Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow . Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Sumter County Hort Agent Chase Smoak grew up roaming the woodlands near his family farm in Pinewood, learning the native trees and perennials found there. He drew upon that knowledge in a recent fact sheet he wrote for Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center on Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica, also called tupelo gum. If you want brilliant