Leaves are nondescript and often confused with those of Common Persimmon. If the leaves are glossy, turn red, or have a few remote teeth, they're Blackgum, not Persimmon. If they're not, it still could be Blackgum -- look for fruits or check the number of bundle scars (3 for Blackgum, 1 for Persimmon). Blackgum is often called tupelo in North Carolina and pepperidge in the northern US.
Leaves sometimes have a few large teeth, which can make them look a bit like those of the related Water Tupelo (N. aquatica) of swamp forests in the Coastal Plain. This is just a variable growth form, not a different variety. These leaves were in full shade at the bottom of the tree - the amount of light may have an influence on leaf shape.
Wake Co., NC 6/4/05.
Ripening drupes. They are purplish-black when ripe.
Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.
Bark of a mature tree.
The branches of Persimmon and Blackgum are more different than the leaves. In Blackgum the main branches tend to be horizontal and the leaves are clustered on short spurs of smooth branches. In Persimmon the main branches are not horizontal, the leaves are more evenly spaced on longer side branches, small branches are hairy, and the buds are blackish.
Bark of a different mature tree.
