Fort Yargo State Park: Early Fall Color

The Blackgums (Nyssa sylvatica) have been hinting at changing color for a few weeks; just a tinge of color. But today the color change is definite. But this may be a strange year for color at the lake. After an extremely hot spring and summer and an unusual rain pattern, I don’t think the color changes will be as dramatic as they have been over the last two years. I noticed a few trees whole leaves normally turn yellow had lost most leaves. But time will tell…

The color along segment 4. Most are Blackgums.

This one, an oak, is unusual, Usually oaks are among the last to change color.

Another tree changing color along the Bird Berry Trail (segment 10a). Interestingly the Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) rafts have broken up and I could row further into segment 10 than previously.

Looking north towards the Fishing Area and my favorite Blackgum to the left of the bridge (segment 13).

A closer view of that Blackgum. It doesn’t look as good up close. It wasn’t as densely leaved as usual this year possibly due to the weather. It’s an old tree; it wasn’t a young tree when I first saw it 25 years ago. It may also be suffering more severely from the partial ringbarking it had been subjected and which was already healed when I first saw it.

A bit of an anomaly among the trees ‘closing down’ for the year. This Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is still blooming as were several others along this segment (13).

A smaller Blackgum is glistening red among the green pines (segment 13).

It will be interesting to follow the color changes as time goes on.
Click on an image to view a larger image

Related posts:
- Loose with a Camera…
- First Fall Row

Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)

Nyssa sylvatica is known by the common names Blackgum, Black Tupelo, and Sour Gum. It can grow to 60 or 70 feet. There is a good specimen tree on the point just south of the bridge at the Fishing Area in Fort Yargo State Park. This is the tree that I’ve photographed.

The tree began to flower in late April. This photo also shows the characteristic glossy leaves.

A close up of the flower buds

The flowers are opening a week later

A week later. This is usually the stage at which I notice the flowers.

A close up.

The Blackgum is one of the first trees to change color in the Fall. It's easy to spot them from a distance.

A closer view of the same tree

The tree loses its leaves earlier than most trees.

Nyssa sylvatica (Blackgum) is native to the United States. It grows in the eastern United States and Canada from in states east of a line from Ontario, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. It doesn’t grow in Quebec or the maritime provinces of Canada.
Click on an image to view a larger image

Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Nyssa sylvatica (Blackgum)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Nyssa sylvatica

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- Native & Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Nyssa sylvatica (Blackgum, Black Tupelo, Sour Gum)

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower