Even though the Swamp Tupelo tree, Nyssa sylvatica, is commonly found growing in wet swampy areas. This tree grows well on dry soil profiles. Often the trunks of the Swamp Tupelo tree when submerged in water become enlarged into a swollen base that when hollowed out is used as a bee hive. Bee keepers search for stands of the Swamp Tupelo trees, because the flowers are visited by swarms of bees that make the pollen into the famous and unique Tupelo Honey.

The Tupelo tree fruit-like berry is an important wildlife food in the fall, when other food is scarce. Ducks, turkeys and many other wildlife animals flock into the groves of Swamp Tupelo tree berries, along with white- tailed deer that eat the leaves and twigs. Swamp Tupelo trees are excellent landscape specimens, because the pink, red, and orange leaf color change in the fall that is spectacular.