The particular tree that I saw was growing in the middle of a 10 acre vacant field. The limbs started about 5 feet up the trunk and came out around the tree as far as the tree was tall. The tree was probably 40 feet tall when I saw it, and the trunk was ~ 2 ft. diameter. The leaves were so thick on the tree that it looked like a giant shrub from the distance. I wish I had taken a picture of the tree. It was growing in Mansfield, TX, so I might stop by there the next time I am that direction.

After looking at both leaves, I think it resembles a Shumard Oak more - the Nuttall leaves seem to be broader at the top of the leaf. I called a local nurseryman [will try to find time to run the leaves by his nursery tomorrow] and he said the Shumard Oak likes iron in the soil, something which the town of Nacogdoches, Tx up to Jacksonville, has. My town isnt as iron rich. He said its this iron that makes the red leaf color. I am wondering.........if it would be helpful to go dig up a bunch of soil from Nacogdoches and then dig a huge hole for the tree and put this supposed iron rich oil in the hole. Has anyone ever heard about nutrients making leaf color more brilliant? I like the Nutall tree also.....may have to have one of both! Judith

It looks like a black cherry to me, too, although the leaves are less elongated than mine. It might be a choke cherry -- their berries are more purplish than black and the leaves are shorter. Some black cherries are better than others. Mine is quite good, but no matter what you make out of it, it's hard to shake the feeling you are eating cough syrup. You may want to post these pictures in the Tree forum, and add a pictures of the bark as well as the full tree. Wild cherries are a common tree throughout the east coast.

Can't tell leaf arrangement on the stem very well from your photos. They almost look opposite. If opposite and if no typical 'sweet gum' smell (and no spiky 'gumballs' on the ground around it), it could be a maple, for example, Hedge Maple, Acer campestre. If so, then leaf form must be quite variable. Most photos show rounded tips.