Ogeechee Lime Nyssa ogeche

Ogeechee tupelo is a deciduous tree in the Nyssaceae family native to the coast of South Carolina down to Florida and Alabama.  The name comes from the location where it was discovered growing along the Ogeechee River in Georgia. In the wild, it grows in swamp and bay forests; lake margins, and alluvial woods. 

Ogeechee tupelo prefers full sun to partial or filtered shade and moist to wet acidic soils.  Reaching a mature heigh of 30 to 50 feet and a width of 20 to 30 feet, it has a somewhat pyramidal form when young, maturing to a spreading, flat-topped crown. It tolerates flooding and is resistant to branch breakage, but it should be protected from harsh winds.  This plant propagates from seed and root sprouts.

These trees are dioecious meating there are male and female plants.  The plants are easy to tell apart even when they are young.  The flowers are born in clusters and are not particularly showy but on female trees are followed by attractive red, edible fruits that are said to taste like limes.  In autumn the trees put on a brilliant display of colorful foliage ranging from vivid yellow to deep purple. The honey made from nectar is known as "tupelo honey."    The multiple, irregular branches emerge from a trunk covered with dark brown or grey, ridged bark, and the base of the tree often develops swollen buttress-type roots as it gets older. 

A long taproot makes it difficult to transplant, and this shade tree becomes quite large, so site this tree carefully.  Use this tree in a riparian area, pond margin, or a rain garden because it so easily withstands sites that have standing water.  It makes an addition to a wildlife garden as the flowers attract bees and songbirds to feast on the fruits in the fall.  Male trees can be used as a street tree, or female trees planted away from walkways or driveways,.  used as a lawn tree.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems, though it occasionally sufferers from scale and tupelo leaf minor for insects, and rust and leaf spot for diseases. Fruits from the tree can be messy on hardscapes, so male trees should be considered in urban enviornments.