Tupelo Tree

The Tupelo Tree (Nyssa sylvatica) is grown for one thing above all: the most reliable scarlet autumn colour of any deciduous tree in Australian gardens. It settles at about 10m tall and 6m wide here, well short of the 20m it reaches in North America, with a neat pyramidal outline and glossy leaves that turn crimson and orange before dropping. It also tolerates wet ground, which few shade trees do.

Why you'll love it

• Autumn colour you can count on. The scarlet is deep and even, and it holds for weeks rather than the few days some maples manage.
• A proper shade tree at 10m. Wide enough at 6m to shade a lawn or patio, without the scale of a park tree.
• It handles wet feet. Naturally a swamp margin tree, so it suits the low, damp corner where most trees rot out.
• Quiet in summer, generous in autumn. Glossy dark foliage all season, small flowers that bees work heavily, then fruit the birds strip.

Where it works best

Shade over a lawn or entertaining area. Give it 6m of clear width away from a roofline. Bare branches in winter let the light back through.

Driveways and avenues. Plant 8m to 10m apart for an even rhythm without the canopies crowding at maturity.

Damp and low lying ground. It copes with soil that stays wet after rain, so the flat back corner of a block is a genuine option.

Growing Tupelo Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the strongest colour. This is a frost hardy cool temperate and warm temperate tree, so it suits southern gardens, the tablelands and cooler inland districts. It needs cold nights to colour properly, so the autumn display is unreliable further north.

Soil. It prefers slightly acidic soil and tolerates heavy or seasonally wet ground. Work compost through a wide planting hole and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep water weekly through the first two summers. It develops a taproot and resents being moved, so choose the spot carefully. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Very little. Remove crossing or damaged limbs in winter while the tree is bare, and lift the lower branches only for clearance underneath.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in five sizes: 250mm in packs of three, single 300mm and 400mm pots, and advanced 100L and 200L stock. The 250mm and 300mm plants are young whips, often a single leader, and they establish fastest. The 400mm is the usual middle ground, while 100L and 200L trees arrive with real height and structure.

Arriving in winter it will be leafless, which is normal for a deciduous tree. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare the range in our autumn colour plants collection.
• Browse other deciduous trees for the same seasonal change.
• The best canopy trees for shade covers spacing and placement.
• Best trees for lining driveways if you are planting a run.

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Moderate: roughly 30 to 50cm a year once established, faster on good soil with water. Plant it young and leave it alone rather than expecting instant screening.

Will I get autumn colour in a warm climate?

Not reliably. The scarlet depends on cold nights, so cool temperate gardens colour best, while warmer areas see muddier tones and a shorter display.

Can I transplant it later?

Better not to. Tupelo forms a deep taproot and moves badly once established, so treat the first planting position as permanent.

How far from the house should I plant it?

Allow at least 5m from a building for a canopy that reaches 6m wide. Roots are not aggressive, but clearance protects gutters as the crown fills out.