Black Gum

Mountain Laurels Bloom

Mountain laurels finally bloom

Mountain laurel flowers open up and it happens around late may to early june. They come in both pink and white. The flowers die off quickly by July.

Newly bloomed pink mountain laurels Warm early summer white mountain laurel cluster Pink mountain laurel bush during late May White mountain laurels on velvety leaves

Mountain laurels have velvety leaves and the plant itself can sometimes reach 15 feet tall.

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Black Gum

Blackgum late summer foliage
Black gum late summer foliage
Blackgum bark
Black gum bark

Black gum trees are some of the more unique trees that are found in the pine barrens. Very dense forests with them are found within both Sooy Preserve and Michael Huber Preserve. This species is found in both wetland and upland environments.

Blackgum twig leaves
Leaves changing color in late August