The Black gum tree displays strikingly beautiful scarlet red foliage each autumn.  Long before it displays its eye-popping finery scattered red leaves appear scattered about its dark green canopy.  These red leaves appear from summer into early fall during the time many migratory songbirds are migrating south for the winter.

       Some biologists theorize the red leaves literally advertise that the trees are harboring a bounty of food needed by southbound migrants to fuel their arduous migration. Supposedly, when the birds spot the leaves they fly down and inspect the tree.  When they do, they quickly find the tree laden with energy-rich half-inch dark fruits (actually drupes).

       By so doing, the birds benefit not having to expend a lot of time and energy to find food and the tree’s seeds are scattered far from the tree.