Black Gum Tree Leaves Turning Red In Summer

The drab browns humdrum grays and blacks and non descript greens of the average landscape are suddenly transformed by a wild slash of intense fiery color.

Black gum tree leaves turning red in summer. Black gum leaf on any variety of the tree is an elongated oval that flutters in the slightest of breezes from the slender branches. Of course the problem also can be simply due to drought. Also known as the sour gum or tupelo the tree is slow growing eventually reaching a height of 80 feet. In september its dark green foliage gives way to intense red fall color with hues of orange yellow and purple which makes it a wonderful selection for home landscapes.

Its fall foliage is a showstopper with leaves turning various shades of orange yellow red and a striking purple. Small and greenish white flowers appearing in springtime with the leaves. Even its lustrous green summer leaves are outstanding. Heart or trunk rot is a fungus that destroys the tree from the inside out.

Few trees are able to compete with black gum in regard to summer and fall color. Fruit which blossoms when the leaves change color. Red colored tree leaves provide a startling contrast to many of the more common colors in nature. In the fall the leaves turn yellow orange red and burgundy.

Following pollination greenish flowers appearing in late spring develop into purple berries. Brown leaves on the inner part of emerald cedars are normal. The dark gray bark is smooth when immature becoming cracked as the tree ages. Like its name nymph of the woods the black gum or tupelo grows more.

Its wood which is very strong was used in colonial times for water pipes. This can be due to several factors including insects diseases and even dog urine. Emerald cedar or emerald green arborvitae commonly develops brown leaves in summer. Too much summer sun can cause sunburn which turns the leaves brown and dry.

Black gum is one of the most elegant trees of the north american lowlands. Black gum trees should be planted in full sun to partial shade with shade being more desirable in hotter climates. By the time the eucalyptus tree s dropping branches are discovered the tree is already dying. Dark green and glossy in the summer and peach or wine red in the fall the black gum s leaves are typically about two to six inches long.

Known as root collar foot or crown rot the disease shows itself first through discolored leaves and red brown or dark brown wood directly beneath the bark. The black gum is susceptible. The leaves are elliptical ovals and green during the growing season.