AFTER YEARS of choosing trees at nurs-
eries, creating species lists, and participating in the
greater dialogue, we city foresters think we know
it all when it comes to trees. What I knew about
tupelo was that it has gorgeous magenta fall color;
it's native in my region and grows in small numbers
near ponds and swamps; it is difficult to transplant
due to a vigorous taproot; nurseries don't grow
many tupelo because it is slow-growing (and again
the taproot issue); it has a twisty, flattening top that
can become a form issue along streets when young;
and it can do very well long term and create interest
if you can get it to survive. Over the years, I'd been
planting tupelos in limited numbers as part of an
effort to diversify Providence's canopy. There are
several individuals growing next to lakes in Roger
Williams Park, and there's one fabulous mature
tupelo (24 inches/61 cm DBH and 60 feet/18.3 m
tall) along the street on the east side of town.
So, what the heck? Tupelos grow in groves? Why are
there no others to be seen nearby? Why are these
trees growing on a hilltop instead of next to a pond
or stream? Why are they so straight and tall? I never
thought of tupelos growing on Cape Cod. (I'm sure a
forest ecologist would answer, "I did!") Regardless, it
was intoxicating to think that I might be the first to
recognize as tupelo this grove tucked into woods so
infrequently traveled. And then there was the burning
question that became my obsession: if there are other
tupelo groves within the Outer Cape, where are they?
Doug Still leads small groups on walks to see the tupelo grove and other flo a
on Gross Hill Woods Trail in Wellfleet The Gross Hill tupelo grove was the
first th t the author encountered; here, it's shown in early March, 2021.
32 CityTREES
