Habitat: Tidal and non-tidal swamp forests, depression ponds and swamps, wet flatwoods, floodplain forests, mesic and dry-mesic upland forests, and old fields; most abundant in and characteristic of disturbed and early-successional vegetation.
Wildlife value: Supports Imperial Moth and Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis) larvae. Songbirds, like the American goldfinch eat the seeds during the winter and birds probe inside fruits in winter for invertebrates. Beavers, mice and rabbits eat the bark.
Notes: One of the most durable and best performing native trees. Stunning fall color. Needs a large area for root development. The prickly gumballs might be unwelcome on a sidewalk or where people run around barefoot. 'Rotundiloba' variety does not produce gumballs.