Gum

A gum tree is a name that refers to many types of trees in the myrtle family, from eucalyptus (the most well-known) to Sweetgum and Black Gum trees.Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) are beautiful, medium to large sized, deciduous trees. They originate in the eastern United States, Mexico, and Central America. The foliage typically emerges in spring a vibrant, glossy, bright green. In the fall, the trees have beautiful foliage. Fruit develops in the fall and can cause a nuisance when they drop. However, they are attractive to wildlife. They are spiky, round capsules approximately 1 to 2 inches in size.The Black Gum tree (Nyssa sylvatica), also known as the Black Tupelo tree is a majestic, medium to large sized deciduous shade trees. These trees grow to a height of 30-50 feet and a spread of 20-30 feet. In the fall, the leaves turning a stunning deep scarlet red.. They have fairly inconspicuous but nectar rich flowers attractive to bees. After the flowers, long fruits develop and ripen to a dark blue color.  The fruits are edible but very sour and more attractive to wildlife than people.