Question
I have lived at my current residence for 3 years.  I have a medium sized tree that this year produced some strange acorns or seeds in green slimy pods that have little fingers all around them, and the squirrels seem to love.  After they have been dropped by the tree, they turn brown.  Each "pod" produces one to several seeds in a cluster.  No one has ever seen such a thing and we can't identify.  I live in Illinois.  The leaves are about the size of a small hand, and have jagged edges.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Traci,
Thanx for your question.  These questions are always difficult because everyone seems to have a unique way to describe things.  Can you be more specific about the pod?  Is it round like a ball, elongated like a banana, flat, spiny, smooth, green, brown, black?  What do the seeds look like inside?  Is there any way you could post a picture?
thx,
Tom