You know fall foliage is on the way when you see the brilliant red leaves of the black gum. This wide-ranging native tree is among the first to change its colors. Use the leathery, polished leaves to decorate your mantelpiece and they won’t curl and dry as easily as thin maple leaves. Other common names for the tree are pepperidge, black tupelo, and sour gum; the last name refers to the acid, sour pulp, blue-black berries that ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, and many mammals eat. In spring, bees use nectar from its flowers to make honey.

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