Can you take a picture? There are many trees with pods matching this description....:0)

From your description the seed pod is likely from a Honeylocust tree (Gledistia). Seed exhibit mechanical dormancy due to a thick seed coat. You can germinate by planting now and letting bacteria and fungi break down the seed coat or save the seed until spring and mechanically or chemically scarify the seeds.

Could be a Catalpa. Does DH remember what the leaves looked like? Catalpa has large heart-shaped leaves and the seeds have wings on them.

No no wings on the seeds. They look like beans.

Checkout the picture toward the bottom of the page linked to see if this is your fruit.

Here is a link that might be useful: honey locust

Okay that is it!! That is exactly what we have. Thanks so much. I will plant them in a little bit and wait for them to do their thing. Thanks so much. You folks sure know your stuff.

Honey Locust is a rather dangerous tree to have around. The common ones grow thorns up to a foot long, which are perhaps the nastiest thorns of any North American tree. I have been told that some of the African Acacias are worse, but don't know that for a fact. Not something I'd care to have on my property. The so-called Moraine locust is a thornless form, so just hope you have that variety.

George

I found a tree fruit(actually it almost hit me when a squirrel knocked it off the tree) and it looks like a small potato, a light brown. The inside is a very pale tan, almost white color. The seed is like that of a kidney bean, but has a small white patch on its upper section. Can you help me?