Tree Information

Common Name: blackgum

Scientific Name: Nyssa sylvatica

Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia

Database ID: 766

Status: alive

National Champion: no

Virginia Champion: yes

Trunk Girth: 173 in.

Tree Height: 92 ft.

Crown Spread: 102 ft.

Points: 291

Date Last Measured: 2024

Last Measured by: Bob Vickers and Rudy Delsack

Date First Measured: 2008

Comments:
2026 comments: Trunk was remeasured to adjust score for the codominant leaders. Arborist Adam Klock performed the measurements in July 2026. The fused trunk was measured below the bark inclusion at about 2' above ground level. This girth measurement was 188". The girth of each leader was measured separately above the separation of the bark inclusion at about 6' above ground. The north leader measured 119" and the south leader measured 126". The composite circumference of these measurements is 173". This measurement has been used to update the score. Height and crown measurements remain the same.
2024 comments: This tree is doing well. Has codominant leaders that diverge from the stump a couple feet above ground. But the trunks are pressed against one another with included bark up to about six feet above ground. Height measured with USGS Lidar.
2014 comments: This very large double trunk gum is growing in the side yard of a private home in Falls Church. A pre-civil war farm house stands less than 50 feet from this tree. The specimen is well cared for by the owners and growing in relative safety. The tree has been cabled in the past. This tree was measured by Bob Vickers in 2014 at 175” trunk, 102’ height, 89’ crown, 299 total points.