Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

$555.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 0.8m – 1.3m Approx.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 15m (approx.)

Mature Width: 6m to 10m

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is a deciduous tree grown for autumn colour, sold here as the Forum Black Gum. It is a selected form with a strong central leader and an upright, pyramidal outline. Glossy dark green summer leaves turn through scarlet, orange and purple before dropping. Despite the name, it is not a eucalypt.

It takes full sun to part shade and grows 30 to 60 centimetres a year to 10 to 15 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide. Cool and cold temperate climates give the best colour. Frost hardy, it prefers deep, moist, slightly acidic soil and will tolerate clay and periodically wet ground.

The upright habit suits street planting, car park islands, park lawns and larger residential gardens where a shade tree is wanted without a sprawling crown. Space feature trees 3 to 4 metres apart, or 3 metres in an avenue. Autumn colour of this quality is rare in a tree that also tolerates wet ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

What is Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'?

It is a cultivar of Nyssa sylvatica, the North American black tupelo, selected in Europe for a uniform upright habit and reliable autumn colour. The common name Black Gum is misleading in Australia, since the tree has no relation to eucalypts. It belongs to the Nyssaceae family and is fully deciduous.

How big does it grow?

Mature size is 10 to 15 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide. Young trees are narrow and pyramidal, broadening steadily with age into a rounded head on a straight trunk. Plan for the full spread when using it as a street or driveway tree, and keep it clear of small courtyards.

When does the autumn colour appear?

Autumn colour comes through in April and May across most southern Australian districts, later in warmer areas. Leaves turn scarlet, orange and deep purple, often with several colours on the tree at once, and hold for several weeks before falling. Cold nights and sunny days sharpen the display. Small greenish flowers appear in spring.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun gives the best autumn colour and the densest crown, and it is the position to aim for. The tree will grow in part shade, though colour is softer and the habit more open. Shelter from hot dry wind is worth arranging in inland gardens, as the foliage can scorch through a dry summer.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes, it is fully frost hardy and comfortable in the coldest parts of temperate Australia, including Tasmania, the Victorian highlands, Canberra and the New South Wales tablelands. It needs a genuine winter chill to colour well, so it is a better choice for cool and cold districts than for the subtropics.

Does it have invasive roots?

Nyssa sylvatica develops a deep taproot rather than aggressive surface roots, so it behaves well near paving and services compared with many large shade trees. That same taproot makes it slow to settle after transplanting, so plant it in its final position and avoid moving established trees.

How do I care for it?

Water deeply through the first three summers while the root system develops. Mulch widely, keeping the material off the trunk, and feed in early spring. Pruning needs are minimal: remove crossing or damaged wood in late winter and lift the lower branches gradually if clearance is needed. Avoid limey soils and compaction over the roots.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Avenue Planting
Shade Tree
Street Tree

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 15m (approx.)

Mature Width: 6m to 10m

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

Is Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' frost tolerant?

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' Flower?

Nyssa sylvatica ‘Forum’ produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in late spring. While subtle and not ornamental, these nectar-bearing blooms support early pollinators and lead to small bluish-black berries that ripen in late summer.

Does Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

White

Is Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is Native to Native to eastern North America, where Nyssa sylvatica grows in wetlands and forests. ‘Forum’ is a selected cultivar valued for its symmetrical form and intense autumn colour.

What is the Wildlife Value of Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' ?

Its nectar-rich blooms attract bees and beneficial insects, while the late-summer fruits are highly valued by birds. The dense, pyramidal canopy provides excellent shelter and nesting habitat, making it an outstanding tree for enhancing biodiversity in parks, large gardens and naturalistic plantings.

How much Sunlight does Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' need?

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Nyssa sylvatica ‘Forum’ performs best in moist, well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in alkaline or compacted soils unless improved with organic matter to enhance structure, moisture retention and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support steady growth, strong root health and its renowned autumn foliage display.

Is Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' Drought Tolerant?

Is Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, and once established ‘Forum’ offers moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils but withstands occasional dry periods with deep, infrequent watering. Consistent moisture helps maintain its signature vibrant autumn colour.

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How To Plant Your Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum'

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Nyssa sylvatica 'Forum' in Different Soil

Nyssa sylvatica performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best use for Nyssa Sylvatica 'Forum' in a garden?

A: This adaptable black gum tree is well-suited for parks, gardens, and larger landscapes, providing year-round visual interest and stunning autumn foliage.

Q: How tall does Nyssa Sylvatica 'Forum' grow?

A: The mature height typically ranges from 10 to 15 meters, making it an excellent choice for various garden settings.

Q: Is Nyssa Sylvatica 'Forum' drought-tolerant?

A: While it exhibits moderate drought tolerance, regular watering is advisable during dry periods, especially in the establishment phase.

Q: When should I prune Nyssa Sylvatica 'Forum'?

A: Pruning can be done as needed to maintain shape and remove any dead or overcrowded branches. Light pruning is generally sufficient.

Q: Can I plant Nyssa Sylvatica 'Forum' in urban areas?

A: Yes, this black gum tree is tolerant of urban conditions and a range of soil types, making it suitable for city gardens and landscapes.