Here's a closer picture. There's actually 2 of them. This is the smaller one that's growing underneath the larger one.

then why dont you move the smaller one.. when its dormant ...

ken

Where are you?

Good point Ken that would be an option. I'm in western Illinois.

Are you sure it's a tupelo? Hard to tell, but it looks like it might be a sassafras.

the beauty of moving that one is..... wait for it...

it doesnt matter what it is....

and its a replica of what he wants ... lol

though of course.. ultimately knowing.. is knowledge.. and knowledge is power ...

ken

BTA ... last pic ... were you shooting arrows at it or something????

I like this place a lot...see link

Here is a link that might be useful: Cold Stream Farms

Check into the wildfire cultivar; reddish edged Spring foliage, rather like a red-tipped photinia. Pretty. I got one (I believe that's what it is) from Sooner Plant Farm in a smart pot of some sort, couple years back, and it's been growing surprisingly fast.

Spring is a time we often don't see as much leaf color, so this is welcome. From what I've read some believe Fall color takes a hit in exchange for the Spring show. Worthwhile trade for me. In Fall, a number of other trees are on display.

Richard.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably buy a few small ones in the spring. Sooner lists them as out of stock but I'll try musser or cold stream. I don't think I'll try to transplant the small one I have as it sounds like it likely won't survive the move. To arbordave I thought it might be sassafras as well but the guide I have says sassafras is supposed to have 3 different shapes of leaf on the same tree and all this plant's leaves look alike I think but I'll double check in spring when it leafs out again.

I'm with arbordave. When I first opened this thread yesterday, my immediate reaction to the pic was you are dealing with sassafras.

Blackgum trunk in VA where I lived: