Tallow Tree

Back in the 1970s when most of the houses in my neighborhood were built there were a lot of Chinese Tallow Trees planted here. They turned out to be a nasty invasive species, and unfortunately there are three of these trees in my yard. Their roots grow on top of the soil which is problematic when trying to use a lawn mower near them and they leave a mess year round. They seem to drop pods, seeds and twigs constantly.  I will say the seed pods do look striking against a blue sky, and now the trees that are dying attract woodpeckers. Here's a Red-bellied woodpecker on my neighbor's dead tree.