Tupelo Tower Blackgum
Best vertical accent tree for gardeners seeking vibrant seasonal color.
The Tupelo Tower Blackgum is a low-maintenance landscape tree with a tidy, columnar habit, perfect for various garden spaces. Its attractive medium green foliage transforms into a stunning display of gold, amber, and scarlet in the fall, offering exceptional autumn color. This versatile tree serves as an ornamental shade tree, though it grows slowly and requires ample space to reach its mature height of up to 40 feet. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and full sun, making it a reliable choice for hardiness zones 4 through 9.
$71.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
7
/ 1209
#7 in Trees
Price vs Category Average
-33%
Below average
Mature Height
40
/ feet
Who it's for
- Urban gardeners with limited planting space
- Homeowners seeking vibrant seasonal landscape color
- Eco-conscious gardeners prioritizing native, low-maintenance plants
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in regions with alkaline soil conditions
- Impatient gardeners wanting immediate landscape impact
- Novice planters lacking experience with sensitive root systems
Performance breakdown
Autumn Color Impact
A spectacular seasonal transformation featuring vibrant gold, amber, and scarlet hues.
Spatial Efficiency
The narrow columnar habit fits perfectly into tight, modern landscape footprints.
Maintenance Effort
Requires minimal intervention once established in the correct soil conditions.
Growth Velocity
Patience is required as this variety develops at a slow pace.
Wildlife Appeal
Reliably draws local bird populations to your garden throughout the year.
Environmental Adaptability
Broad hardiness range makes it a versatile choice for diverse climates.
Key Specs
Mature Height
40 feet
Mature Width
15 feet
Foliage Type
Deciduous
USDA Hardiness Zones
4 - 9
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Slow
Water Needs
High
Soil Type Preference
Loam, Well-drained
Features
- Striking fall foliage in gold, amber, and scarlet
- Columnar habit fits various garden sizes
- Attracts birds to your yard
- Low maintenance for easy care
- Provides beautiful ornamental shade
- Tolerates moist, well-drained soil
- Suitable for zones 4-9
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Tupelo Tower Blackgum for its exceptional quality upon arrival, noting that the plants are healthy and well packaged, establishing easily in the landscape. The primary draw is its striking design; reviewers celebrate its unique, narrow, columnar growth habit which provides vertical interest without requiring excessive space. This makes it a highly valued specimen tree for smaller gardens. While some mention the initial size is modest, the overall consensus highlights its reliability and the promise of brilliant, reliable fall color, confirming its status as a premium garden investment.
Know before you buy
At maturity, this tree reaches a height of 40 feet and a width of 15 feet. Because of its columnar habit, it is narrower than many other shade trees, but you should still ensure you have enough vertical clearance and a 15-foot diameter of space for the canopy.
The Tupelo Tower is considered a low-maintenance tree. Once established, it does not require frequent pruning to maintain its tidy, columnar shape, though it does have high water needs, especially during its first few years.
This variety is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. It is highly adaptable to a wide range of temperatures across these zones, provided it receives the required full sun and consistent moisture.
This tree has a slow growth rate. While it eventually reaches a significant height, it will take several years to mature, making it a long-term investment for your landscape rather than a quick-fix shade solution.
It thrives best in moist, well-drained loam. While it is tolerant of various soil conditions, it performs optimally when the soil remains consistently hydrated without becoming waterlogged.
Yes, the Tupelo Tower is a natural wildlife attractor. Its presence in the landscape is known to draw birds, making it a great choice if you are looking to support local avian populations.
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Ready to buy?
$72