Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum.  Very prolific in our woods.  Almost "weedy."

 

Sourwood usually grows to a height of 20 - 50 feet.  They bloom in late spring in pendant clusters of white bell shaped flowers, and what we are seeing now are the resulting pendant clusters of seed pods.  The dry seed pods will stay on the trees through most of the winter.  

 

When in flower, the bees love them, turning the nectar into sourwood honey.  

 

Apparently, some tent caterpillars like them too.  I wonder which butterfly or moth creates those horrible looking tents... Thank goodness the trees are deciduous, so they can drop their leaves and grow new ones in the spring.  

 

Beginning soon, they will start showing their beautiful crimson fall color.  You can already see some young ones changing color!  Look in the underbrush on the roadsides, and you'll probably see some red sourwoods.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!