Anyone familiar with the Pool in the north end of Central Park knows the fall beauty of black gum — also called black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica). There's a wonderfully positioned specimen there taking full advantage of the water's reflective property. A tranquil water body, like the Pool, is ideal not only to reflect the intense fall foliage, but also to sate the tree's desire for wet feet, so a pond-side planting pleases both plant and people.
Michael Dirr writes that black tupelo "would be among the top five shade trees in the landscape were it not so difficult to transplant; ideally it should be transplanted as a small tree." Unfortunately, it also grows slowly, so plant it as a gift to future generations. They'll thank you every fall when it lights up the landscape.
Black gum reflected in the calm waters of Central Park's Pool.