The leaves on the tree were very young and had not uncurled yet.

The seed pods and leaves remind me of Yellow Oleander. I'm not sure they grow trunks like that though.

Intriguing!
More info needed.
Pic 2
Does that tree trunk belong to the tiny leaves we are seeing?
Presume it was found in the wild in USA not in a Botanical garden.
If it was in New Zealand then there a few possibilities but those are unlikely to be in the wild in USA...a botanical garden then maybe.
Are pics taken recently?

Pictures were this weekend and they were along a road in a industrial park next to a ditch. That is the trunk, but I can do better. What else should I get?

The pod could be a gall? Maybe?

sallyg said: The pod could be a gall? Maybe?

I thought of that... Cut one open and see what's inside.

I'm thinking immature leaves of Quercus phellos, willow oak. The "fruit" would be a gall.

KellyFW said: I'm thinking immature leaves of Quercus phellos, willow oak. The "fruit" would be a gall.

That works.
Quercus phellos with a gall.
Quote...."Willow Oak is one of the most familiar large trees in North Carolina. Abundantly planted"
See pic 1 of 13 in link below.
https://landscapeplants.oregon...

sallyg said: The pod could be a gall? Maybe?

I didn't even think about that. Although, I did see several "galls", but that is a definite possibility. I'll check that out as well. You guys are always giving me fun things to go out and look for!😄

I thought I posted these I must have put them in the wrong forum. I took some shots today and yeah it's definitely willow oak The leaves were just too young to really make you aware of that and silver surfer was right I did Photograph the wrong trunk.





Just look really strange the other day.

Just- emerged leaves can look so strange.