The Facts Height: 40′ – 50’ Spread: 20′ – 30′ Sun: Full Sun Water: Medium to Wet Soil: Well-Drained Growth Rate: Slow The Wildfire Blackgum bursts to life each spring with bright red foliage followed by clusters of white blooms that provide an excellent source of nectar for pollinators and birds. These blooms give way to dark blue fruits that, while edible, are very sour and usually left to the birds. The dark green summer foliage turns to shades of scarlet