Gardening Trees, Shrubs & Vines Trees Which Trees Produce Spiky Round Balls? Here’s How to Identify Them Only a few types of trees have spherical, prickly seed pods, and each of these spiky trees has distinctive features. Here's how to tell them apart. By Jenny Krane Jenny Krane Jenny Krane graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Magazine Journalism and English in 2017, and has worked professionally in the magazine field for 5 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 23, 2023 Reviewed by Sylvia Duax Reviewed by Sylvia Duax Sylvia Duax has over 15 years of experience as a professional Horticulturist with expertise in: sustainable garden maintenance techniques; Southeastern U.S., especially in the mid-Atlantic regional gardening; native plants; wildlife gardening; small space, urban and container gardening and community engagement. Learn about BHG's Gardening Review Board You don't have to be a trained arborist to notice that certain trees have unique traits that can help you identify them. Spiky, round seed pods are one giveaway when you're trying to figure out which types of established trees you have in your yard or that you come across in a park. These distinctive fruits can help narrow down the plant you're curious about because there are only a handful of spiky trees that make these spherical, prickly pods. While they can make it painful to walk around the yard barefoot, the good news is that the pods are only around at certain times of the year. Here's a look at which plants could be producing spiked, round balls that almost look like something from another planet. BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova Trees with Spiky Seed Pods If you've encountered some round, spiny balls under a tree or maybe still on the plant, and you're wondering what it could be, it's likely one of several options: buckeye/horsechestnut (Aesculus), chestnut (Castanea), or sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua). All are common landscape trees and produce spiky pods around their seeds. The spines help protect the seeds from being eaten by critters like birds and squirrels. Here's what each of the pods looks like. Denny Schrock Buckeye Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is usually a small to medium-size tree (20-40 feet tall) with compound leaves that have five oval-shaped leaflets. Closely related is the common horsechestnut (A. hippocastanum). It is 50-75 feet tall and usually has seven leaflets rather than five. Ohio buckeye turns orange-red to reddish-brown in fall; horsechestnuts turn yellow or brown. Both bear showy flowers in spring, which are followed by prickly or spiny capsules that split open in fall to release 1 or 2 nuts inside. Unlike actual chestnuts, the nuts of Aesculus species are toxic to people if eaten. Ed Gohlich Chestnut American chestnut (Castanea dentata) are trees with green balls and used to be one of the most widespread native trees in North America, but a fungus blight wiped out most of them. Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) or hybrids between the two species are more likely to be found nowadays. The leaves are oval-shaped with serrated edges. Fall color is yellow or bronze. The green ball-shaped fruits appear in early summer and remain on the tree until fall. The burs split open when ripe, revealing 1 to 4 edible nuts inside. Dean Schoeppner Sweet Gum Sweet gum is a native shade tree that has glossy green leaves with five points, similar to a sugar maple. Fall color can be quite dramatic, with a combination of yellows, reds, and purples. The tree produces spiky green fruits about the size of a golf ball, which turn brown and drop off the tree over an extended period beginning in fall and continuing over the winter. The spiny fruit may be used in craft projects or as mulch to deter rabbits in the garden. If you've stepped on one barefoot, you know how uncomfortable it can be, plus they can make it difficult to mow when they are all over a lawn. Frequently Asked Questions Do spiky balls from trees attract animals? The dried spiky balls from sweetgum trees that fall to the ground develop holes that reveal seeds attracting dozens of birds, butterflies, and animals. Buckeye seeds inside their spiky balls are toxic to most animals, though squirrels eat them without problems. What's the best way to get rid of spiky balls from trees? To rid trees of spiky balls, hire an arborist. They can inject or spray the tree with a product that will stop the growth of the balls on the tree. If they've fallen to the ground, use a close-tined rake and dispose of them in the trash. Can spiky balls from trees be planted? The seeds from the spiky balls can be planted to grow new trees, but not the spiky balls themselves. The seeds will need time for drying out and stratification before they're ready for planting. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit