What is this? (it's a tree stupid!)

[Feelslikefar.]

I did this backwards today. Saw the ground covered and thought it was acorns. I walked over to them, again, thinking it was acorns without ever looking up at the tree. I was hoping it was acorns. lol

Some kind of persimmon? Some time in the late 90's I realized how inadequate my skills were in identifying trees, so I bought a field guide to trees. Some day I should look at it.

 

[Native Hunter]

That's not persimmons. It's the fruit from a Ginko (Maidenhair) Tree.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Ginko biloba.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

"female trees produce seeds encased in fleshy, fruit-like cone which, at maturity in autumn, are messy and emit a noxious, foul odor upon falling to the ground and splitting open."

Later on as I was driving back to work I thought... "Did I step in dog shit?" lmao

 

[Telemark]

I made that mistake once. I knew it was a ginkgo by the leaves, but I had never seen one fruit. I went over to see if it was something deer might like to eat. I would describe the smell as old cheese and farts, and my hands smelled like it the whole ride home.