Down-Up Algebras From Trees

It is shown that the global dimension of any n-ary down-up algebra A _n  = A(n,α, β,γ) is less than or equal to n + 2, and when γ _i  = 0 for all i (A _n is graded by total degree in the generators), then the global dimension of A _n is n + 2. Furthermore, a sufficient condition for A _n to be prime is given; when γ _i  = 0 for all i this condition is also necessary. An example is given to show that the condition is not always necessary.