A young tree in a lawn, showing its horizontal branching (this variety)A young tree in a lawn, showing its horizontal branching (this variety)Black gum is the native tree people plant once and then recommend to everybody they know. Glossy dark green leaves all summer, then a fall show of scarlet, orange and purple that starts earlier and holds longer than almost anything else around here. Small blue fruit the birds strip out. Blocky bark like alligator hide on old trunks. Slow, long-lived, and happy in ground that stays wet.
Off-the-lot means you pick it up and plant it yourself. Planted means we deliver it, plant it right, and back it with our Year One warranty. Tap a price to add it to your list, then send the whole list to Matt in one request. Want several of one tree, or a mix? Add them all and Matt quotes the count.
What does "gallon" mean? It is the size of the container the tree is growing in, not how many trees you get. The bigger the number, the bigger and more established the tree you take home, so a 30 gallon tree gives you shade and privacy years sooner than a 15 gallon one.
Full warranty for one year after planting. This comes with any needed care and free check ups upon request. All needed treatments or pruning are included for first year. If tree fails to thrive, no cost replacement.
Picked, delivered, and planted by a Board Certified Master Arborist.
Follow-up visits through the whole first year, not a wave goodbye.
Deep root feeding and structural pruning while it takes hold.
That is the warranty. No fine print, no chasing us down.
Pick a spot with full sun to part shade. This one matures past 40 feet, so give it room: at least 20 feet from the house and 15 feet from other trees. Heavy Missouri clay is not a problem for this tree. Growth rate is slow, so you know what to expect season to season.
Not sure about your spot? Send us a photo of the yard with your quote request and we will tell you straight if it will work.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season, and step it up in July and August heat. Keep a 2 to 3 inch mulch ring around the base, pulled back from the trunk. Spring and fall are both good planting windows in mid-Missouri.
Or skip the checklist: have us plant it and Year One covers all of this. We feed it, prune it, and come back to check on it.
Request a quote and tell us where it is going. We will confirm availability, delivery, and a planting date.
Straight answers to what people ask before they buy. Anything else, just call.
The taproot. Black gum sends down a deep central root first, which is exactly what makes it so drought-tough later and so fussy about being moved. Plant it in spring rather than fall, buy it small rather than large, and do not expect much top growth for the first two or three years while it is building roots underground. After that it takes off, and it will comfortably outlive you.
It is the best native we sell for fall color, and it is the first thing to turn. Scarlet, orange, gold and deep purple often show up on the same branch, and it starts in September while everything else is still green. The leaves are also glossy, so the tree catches and throws light in a way matte-leaved trees simply do not.
Yes, and that is one of its best qualities. Black gum grows naturally in bottomland and along creek banks, so it handles poorly drained ground and even spells of standing water. It also takes real drought once established, thanks to that taproot. It does want acidic soil though, and it will sulk in shallow alkaline ground.
Yes. Every tree on the lot has an off-the-lot price, you pick it up and plant it yourself. The planted price adds delivery, planting, and the Year One warranty.
Every planted tree comes with follow-up visits, deep root feeding, and structural pruning through its first year. If the tree fails in Year One, we make it right. You can extend it to Year Two for 20 percent and Year Three for 15 percent of the planted price.
Spring and fall are both good windows. Fall planting gives the roots time to settle in before summer heat. Request a quote and we will work out timing with you.
Yes. The whole lot is open to trade buyers. Ask about volume pricing when you reach out.
Tell us the spot and the job. A Board Certified Master Arborist picks with you, plants it right, and stands behind it for Year One.
