A sleek native shade tree that flips the switch to blazing crimson fall color, the kind of autumn drama you actually want
FEATURES:
- Explosive fall color in vivid crimson red for a true “wow” autumn display
- Glossy deep green summer foliage that looks clean and refined all season
- Upright, well-structured habit that matures into a strong, elegant canopy
- Native tree with wildlife value, adding long-term landscape benefit beyond beauty
- Textured bark with age for subtle winter character and depth
- Ideal specimen shade tree for lawns, driveways, and property anchor plantings
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
If you’re planting for fall, commit to contrast. Put this near deep green evergreens or dark hedging so the crimson red reads even brighter. Add one warm-toned element nearby, copper planters, rust-colored stone, or amber grasses, and the whole autumn scene feels curated, like you hired a landscape designer who specializes in dramatic finales.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Mature Height: 40-50' tall
- Mature Width: 25-35' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun/Partial Shade
- Spacing: 25-35' apart
Red Rage Black Gum/Sour Gum
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Nyssa sylvatica 'Haymanred'
Regular priceSave 25% on All Tree Collections with code: SPRINGBEST25 at checkout.
Plant with Confidence when choosing Big & Tall Trees and Hedges!
A sleek native shade tree that flips the switch to blazing crimson fall color, the kind of autumn drama you actually want
FEATURES:
- Explosive fall color in vivid crimson red for a true “wow” autumn display
- Glossy deep green summer foliage that looks clean and refined all season
- Upright, well-structured habit that matures into a strong, elegant canopy
- Native tree with wildlife value, adding long-term landscape benefit beyond beauty
- Textured bark with age for subtle winter character and depth
- Ideal specimen shade tree for lawns, driveways, and property anchor plantings
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
If you’re planting for fall, commit to contrast. Put this near deep green evergreens or dark hedging so the crimson red reads even brighter. Add one warm-toned element nearby, copper planters, rust-colored stone, or amber grasses, and the whole autumn scene feels curated, like you hired a landscape designer who specializes in dramatic finales.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Mature Height: 40-50' tall
- Mature Width: 25-35' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun/Partial Shade
- Spacing: 25-35' apart
Why plant Red Rage Black Gum/Sour Gum?
Red Rage is for the fall-color people, and if you’re reading this, you might be one of us. All summer it’s composed and glossy, deep green leaves and a tidy, upright presence that looks intentional in the landscape. Then autumn hits and the tree shifts into its signature move: vivid crimson red that can look like the canopy is glowing from within.
It’s not just showy, it’s meaningful. As a black gum (sour gum), it’s a native tree with real ecological value, and it matures into a strong, handsome shade tree that feels like a permanent part of the property. If you want a long-lived tree that’s refined in summer and unforgettable in fall, this one is a headliner.
How to use Red Rage Black Gum/Sour Gum in the landscape?
Plant it as a specimen tree in an open lawn where the fall color can be seen from every angle and the canopy can develop naturally over time. It’s also a smart choice along a long driveway or near a front entry viewline, where the upright form stays tidy and the crimson fall display becomes a seasonal landmark. In layered designs, pair it with dark evergreens and late-season grasses so the red canopy pops and the ground plane stays textured as leaves drop. Keep the base simple with a mulch ring or low groundcover to highlight the trunk and the tree’s clean structure, and give it enough space away from hardscape so roots and canopy can settle in comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black gum does not have showy blooms. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are not an ornamental highlight. The main features are the glossy foliage, strong form, and fall color.
The fall color is vivid crimson red, known for a strong, saturated display that can stand out dramatically in the landscape.
Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant, focusing on removing dead or crossing branches and developing good structure when the tree is young. Once established, it typically needs minimal pruning to maintain its naturally clean habit.
