They are an under-used heat-loving, moderate water tree. Leaf drop in the fall, and may be a bit of flower drop.

http://plantfinder.sunset.com/sunset/plant-details.jsp?id=2210

I have one in my backyard that gets full afternoon sun all summer long and it thrives. Beautiful red fall foliage and even the bare tree is kind of pretty in the winter. Not a very fast grower though. Mine is 8 years old and about 12 feet tall (has doubled in size). It is the last deciduous tree in my yard to get its leaves in the spring.