Native Trees for Fall Color: Black Gum and American Hornbeam

[@SpringRubber]

Black Gum is a nice tree. I live near the Turquoise Trail in Reston which has many Black Gums in the understory. They don't get the red color in Fall unless they are in full sun. In my yard is a large one, 30-40 ft, that produces the small black fruits but I've never been close enough to see the flowers, they're really quite small, indistinct. Once you see a mature tree and the bark it's easy to recognize. You can also see small hornbeam trees on this trail.