October’s autumn tones are showing more each day and one tree that’s beginning to turn which has hard-to-beat fall color is Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)! The glossy green foliage turns multiple colors from pale yellow to deep orange, and bright red to crimson. But don’t choose it based solely on fall color. It’s a great native tree that’s a go-to choice for moist to wet sites. Rarely bothered by any disease or insects, they are found growing naturally in wet woodsy sites but also on dry rocky slopes. It has a non-showy flower which bees love and then develop into dark black fruit loved by birds and wildlife. The fruit can persist until after the leaves fall adding another interesting feature. They’ll grow about 40’ x 25’ and will make a great addition to the home landscape, woodland and rain garden.