Up until now, the only use for the "spikey balls" that I knew of was as a fire starter. (Or breaking your ankle.) My neighbor collects all the balls from his tree and uses them during the winter to start his fire in his fire place.
Here in California Liquid Amber trees were all the rage a few years ago as street trees. They do have beautiful fall color. Their many negatives have finally made them go out of favor. The worst fault is that they destroy sidewalks and streets after a few years.
But to use them to keep the da@#ed squirrels out of the pots is genius if it works.
