9. Black Tupelo

Head on the pathway above the Freeman maple. Follow the path straight onto another grassy area; the black tupelo specimen will be on the right as you walk on the open grass. Black tupelo has a relatively unassuming natural habitat in watered lowlands. Hence, despite its stunning fall colors, the slow-growing black tupelo requires extensive care and watering at the Arboretum. A related species, Camptotheca acuminata (Xi Shu or cancer tree), can be seen on the mountain-facing side of the Arboretum herb garden; Xi Shu has been used for millennia in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancer.