Large Seed Pod: Tree ID?

[Wombat]

During a storm a branch was knocked of this tree in front of a community center in Laguna Hills, CA. My kids picked up the loose seed pods to battle each other medieval style. 18+ inches long, heavy with a tough, woody coating. I opened one to discover the seeds in separate compartments.

I tried internet searching and ruled out Locust trees. I wonder if it might be a carob tree but I'm not convinced. I couldn't find anything that definitely matched. Any ideas?

 

[Beth_B]

Those are kind of cool, my first thought was catalpa tree seedpods but that's not the tree in your pic.

Are you near a good independent garden center where you could show them those photos and get an ID?

 

[Troy]

Google 'Poinciana' and see if that looks right?

 

[Fie]

Hi Wombat,

It really looks like a Cassia (syn. Senna)

 

[Marck]

Greetings, welcome to the Forums.

This is the Gold Medallion Tree (Cassia leptophylla) in the Legume Family (Fabaceae). Native to southern Brazil, it is now a somewhat popular street tree in the milder parts of coastal California, due to its spectacular, summertime displays of yellow flowers.