Green Gable™ Black Gum (Tupelo)

An exceptional selection that addresses the ornamental pear problem while delivering superior performance and native wildlife value. Discovered in 2002 by Alex Neubauer, 'Green Gable' was introduced as the ideal replacement for Bradford pear—offering the pyramidal form and uniform branching that landscapers loved in pears, but with the ecological benefits, structural integrity, and adaptability of a superior native tree. The cultivar received the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal in 2023 [1], cementing its status as one of the most significant blackgum introductions of the modern era.

Size & Form: Matures at 40-50 feet tall by 20-30 feet wide. The distinctive upright pyramidal silhouette with extremely uniform branching creates the "gable-shaped" canopy that inspired its name. Upsweeping branches and a dominant central leader develop naturally without extensive pruning, making this one of the most architecturally refined blackgums available. Unlike typical seedlings that often exhibit floppy, irregular form in youth, 'Green Gable' maintains its shape from planting through maturity—a trait that significantly reduces production time in nurseries and ensures consistency in the landscape.

Features: Lustrous deep green foliage that's glossier than typical blackgums provides a polished appearance through summer before erupting into brilliant scarlet-red fall color. The increased leaf luster isn't just ornamental—it correlates with improved resistance to leaf spot diseases that occasionally plague the species. In late spring, small greenish-white flowers appear as leaves unfold, providing nectar for pollinators (these flowers produce the famous tupelo honey prized for its buttery flavor and light floral notes). As the tree matures, bark develops the characteristic deeply furrowed, blocky "alligator hide" texture that adds significant winter interest.

'Green Gable' is primarily male, producing little to no fruit, which reduces mess in formal landscapes and parking areas. However, like most blackgums, it's polygamo-dioecious—meaning it occasionally produces perfect flowers that can set some fruit, particularly when planted near other blackgums. This occasional fruiting maintains some wildlife value without creating the heavy fruit drop of female selections.

Wildlife Benefits: Despite being mostly male, 'Green Gable' retains the critical ecological functions of the species. The spring flowers provide essential nectar for native bees and honeybees when few other sources are available. Any fruit produced is extraordinarily high in fats and nutrients, eagerly consumed by migrating and resident songbirds including robins, thrushes, woodpeckers, cedar waxwings, and bluebirds. The tree serves as larval host for numerous native moths and butterflies. As blackgums age, they often develop hollow trunks while remaining structurally sound, providing valuable cavity nesting sites for owls, woodpeckers, and other wildlife.

How to Use: 'Green Gable' excels as a street tree, parking lot tree, or shade tree where its pyramidal form, uniform branching, and minimal fruiting are assets. The tight, upright habit works beautifully in confined urban spaces where spreading forms wouldn't fit. Outstanding salt tolerance and adaptability to wet sites make it ideal for rain gardens, bioswales, parking islands, and other challenging locations where de-icing salt or poor drainage would eliminate other species. Use as a specimen tree where its gable-shaped silhouette creates architectural presence, or plant in rows for street tree applications. The tree performs exceptionally well in compacted urban soils with low oxygen levels—conditions that challenge many other species.

Site in full sun to partial shade in moist, acidic, well-drained soils, though 'Green Gable' proves remarkably adaptable to both wetter sites with poor drainage and drier upland conditions once established. The strong taproot provides excellent wind resistance and drought tolerance after establishment. Plant young and in a permanent location, as the taproot makes transplanting difficult later. Hardy Zones 5-9. Minimal maintenance required; naturally deer-resistant.

[1] https://phsonline.org/phs-news/phs-announces-2023-gold-medal-plant-winners

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