Nyssa sylvatica

Few deciduous trees colour like the tupelo. Through autumn its lustrous deep green canopy turns from yellow through orange to a saturated scarlet that holds for weeks, on a form that is conical in youth and rounds with age. Native to eastern North America, Nyssa sylvatica also carries ornamental bark and small blue fruit that birds take readily.

In the landscape

An autumn feature and shade tree for lawns, avenues and parkland, planted singly where the colour can stand alone, or in loose groves for massed effect. Serviceable as a windbreak or tall screen, with non-invasive roots, and the bee-attracting flowers are a quiet bonus. Give it a dark evergreen backdrop and the scarlet does the rest.

Growing notes

Grows well through highland and southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria; autumn colour is strongest where nights turn cool, which is why ours are grown at 750 m. Tolerant of heavy frost, summer heat and dry spells once established. Deciduous, with steady rather than fast growth, maturing around 10–12 m tall by 6–8 m wide in the ground. Prefers deep, well-drained soil on the acidic side; avoid strongly alkaline ground.

This tree

• Height: 4.0–4.5 m
• Canopy width: 3.0–3.5 m
• Caliper: 80–100 mm
• Currently standing: 4 trees

Field-grown ex-ground at Ravensbourne Farm, root-pruned and basket-lifted, delivered and craned Australia-wide; price on application through the Shortlist.