Out of stock
Nyssa sylvatica 'David Odom'
Choose Afterburner Black Gum if you want a native shade tree with strong fall color and a tidy upright shape. The tradeoff is soil: it needs a moist, acidic, non-compacted site to settle in well.
| Category | Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Impact | A- | The upright shape and strong fall color give it real presence without looking oversized early on. |
| Growth Rate | C+ | This is not a fast shade tree, so buy it for long-term payoff rather than quick coverage. |
| Maintenance | B | Pruning needs are usually limited, but soil moisture and acidity matter more than with many maples. |
| Deer Resistance | B+ | Deer tend to leave this tree alone, though young plants can be browsed or rubbed where pressure is heavy. |
| Small Space Fit | B | Its upright habit fits tighter than many shade trees, but it still needs room to mature. |
| Screening Value | C | It provides seasonal canopy and color, not the dense year-round coverage of a screening plant. |
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Afterburner for homeowners who can give it the right soil from the start. If the planting area is dry, compacted, or roadside-stressed, pick a tougher shade tree instead.
| Mature Height | 35 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 20 ft |
| Hardiness Zones | 4a-9b |
| Spacing | 20 ft from other trees |
| Sun | Full sun to partial sun |
| Moisture | Moist, well-drained |
| Growth Habit | Upright pyramidal to oval |
No standing water is needed, but it does best with steady moisture and good drainage.
It is strongest with enough sun and proper soil moisture; stressed trees color less evenly.
Usually no; it is not a good match for compacted, polluted, high-stress street conditions.
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-21001
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They're very "leggy" right now but that's not unexpected in the fall. Otherwise, they look healthy, and we're looking forward to seeing them next year.
These look so good! They're nice and full and lush. Should be amazing next summer.
So far so good! Ordering was easy. So was pickup. We're looking forward to seeing how it does in the spring.
Showed up on time and planted it perfectly. I indicated a light we had to illuminate it and they placed it for optimal lighting. Worked fast and left a clean worksite. First rate!
Really great website, communication and installation. Very happy customer and would recommend them.
They delivered three trees: a big linden, a big poplar and a little spice bush with install on the big trees. The install guys were great and professional and fast. All the trees looked good with minimal damage.
I went up there today from Quincy MA to pick up two Blue Wichita Junipers and they were absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Chris and everybody from Pro Growers of New England!
The plants are beautiful and all 13 were consistent in height and width. And at a fraction of the cost of other garden centers. Having the team that delivered them do the planting was one of the best values I can think of. They did a great job from start to finish and even helped me with my watering system which they didn’t have to do!
