Why Plant Firestarter® Black Gum?
Don’t call the fire department! Your heart will skip a beat every time you catch a glimpse of your Firestarter® Tupelo Tree in fall, all lit up in blazing red foliage. Then you’ll remember that it’s supposed to look like it’s in flames. This tree’s five-alarm foliage rivals that of many Red Maples in fall, but Firestarter® has a narrower, more upright shape than most Maples, making it useful where a Red Maple would grow too wide.
The Tupelo Tree is undergoing a renaissance. Although it is native to much of the eastern U.S., only in recent years have many people begun to realize what a fantastic tree it is. What’s not to love? It’s easy to grow, tolerates wet or dry conditions, doesn’t have any major pest issues, and offers spectacular autumn color! Firestarter™ is a new Tupelo introduction that was selected at J. Frank Schmidt Nursery in Boring, Oregon, in 2005. The tree stood out from a large crop of seedlings with its upright habit, its particularly dark green summer foliage, and its vivid autumn color. It also turns color earlier in the fall than many other Tupelos.
How to use Firestarter® Black Gum in the landscape?
Choose a site for your Firestarter® Tupelo where it can live out a long, glorious life, because this legacy tree will enchant many generations to come. Tupelo is the longest-lived deciduous shade tree in the eastern U.S. In 2000, researchers found the oldest yet: a 679-year-old tree in New Hampshire! Plant it within your mixed borders or out in the lawn. This tough, adaptable beauty even makes a stellar street tree!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Firestarter® Black Gum
Grow Firestarter® Tupelo in full sun to bring out the richest coloration in its fall foliage. This tree will also do well in part shade, though its autumn color will be more subdued there. Firestarter® is perfect for that low spot in your yard that stays soggy after a rain, and it tolerates some drought once established, too. A leaf spot disease sometimes afflicts Tupelos, but it is no cause for alarm.
How To Water
Water weekly, or better yet, use the Bower & Branch® Water Element to deliver just the right amount of moisture to your tree throughout the growing season.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
Pruning, though rarely necessary, should be accomplished in the fall.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
