These huge trees can easily reach heights of over 100' in their life time, providing ample amounts of shade. It prefers moist acidic soils in well drained areas, but is tolerant of wetter and shadier conditions. The larger yellow flowers are a great nectar source for birds and insects from May through June. The seeds later become food for many birds and mammals. This unique genus of tree was recently discovered to be neither a hardwood or a softwood trees, currently in a unlabeled designation of it's own. They're also great for carbon intake and storage.  Research paper on the findings.