This type of tree is planted in hedge rows. They have long spiky thorns and very hard wood which throws dangerous sparks when burned. Birds eat the seeds of the decayed "hedge apples". The area that the houses are on was farm land and the hedgerows border some of the houses, unfortunately. The fruit have fallen from 40 feet in my garden area and they weigh up to 2 pounds. My neighbor who adjoined my property and owned the trees. After 15 years of dodging these cannon balls he relented and I had them cut down. Now you know...