recommend?

I plan to plant a norway spruce to the right of the white birch. I think it would give us some nice privacy in about 5 years (as they are fast growers) and establish nice contrast with the birch, spruce and gum tree.. Behind the birch is a recently felled blue spruce that was quite sickly. I am about to clear it for this project...

Regarding cultivars, you may need to be flexible as availability varies. I can confirm that Firemaster, Tupelo Tower, and Red Rage are solid. There are a bunch of new ones out there. If you google "dirr noble trees pdf" you will get Dirr's observations and hearsay on the cultivars.

I am 50/50 if I would plant another wildfire or go straight species. If you get a cultivar double check on the cold hardiness.

Provenance as Toronado suggests is key. Personally, I would buy a seedling because the species is just as awesome for fall color as any cultivar will be. There isn't a bad Blackgum. If you want a specific shape, then choose a cultivar like 'Tupelo Tower'.

Should you choose the seedling route then communicate with the grower to find the source of the seed that the tree was grown from. The range of Nyssa sylvatica begins in Florida and extends all the way up to Canada. What you don't want is a southern seed sourced tree.

Dax

FWIW, there are three black gums growing at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum that were planted in the late 1970's. Records indicate that this location was hit by a record -36F blast in 1996. The trees are in an upland clearing surrounded by thick forest, so this may have kept temps from getting quite that low, but it's almost certain they've taken -30F temps at least a few times in their lives.

Two of the gums are approximately 20 ft tall, and you can clearly see where they were killed back around 8 ft above the ground, quite likely from the 1996 freeze, because the trunks have a zig-zag look where a new leader formed.

However, one of the gums is perfectly straight and 30 ft tall; you can stand under it and look up without seeing any trunk defects.

Clearly, providence is of the utmost importance for winter hardiness.

you may not want a gum tree in the yard ... especially if there is any chance you want to be walking around bare foot within 20 feet of the tree ... see link .. is that a pool???

ken

https://www.google.com/search?q=black+gum+seed+pods&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq-p-ii4PQAhUi9IMKHQAPBEkQ_AUICCgB&biw=1013&bih=745&dpr=0.9

yes pool.. ouch looks nasty.. I have children so not sure if this is such a good idea. The tree would have been planted quite a ways from the pool (opposite side)

thanks

Ken, Totally wrong tree from those being discussed here. Your images of prickly pods are sweet gum pods (Liquidamber.) Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) has smallish berries that IME get mostly eaten by critters before they can fall to the ground, so not an issue.

Agree with the comments above about the Nyssa cultivars not bringing much advantage over the species. Some that are bred for black spot resistance still get the spots. The biggest weakness of the species is the slowish growth rate. If someone develops a quicker grower, Nyssa will become a more popular option for Joe Homeowner.

How slow are we talking for folks in zone 5? Can I get a 20' tree in 15 years or less?

My Wildfire nyssa sylvatica will have that 20 feet in 10 years despite the fu fu red new growth and dying back to within 4 inches of the ground its first winter.

20 feet in 10 years is outstanding. I have observed just under 1 foot per year in my area, which seems to be in line with the reference books I have read. My church planted a bunch around 15 years ago and they are all still under 20 feet.

I have Nyssa volunteers that are putting on 1-2' of growth per year here in TN, I suspect your rate would be closer to the foot mark.

In your post in the Landscape Forum you stated your concern of late leafing. When I lived in CT they leafed out in late May, just about the last tree to do so, and began coloring in late Aug-early Sept, but held foliage till early Oct. Even without foliage a mature, open grown Nyssa is extremely architectural and IMHO more attractive when dormant, but I've been called opinionated LOL.

wow.. google failed on the common name.. go figure .. ken

Ken, with Nyssa and Liriodendron there are soo many common names you have to ask folks what zip code they are in.

In regards to growth rate, it is worth mentioning mine is near the damp spot of my yard. It was a 4 foot tree which died back its first year. My house is 60 years old and when built was a one off, not part of a neighborhood where excessive grading was required. We also also don't bag our clippings here when we mow.

So, I have a fair amount of good soil especially down where it is planted.

So you folks are getting die back in St Loius? ZOne 6? Wow, we will surely get it here north of toronto... Not sure if this will work

I suspect the die back is not weather related, rather transplant related. Nyssa HATES to be transplanted. Repeat that 3 times LOL.

Are you aware of any trees in your immediate area, either naturally occurring or planted?

In your area, provenance is everything. Unless you buy a named clone, Nyssa is grown from seed, so it is imperative you get a tree that is native to your area or one with a similar climate, that may be problematic. I can't believe anyone is field growing Nyssa, so a canned specimen is the way to go.

Correct. My Nyssa died back its first year but not a bit since. Its transplant shock.

I have Nyssa Sylvatica growing here in So. Minn. on the 4/5 line. Tree is 9 years old, grows around 1 foot/year now, survived brutal -33F two years ago like nothing! Really nice form and great fall color most years.