First thing that comes to mind, especially this time of year, is Euonymus americanus.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hearts a bustin'

I think it most probably was a holly. American holly. Nelly r stevens. Chinese hollies.. All fruiting now.

I can't think of too many hollies with serrated leaves.
I can't think of any actually.

Hearts a bustin is a shrub, isn't it?

On second thought american hollies in the wild and some chinese hollies do have sharp points. Nelly r stevens doesn't though.

Euonymus is technically a shrub, yes, but you never know what someone might consider to be a tree ....

Thanks for the ideas. It was definitely a tree. The trunk was about 6-8 inches in diameter and it was maybe 15-20 feet tall. The bark on the tree was interesting. I think it was striped horizontally. I sure wish I had paid more attention and broken off a small cluster of leaves or used my camera phone! I'll go Google some hollies.
Marcia

Well it's as good a guess as any I suppose but I wouldn't tend to think they would be so showy as to stand out like that. Especially when now is the time that hollies are fruiting heavily. Aren't hearts a bustin showy in the spring?

What route did you take...mountains, piedmont or coastal??
If coastal, I would look at Ilex cassine. No spines, a tree, red berries, leaves are somewhat like Vinca minor (a bit narrower).
A native, its range does reach into Florida...

Hearts a bustin is at it's showiest now, gardningrandma - people ask about it often this time of year. It is very UNshowy in the spring; some people don't even realize it has flowers.

Back to marcia_pa, consider something like a crabapple. Here is a picture of some showy crabapple fruit:

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We were on I-77 through North Carolina. I don't think it was Ilex cassine. The leaves on this plant were very striking because they were so glossy. Floridata says that Euonymus americanus gets only 4-6 feet tall. This tree was taller and had a robust trunk. I visited Home Depot and Lowe's today here in Florida. The Burford holly leaves looked somewhat similar in their glossiness.

Thanks for all your comments. If I ever figure out what it is, I'll let you know.
Marcia

Was this a planted tree - something they planted at the rest stop? Perhaps a Foster holly then.

Except foster has spikes. Did you goodle nelly R, marcia?

I was going to mention burford holly. That and needlepoint. They're usually shrub forms but are found shaped as trees (umbrella-looking things) in parking lot islands, planters etc.

Nelly R. Looks like burfuord but gets a whole lot bigger, darker green leaves. It'll grow down in orlando probably. Maybe farther south but would probably be very difficult to source there.

I googled Nellie and Needlepoint. I guess it could have been either one, but it was limbed up (not pyramidal to the ground) and had a single trunk. Yes, it was planted in the landscaping at the rest stop, not growing wild. I looked for a name marker, but didn't see one. Whatever it was, it was a lovely specimen. (I'm not easily impressed!) Since I know I can buy the burford hollies here in Florida, I might just buy one (or two if I want berries) to satisfy my desire for a shiny leafed evergreen.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge ideas with me.
Marcia

below is a link to a nelly r on standard

Here is a link that might be useful: and if you click around, you'll see other possibilities

How about a Yaupon holly?

I'll play the no picture guessing game. Euonymus europaeus. Grows to 30 feet, becoming invasive, striped branches, periwinkle-like leaves (kinda).

tj

Nope, definitely not Euonymus europaeus. The berries weren't arranged or as numerous as on the photos I looked at of the euonymous. The leaves on this tree were thick and waxy, very glossy. I'm certain it was an evergreen. I'm sure it gets more beautiful in my memory as the time goes on :-)

It probably was some type of holly. I don't think it was a Yaupon holly. The edges of the leaves seemed to be reflexed back.

For all I know, it wouldn't grow in either PA or FL, so if I never ID it, I'll survive. But I do appreciate all the knowledge and guesses shared. Sorry I didn't take that photo!
Marcia